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License Your Pet Today


First-time pet licensees receive one FREE custom designer tag through DocuPet, the official pet licensing partner of Long Beach Animal Care Services.

License Your Pet Today

How Pet Licensing Works

Step 1: Create Your Account

Step 2: Add Your Pet's Information

Step 3: Upload Vaccine Records

Step 4: Receive Your Tag by Mail


Residents may also submit a paper application by mail instead of applying online. Remember to select the corresponding city the pet lives in then download the application.

Mail In License Form

Use promo code LONGBEACH100 at checkout to receive a FREE upgraded tag with your order.

Benefits of Pet Licensing

pet reunionPet Reunion

Found pets are reunited quickly with their owner, or rushed to the appropriate veterinarian if severely injured througg the fast track licensing program.

free ride homeFree Ride Home

Your pet gets a free ride home when it is found. City staff will attemt to deliver your oet home to you immediately, skipping a trip to the animal shelter.

extended stayExtended Stay

When found, your licensed pet will be cared for at the animal shelter for a longer period of time (up to 10 days rather than 5 days) prior to being put up for adoption.

pet alertVacation Pet Alert

When you leave home on vacation, go to Docupet to register where your pet will be while you are on vacation, who will be taking care of your pet, and where to reach you.

Does your pet need a license? 

Dog License

No person responsible for any dog shall have such dog, male or female, over the age of four (4) months, within the city without at all times having upon such dog a collar or harness to which shall be securely fastened a tag as provided in this chapter. Said tag may be issued at any time during the calendar year and may be issued for twelve (12) months. The tag shall be obtained from the director, inscribed with the letters and words "LONG BEACH" and the tag's serial number. The tax shall be sufficient only during the period the tag is issued.

Dog Licenses are required in the cities below per their municipal codes listed.

Cat License

Cat Licenses are required in the cities below per their municipal codes listed.

No person responsible for any cat shall have such cat, male or female, over the age of four (4) months, within the city without at all times having upon such cat either a tag as provided in Subsection B.1. below, or a microchip as provided in Subsection B.2. below.

1. Tag 

The tag shall be securely fastened to a collar or harness, as provided in this chapter. Said tag may be issued at any time during the calendar year and may be issued for a period of twelve (12) months. The tag shall be obtained from the director, inscribed with the letters and words "LONG BEACH" and the tag's serial number. The tag shall be sufficient only during the period the tag is issued.

2. Microchip

In place of the tag and collar described in Subsection B.1. above, a person responsible for a cat may instead ensure that the cat bears an identifiable microchip. For the purposes of this chapter, the term "microchip" shall mean the injection of an identification chip below the skin of an animal performed by a veterinarian, registered veterinary technician or other qualified staff. The person responsible for such cat shall obtain an annual license at such times and in the manner as specified in Section 6.08.030

 Canine Rabies Innoculation Exemption Forms
 Microchipping Information

FAQ

 

  • Can I still mail in my application with DocuPet?

    Yes. You can still mail in your pet license application if you prefer. DocuPet provides additional online options, but mail-in applications are still accepted.

  • Did switching to DocuPet cost taxpayers more money?

    No. The transition to DocuPet did not increase costs for taxpayers. All pet licensing fees continue come back to Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS).

  • Do I still qualify for a free pet tag?

    Yes. If you are licensing your pet for the first time, you will still receive a free pet tag. Upgraded tags are completely optional. You can choose to purchase a premium tag for an additional fee, but a free standard tag is still available to first-time license holders.

  • What are the benefits of the DocuPet tag?

    Each license tag includes a unique identification code linked to your pet's secure online profile and provides access to HomeSafe®, DocuPet's 24/7 lost pet recovery service. This helps reunite lost pets with their families more quickly. 

  • What are the licensing penalties?

    Late Penalty 
    Pet licenses (dog and cat) are required to be renewed annually. Pet owners have 60 days from the license expiration date to renew their pet license. After 60 days, a late penalty is assessed. After 90 days, citations may be issued.

    Administrative Citations
    Long Beach Municipal Code Chapter 6.16 provides for the issuance of administrative citations for Long Beach Municipal Code violations. The administrative citation program and the establishment of appropriate fines are intended to act as a reasonable deterrent in preventing Municipal Code violations. 

    Fine Schedule 
    Each day a violation exists constitutes a separate and distinct offense. Fines are imposed as follows. A $100 fine will be imposed for the initial violation. A $200 fine will be imposed for each instance of a second violation of the same code section committed within one year from the date of the initial violation. A $250 or $500 fine, depending on the violation, will be imposed for any subsequent violation of the same code section committed within one year from the date of the initial violation.

    Note: All penalties and violation fines are cumulative.

    Consequence of Failure to Pay the Fine
    Failure to pay fine(s) within the specified time period may result in a 25% late charge, imposition of a special assessment and/or lien against the real property on which the violation occurred, filing of a claim with the small claims court for recovery of the fine and all costs associated with such filing, suspension and/or revocation of any City permits, business licenses, or land use approvals, or any legal remedy available to the City to collect such money. 

    Rights of Appeal 
    A Cited Party may appeal administrative citations and imposed levies. For cited code violations, the appeal must be requested within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of service of the Citation. In order to appeal, a completed Request for Hearing form together with a deposit in the total amount of outstanding fine(s), late charges, and/or levies must be submitted to the appropriate bureau that issued the citation (see below). Requesting an appeal does not relieve the Cited Party from the requirement to correct all code violations as specified. 

    Generally, the only relevant evidence considered for appeal is whether the violations(s) existed on the date and time the Administrative Citation was issued, whether the Cited Party is the Responsible Person who caused or maintained the violation(s), and whether imposed levies resulting from failure of a Responsible Person to correct the violations, were reasonably calculated based upon abatement costs incurred by the City. If an appeal is denied, the entire deposit shall be retained by the City as payment in full of outstanding fines, late fees, and/or levies. 

    If an appeal is upheld, the entire deposit shall be refunded to the Cited Party within thirty (30) business days from the date of the written appeal decision. Failure to properly file a written appeal within the appropriate time frame shall constitute a waiver of the Cited Party's right to appeal and seek judicial review. 

    How to Pay Your Fine
    The amount of your fine is indicated on the front of this citation. You are required to pay your fine in full by the Correction Date noted on the citation. Please mail in your payment with the attached payment remittance slip to the bureau indicated on the citation. 

    By Mail: Payment may be made by personal check, cashier's check, or money order payable to the City of Long Beach. 

    At Animal Care Services: Payment may be made by Discover, MasterCard, Visa, debit card, personal check, cashier's check, or money order payable to the City of Long Beach.

    Please write your citation number on your check or money order. 

    Payment of the fine shall not excuse the failure to correct the violation nor shall it bar further enforcement action by the City of Long Beach.

    Citations issued by the Animal Care Services Bureau: 
    Submit payments and appeals to: 

    Animal Care Services Bureau
    7700 E. Spring Street
    Long Beach CA 90815 

    Request for Hearing Forms and Hardship Waiver Forms are available at Animal Care Services and online.

  • What are the licensing fees?

    Starting October 1, 2023, all residents of the City of Long Beach and its contract cities of Cerritos, Los Alamitos, and Signal Hill will be subject to the following dog license fees. Cat licenses are only applicable to Long Beach residents. Senior rates are available for residents aged 60 or above.

    License Fee Name 12-Month Fee
    Dog - Unaltered  $250.00
    Dog Unaltered - Senior Resident $125.00
    Dog - Altered $28.00
    Dog Altered - Senior Resident $14.00
    Dog - Vicious Animal  $1,125.00
    Cat Altered (Long Beach residents only) $12.00
    Cat Altered - Senior Resident (Long Beach residents only) $6.00
    Replacement License Tag $10.00
    Animal License Late Fee $15.00

  • Why Is The City Making Us License Our Cats?

    Municipal law requires that all cats over the age of four months be licensed as a rabies control measure. Making sure your pet has its current license attached to its collar also is your best insurance of having your pet returned to you in case he or she becomes lost or gets out of your yard. The pet license also lets us know if your pet is currently vaccinated against rabies. The money received from pet license fees helps the department continue to provide quality animal care and control services 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

    Effective Friday July 16th, 2010, all cats within the City of Long Beach are required to have an ANNUAL (12 Month) license, including permanent tag and/or microchip.

  • Where Can I Get My Cat Spayed Or Neutered? What If I Need Assistance?

    By municipal code, all cats are required to be spay or neutered. Contact a veterinarian clinic regarding this procedure.

  • My Cat Is An Indoor Cat. Why Do I Have To Get It Licensed If It Never Goes Outside?

    Municipal law requires that every cat four months of age or older must have a current license tag fastened to its collar or microchip. Even pets that "never leave the house" or property have a way of getting out through accidentally open doors, gates, or windows. Also, a natural disaster like an earthquake or fire may cause your pet to flee the safety of your property. Having a pet license on its collar, and/or microchip, will help reunite your lost pet with you.

  • My Cat Is Already Microchipped, Do I Still Need A License?

    Yes, you still need your cat licensed. A microchip can be a substitute for a license tag.

  • My Cat Won't Wear A Collar. How Do I Get It To Wear A License Tag?

    Unfortunately, some cats cannot tolerate wearing a collar. That is why Animal Care Services will accept a microchip in-lieu of a collar and license tag. When a cat ends up at shelter we will scan it for a microchip. Just remember to keep your details up-to-date so we can return her to you! In the City of Long Beach, responsible cat owners have the option of either a collar tag or microchip.

  • Why Should My Cat Receive A Rabies Vaccination?

    According to the California Health Department's Compendium of Rabies Control , Section B.4(e) "Cats are now the most frequently reported domestic rabid animals in the United States". "Feline rabies vacccination is strongly recommended for ALL cats". Feline licensing and identificaiton programs at the local level and use of triennial vaccines are strongly endorsed by the National Association of State Public Heath Veterinarians.

  • I Heard Rabies Shots Were Bad For Cats. Is This True?

    All Vaccinations come with their own set of risks. The public health significance of rabies far outweighs the extremely low risk of a sarcoma developing at a vaccination site. Therefore, feline rabies immunization in California is strongly indicated and may be mandatory in the City of Long Beach.

  • How Often Do I Need To Get A Rabies Shot?

    In the past, veterinarians prescribed annual vaccines. Now veterinarians may recommend that they be given every three years to cats at low risk. Researchers have found that vaccines often provide immunity far beyond one year, reducing the need for frequent revaccinations. Rabies vaccinations at certain intervals may be required by law. Your veterinarian must follow the law. However, you can ask your state licensed veterinarian about testing your cat's rabies antibodies. If the level is high enough, your veterinarian may formally file a written request for a one-year rabies vaccination deferment by completing the following form (FELINE ANTI-RABIES INOCULATION TEMPORARY DEFERMENT FORM) and submitting the completed form to Animal Care Services.

  • Who Owns A Cat When Everyone Is Feeding It?

    The Long Beach Municipal Code defines it in the following manner:

    6.04.025 - Person responsible-Defined.

    Whenever in this Title 6 of the Long Beach Municipal Code, the words "person responsible" are used, they shall mean any person owning, having a proprietary interest in harboring or having the care, charge, control, custody or possession of an animal.

    It is no longer acceptable for cats to be considered items to be simply discarded with the assumption that "someone else will take care of it". Cats have value and anyone feeding (having the care) of a cat can be considered the Person Responsible. A Person Responsible will need to ensure cats are altered (pursuant to LBMC 6.16.085), vaccinated, and licensed.