Registration will soon open to purchase dog licenses for 2026.
Starting Dec. 1, licenses will be available online through the state’s website. State officials reminded residents that licensing is a legal obligation and pet owners could face fines and legal fees if their animals are found to be not registered.
“Pennsylvanians have made it clear that they expect dog owners, kennels, breeders, and shelters to be held to high standards,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said in a news release. “They want their communities to be safe from stray and dangerous dogs. They want owners to be held responsible when their dog attacks.”
Owners who fail to license their dogs can face fines of up to $500, plus court costs for each unlicensed dog.
Dogs must be licensed at the point of adoption or purchase, or at three months if no transfer of ownership has taken place. The youngest age at which a dog can be purchased or adopted in Pennsylvania is eight weeks.
An annual license costs $10.80. Lifetime licenses are available for $52.80 for dogs with permanent identification like a microchip or tattoo. Senior adults and people with disabilities may be eligible for discounted fees of $8.80 for an annual license or $36.80 for a lifetime license.
Annual licenses can be purchased online from county treasurers in one location at licenseyourdogpa.pa.gov. Lifetime licenses can be purchased at the county office.
