Animal License Application and Instructions

Environmental Health Services manages the City's animal licensing program, including the issuance of dog tags.   EHS responds to individual questions about dog license requirements and manages a computer database to assist in the recovery of a lost dog.   Complaints about wild animals, animal bites, and excessive animals are handled by Animal Management.

Information & Complaints:
(215) 683-LOST
Hours: Monday - Friday
8:30 am - 4:30 pm

While State and City regulations require that the owner of any dog apply for a license for their dog, the City of Philadelphia animal licensing program has some added features that benefit you and your pet:

• Only one animal tag will be needed per animal over its lifetime
• Attractive stainless steel tag in the shape of a Liberty Bell
• Each tag is stamped with 24-hour telephone number for reporting lost and found animals
• Simplified license renewal system once a year   

Give Your Lost Pet A Ticket Home

"I wish my owner had obeyed the law and had gotten my dog tag."

In addition to meeting State and City requirements, the animal licensing program will better serve you and the general public in the following ways:

Help to control the number of stray dogs that may possibly transmit the deadly rabies virus to pets and humans:

• Pet recovery database that will make it easy for owners and finders of pets to locate lost or stolen pets 
• Licensed pets picked-up by the Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Association--Stray Animal Patrol will be held longer (5 days) rather than the state required 48 hours
• Animal recovery service is available to pet owners in neighboring communities
• Reduced license fees for senior citizens
• Reduced license fees for neutered pets
• Free licensing for handicap-assisting and law enforcement dogs

If your licensed pet is lost, has strayed, or is missing, please call:  215-683-LOST