Licensing Information

If you live within the county of Ventura, and inside our area of service, you must purchase an animal license AND have your animal vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. This vaccination must be updated every one to three years (depending on the type of vaccine). Your county shelters do not vaccinate animals, but we do provide low-cost 'clinics' throughout the county (see below). A team of Licensing Inspectors canvasses throughout the County to ensure compliance with State and Local licensing and rabies vaccination requirements.

How Do I License My Pet?

There are a few ways you can obtain a license for your pet. First, you will need to obtain a rabies certificate valid for a twelve (12) or thirty-six (36) month period and a certificate of sterility (if applicable). Please only submit copies of certificates since nothing will be returned. Next, you can download an animal license application using the link provided below. The application can be mailed or brought into the shelter to be processed. The license fees are as follows:

• $20.00 per year - Altered animal with certificate of sterility over the age of four (4) months.
• $75.00 per year- Unaltered animal over the age of four (4) months.

Penalty License Applies 30 Days After Due Date Plus 100%

Download a PDF license application to complete and mail or bring into the Camarillo Shelter.

We have facilities in Camarillo and Simi Valley to serve you. Click on Shelter Information for location and hours of service.

Many local veterinarians throughtout Ventura County also sell our licenses. You may bring the information directly to them and they will be able to issue a tag for your pet. Check with your local veterinarian to see if they sell Ventura County licenses.

• Download a copy of the locations that sell dog and cat licenses in your city.

I Received An Interim or Temporary License, What Do I Do?

Often our Department will issue Interim or temporary licenses for various reasons. Many are issued due to lack of information on the certificate, no rabies information on file or rabies vaccine will expire soon. If you have received an Interim license this is what we need:

• A rabies certificate from a licensed veterinarian valid for a twelve (12) or thirty-six (36) month period.
• If your animal has had a rabies vaccine and it is valid for a twelve month period, then a copy of the rabies certificate is needed.
• If your animal's vaccine will expire within a twelve (12) month period, it is recommended to revaccinate your animal.

If you have any questions regarding licensing please give call our Licensing Department at (805) 388-4341 or 1-888-223-PETS - Option 6

Licensing / Vaccination Requirements

4411: License tag requirements.

Every person who owns, harbors, or keeps any dog over the age of four (4) months for thirty (30) days or longer shall obtain a current license and license tag issued under the provisions of this Code and stamped with the year in which such license was issued. The license tag obtained shall be attached to a substantial collar or harness that shall be worn by the dog at all times except as provided in Section 4411-1. Every person who violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of an infraction. Any dog found without a current license tag or for which there is no current license may be taken up and impounded by the Poundmaster or any peace officer. (Am. Ord. 2717--9/11/73) (Am. Ord. 3187--4/20/76) (Am. Ord. 3244--12/21/76) (Am. Ord. 3390--8/15/78)

4451: Rabies vaccination required.

Every person owning, harboring, or keeping a dog, shall within thirty (30) days after such dog obtains the age of four (4) months, cause it to be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian with a vaccine of a type approved by the State Department of Health and listed in Section 2606.4 of Title 17 of the California Administrative Code as being suitable for use in declared rabies areas. Every person who violates the provisions of this Section is guilty of a misdemeanor/infraction. (Am. Ord. 3187--4/20/76)

Cat Licensing

The County of Ventura is moving towards a mandatory cat licensing program. Although this program is not yet a requirement in most areas, it really does make sense for the following reasons:

• It is a proven fact that licensed animals are far more likely to be reclaimed to their owners than unlicensed animals. Only 4% of all impounded cats are reclaimed. This number would be greatly increased if cats wore license tags.
• Cats are more likely to be exposed to rabies than other domestic animals because of their higher instance of interaction with wildlife. (see Rabies.. facts and fiction for more information) Because a license requires a rabies vaccination, your participation decreases the likelihood of a rabies outbreak. You may have already vaccinated your cat, and the annual license will document your vaccine and prompt you when it is outdated.
• Shelter reclaim fees are lower for licensed animals than those for unlicensed.
• Mandatory cat licensing will mean fewer cats destroyed each year. Since more cats will be returned to owners because of identification, fewer cats will remain unclaimed.
• Licenses are proof of valid rabies vaccination. Since rabies is more likely to be transmitted to an outdoor cat than a dog, it is an important factor to consider. For more information on rabies, check out Rabies.. facts and fiction
• Only 4 out of 100 of cats (compared to over 30 % of dogs) are reclaimed by their owners each year. If your cat is wearing a current license tag it is almost certain that we can reunite you with your pet.

  Cat licenses are mandatory for all cats in the cities of Moorpark and Oxnard. Cat licenses are voluntary, and encouraged, in all other cities.

SPAYING AND NEUTERING SAVES MONEY!

Altering (surgical sterilization) of your animal will save you $55.00 per year in license fees. For more information on the advantages of surgical sterilization, check out Spay and neutering.. Facts and fiction

The Spay & Neuter Voucher Program

Any animal that is unaltered and has a valid Ventura County license is eligible for a spay and neuter voucher. All vouchers are vaild at participating veterinarians throughtout Ventura County (excludes cities of Santa Paula, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks). The voucher programs allows you to receive money off your spay and neuter surgery using the veterinarian of your choice. The values of the voucher are dependant on the weight and gender of your dog. The values are listed below:

• Cats - $20.00 (no weight limit)
• Small Dogs (Up to 30lbs.)  Male - $40.00  Female - $55.00
• Medium Dogs (31 to 60lbs.) Male - $50.00  Female - $60.00
• Large Dogs (61lbs. and Over) Male - 65.00  Female - $65.00

Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic

Other Permit/License Fees:

• Kennel/Cattery - Commercial Permit: $150.00 Per Year
• Kennel/Cattery - Hobby or 501 (c) 3: $60.00 Per Year
• Kennel Inspection - Per Visit: $50.00
• Wild Animal Rehab Facility - 501 (c) 3: $60.00 Per Year
• Wild Animal Permit: $50.00 Per Animal - Per Year
• Film Permit Review: $50.00 
• Duplicate (Replacement) Of License Tag, Dog or Cat: $5.00
• Transfer Of License Tag, Dog or Cat: $5.00

Upcoming 2012 Monthly Rabies Vaccination Clinics:

Located at a new site every month, these clinics are open to all animal owners. Rabies vaccinations cost just $6.00 (cash only), Canine Distemper-Parvo $20.00, Canine Bordetella $20.00, Feline FVRCP $20.00 and Rattlesnake vaccine for dogs $40.00. Clinics are from 7PM to 8PM unless otherwise noted.  No rabies certificates will be issued at clinics.  We advise you to arrive at 7 PM sharp or at the opening time of the clinic. Dog and cat licenses are sold too.

Jan 10, 2012 in Simi Valley	at the County Fire Station, 1910 Church St. (7 PM)
Feb 07, 2012 in Port Hueneme	at the County Fire Station, 304 2nd Street (7 PM)
Feb 21, 2012 in Santa Paula	at the Fire Station, 536 West Main St.(7 PM)
Mar 06, 2012 in Camarillo	at the Department of Animal Services, 600 Aviation Dr., at the Camarillo Airport (7 PM)
Apr 03, 2012 in Moorpark	at the County Fire Station, 295 High St. (7 PM)
Apr 28, 2012 in Oxnard	at City Hall, (Rear Lot) 214 S. C St. (11-3 PM)
May 01, 2012 in Meiners Oaks	at the County Fire Station, 466 La Luna (7 PM)
May 22, 2012 in Fillmore	at the County Fire Station, 711 Sespe Pl (7 PM)
June 12, 2012 in Simi Valley	at the County Fire Station, 1910 Church St. (7 PM)
June 26, 2012 in Ventura	at Seaside Park, Santa Rosa Hall (7 PM)
Aug 07, 2012 in Port Hueneme	at the County Fire Station, 304 2nd Street (7 PM)
Aug 21, 2012 in Meiners Oaks	at the County Fire Station, 466 La Luna (7 PM)
Sept 04, 2012 in Moorpark	at the County Fire Station, 295 High St. (7 PM)
Sept 25, 2012 in Camarillo	at the Department of Animal Services, 600 Aviation Dr., at the Camarillo Airport (7 PM)
Oct 09, 2012 in Fillmore	at the County Fire Station, 711 Sespe Pl (7 PM)
Oct 27, 2012 in Oxnard	City Hall Rear Lot, 214 S. C St. (1-3 PM)
Nov 13, 2012 in Ventura	at Seaside Park, Santa Rosa Hall (7 PM)
Nov 27, 2012 in Santa Paula	at the Fire Station, 536 West Main St.(7 PM)

Thanks to Dr. Blanton for providing service to the citizens and animals of Ventura County. You can visit Dr. Blanton at the Santa Paula Animal Clinic located at 957 Faulkner Rd. Suite 101, Santa Paula, CA 93060. Telephone: 933-1341.