Pet licensing is essential because it verifies your pet’s rabies vaccination, helps protect public health, and ensures lost pets can be safely and quickly reunited with their families. San Jose Animal Services partners with DocuPet for licensing. 

Who Can Get Pet Licenses at the San José animal CAre Center?

Residents of the following incorporated cities should license pets with San José Animal Care & Services:

• San José
• Milpitas
• Cupertino
• Saratoga

For pet owners who reside in the incorporated cities of San José, Cupertino, Milpitas, or Saratoga, we offer three options to make purchase or renewal of pet licenses convenient for you:

• Online
  You may buy or renew online followed by a faxed, emailed, or mailed copy of the vaccination and spay/neuter certificate, if applicable. You will need to have your rabies certificate and spay / neuter certificate with you as you complete the online forms. Senior exemptions cannot be completed online.
• By Mail
  Download the Animal License Application Form and mail it with your payment to the address on the form. Remember to include a copy of the vaccination and spay / neuter certificate, if applicable. We accept checks for mailed payments. The Animal License Application Form is also available in Spanish, Vietnamese, and Traditional Chinese.
• In Person
  You may purchase a pet license six days a week at the San José Animal Care Center located at 2750 Monterey Road, San José, CA, 95111. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and checks, and cash for in-person payments.

In order to license your pet, you must have proof of current rabies vaccination. You can get the rabies vaccine from your local veterinarian or a vaccine clinic. Here are some vaccine clinics near you.

License information

*Late fees are imposed for any application received more than thirty (30) days after the dog became four months old, more than thirty (30) days after the date the dog was acquired or brought into the city, or more than thirty (30) days after expiration of previously issued license. Reduced license fees are available for dogs or cats that have been spayed or neutered, cannot be spayed or neutered for health reasons, or are incapable of breeding.

Pet Licenses for Seniors

Senior exemptions are offered to pet owners that are 65 years or older. A valid driver's license or birth certificate is required for proof of age. San José, Cupertino, and Saratoga allow one licensing per household and the pet must be spayed an neutered. Milpitas allows one free license per household. 

If you are applying for senior exemption, you may not use the online option. Find instructions for submitting by mail or in person by scrolling up to the previous section.

Pet Licenses for U.S. VETERANS

Veteran exemptions are offered to residents of San Jose who have served in the military. A valid veteran’s ID is required for proof. One license per household and the pet must be spayed or neutered. If you are applying for the veteran exemption, you may not use the online option. Find instructions for submitting by mail, e-mail, or in person by scrolling up to the previous section.

Contact US

Licensing Department Contact Information
Phone: (408) 794-7240 
Fax: (408) 229-2323
Email: AnimalLicensing@sanjoseca.gov

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