Pet Licensing
Online Pet Licensing
Is your pets license on hold?
If your pet license is on hold for a current rabies certificate, proof of spay/neuter, or proof of age please e-mail your documents to petlicensing@cityofmissionviejo.org
Licensing Laws
All dogs over the age of four (4) months in the cities of:
- Mission Viejo
- Laguna Niguel
- Aliso Viejo
- Laguna Hills
- Rancho Santa Margarita (including areas of Robinson Ranch, Dove Canyon, Rancho Cielo, Trabuco Highlands and Walden)
are required to have and wear a current license tag. Cat licenses are recommended, but not required by law. Your pet's license is proof of its valid rabies vaccination, as well as its best chance to return safely home.
If you reside in Las Flores, please visit ocpetinfo.com.
If you have any licensing questions, contact us at 949-470-3045 or petlicensing@cityofmissionviejo.org.
Purchase a License
To purchase a license, you must provide proof of your pet's current rabies vaccination. If your pet has been spayed or neutered, you may license it at a reduced rate by providing proof of alteration. Pet owners over the age of 55 may license their pets at a reduced rate by providing proof of their age.
To purchase a new license, use the link under "Online Pet Licensing" at the top of this page to purchase your new pet license now, or you may print and complete the license application below and mail the required documents.
Pet Licensing Fees
PetHub License Tag
Canine Rabies Vaccination Exemption Requests
California Health and Safety Code 121690 states in part that an exemption may be granted for the rabies vaccine on an annual basis if "a rabies vaccination would endanger the dog's life." The law also requires the condition warranting the exemption be verified and documented by a veterinarian. To apply for a rabies vaccination exemption, please complete the following legally required forms below, accompanied by no more than 5 pages of medical records that indicate a rabies vaccine would endanger the life of the dog. Return forms and application fee to OC Animal Care at 1630 Victory Road, Tustin CA 92782.
- See the Rabies Exemption Form and Rabies Exemption Details for more details.
- All requests must be accompanied by no more than 5 pages of medical records. Written letters from veterinarians will not be accepted in lieu of records.
If approved, exemptions are valid for one year only. If the animal is unable to be immunized the following year, a new exemption request must be submitted.
A $65.00 non-refundable fee applies to all requests received by OC Animal Care on or after September 1, 2018. Payment should be remitted along with forms and supporting documentation. Make check payable to OC Animal Care. Rabies exemption requests that are received without the application fee (as well as incomplete requests) will not be processed.
Potential applicants are encouraged to review the established criteria for exemption carefully as the fee is non-refundable.
Why is a license required for my dog?
In California, dogs are required to have a license primarily for public safety and animal welfare reasons. The key reasons for this requirement include:
Identification and Return of Lost Pets: A dog license serves as a form of identification for the animal. If a licensed dog goes missing, it is easier for animal control officers and staff to reunite the pet with its owner. The license tag includes a unique identification number and contact information for the owner. Our new tags include a QR code which allows you to keep your pet's important data organized, from any device, anywhere at any time. Anyone can reconnect you and your pet. With a quick QR scan or call to PetHub's 24/7 hotline, your pet gets home quickly.
Rabies Control: Licensing involves verifying that your dog(s) has been vaccinated against rabies. This helps control the spread of this potentially deadly disease, protecting both the public and other animals.
Population Control: Licensing encourages responsible pet ownership by requiring owners to provide proof of spaying or neutering. This helps in controlling the population of stray and unwanted animals, reducing the number of homeless animals in animal shelters.
Public Safety: Ensuring that dogs are licensed helps authorities keep track of the dog population in a community. It can be crucial for public safety in instances where a dog is involved in an incident or poses a potential threat.
Dog licensing in California serves a dual purpose of providing a means of identification and supporting public safety initiatives, such as rabies control and responsible pet ownership.
