Alachua County Animal License
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Who needs an Alachua County animal license? Licensing of dogs, cats, and ferrets four months
of age or older is required in Alachua County.
Those relocating to our community with their pets have 30 days to
comply. A tag or license from another county does not fulfill the Alachua
County licensing requirements.
Additionally, all dogs and cats must wear their license
tag at all times except during recognized sporting or exhibition events.
True Why do I need a license? A license is proof that your pet is registered
with Alachua County and is mandated by Chapter 72 of the Alachua County Code. The license tag acts as identification if
your pet is ever lost, and it serves as proof that your pet is currently
vaccinated against rabies. If a lost pet
comes to Alachua County Animal Resources wearing a currently registered license
tag, they are held for longer than the usual three business days while we try
to make contact with the owner.
False What do I need to get my pet licensed?
Current rabies vaccination is a prerequisite to
licensing. Licenses may be obtained, in
conjunction with rabies vaccination, from any of the 13 participating
veterinary practices in Alachua County. Rabies
vaccination and/or licenses may also be obtained from Animal Resources at 3400
NE 53rd Avenue in Gainesville (Tu-Fr 10:30am-2:00pm). False How do I apply in person? If your pet has already been properly vaccinated against
rabies, simply bring your rabies vaccination certificate with you to Alachua
County Animal Resources and pay the annual licensing fee. You will receive your pet license and tag at
that time. Our shelter is open to the
public Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30am to 5:30pm. False How do I apply by fax? You may also fax a copy of your current rabies
vaccination certificate to Alachua County Animal Resources. Our fax number is 352-955-2542. Please include a contact number so that we
may call you and receive payment over the telephone. We accept Visa and MasterCard. With processing it usually takes about 2-3
weeks to receive your license tag through the US Mail.
False How do I apply by mail? You may also mail a copy of your current rabies
vaccination certificate to Alachua County Animal Resources along with a check or
money order for the annual licensing fee.
Please do not send cash through the mail. Our mailing address is 3400 NE 53rd Avenue,
Gainesville, FL 32609, Attn: Licensing.
Please include a contact number so that we may call you if there are any
questions or if your pet is ever found and brought to Animal Resources. With processing it usually takes about 2-3
weeks to receive your license tag through the US Mail.
False How do I apply by email? You may also email a copy of your current rabies vaccination certificate to Animal Resources. Our email is  acas@alachuacounty.us. Please include a contact number so that we may call you and receive payment over the telephone. We accept Visa and MasterCard. With processing it usually takes about 2-3 weeks to receive your license tag through the US Mail.
False What is the cost? Beginning in 2018 there will simply be two kinds of
animal licenses in Alachua County – sterilized
and microchipped or not sterilized
and/or microchipped. The fees for
each are $10 and $40 respectively, and renewal will be
on an annual basis regardless of whether one-year or three-year rabies vaccines
are administered. The new license tags
come with a six digit number that will be good for the life of your pet unless
the tag is lost or stolen. In those
cases replacement tags are available from Animal Services for a small fee.
Those with existing Alachua County animal licenses
need not renew until their current licenses expire.
False Why does it cost more if my pet is not sterilized and microchipped? Because Alachua County recognizes that spaying and
neutering is the most effective method for reducing shelter animal intake and
community nuisances caused by dogs and cats, and that microchips dramatically
increase the chance of reunification of lost pets with their owners, a
substantial discount off the annual license fee will be afforded to owners of
animals that are both sterilized and microchipped.
Animal Resources offers microchipping as a
service to the public for only $20 per animal. False My pet is too sick to be vaccinated. Do I still need a license? Yes, even if your pet cannot be vaccinated, they
are still required to be licensed. You
will need to bring a written statement from your veterinarian exempting your
animal from the rabies vaccination prerequisite. You may then purchase a license over the
counter at Animal Resources. Medical
exemptions are only good for one year.
False I'm a seasonal resident or a student. Do I still need a license? Yes, if you reside in Alachua County with your pet
for more than 30 days, you are required to register your pet with Alachua
County as mandated by Chapter 72 of the Alachua County Code. A tag or license from
another county does not fulfill the Alachua County licensing requirements.
False What if I lose my license tag? As long as
the rabies vaccination is still current, you can purchase a replacement tag
through Alachua County Animal Resources.
A replacement tag is only $5 and, beginning in 2018, will remain current
for one year after the date the original license was issued.
False What if I sell or give my pet away? If you sell or give away your pet, the new owner will need to license the pet in their name. Licenses are not transferrable between owners. Additionally, the previous owner is resonsible for making sure that the pet's microchip is transferred into the new owner's name. False
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