(1) Dogs Licensed. No one shall have any dog, except one that is kept in a state-licensed kennel, unless he has obtained a license for such dog and has paid an annual license fee as follows:

(2) Permanent Licensing. In lieu of annual licensing, permanently tattooed dogs may be permanently licensed as follows:

(3) Senior Citizen, Guide Dog and Government Discounts. Any person over sixty-five (65) years of age who licenses any dog shall receive a discount in the licensing fee of fifty (50%) percent. All licensing fees for guide dogs for the blind, or guide dogs for any other handicapped person or for government-owned dogs used for law enforcement shall be waived. All other licensing provisions shall apply.

(4) Vaccination Required. All dogs and cats must be vaccinated for rabies. Verification of vaccination will be recognized only upon the presentation of a vaccination certificate signed by a veterinarian or veterinary hospital.

(5) Tags Required. A license tag and receipt shall be furnished by the Department of Licenses and Inspections for each dog licensed pursuant to this Section. A rabies vaccination tag or certificate shall be furnished by the veterinarian or veterinary hospital for each vaccinated dog or cat. Such vaccination tag shall indicate the year or years for which the vaccination is valid and the name of the administering veterinarian or veterinary hospital. A dog’s license must be displayed on its collar at all times except during participation in a dog show.

(6) Veterinarians and Others Authorized to Dispense License Applications. Application for any dog license shall be made to the Department of Licensing and Inspection. Any veterinarian, veterinary hospital or animal shelter can be authorized by the Department of Licenses and Inspections to accept license applications on its behalf, under such regulations as it shall develop. Any such veterinarian, veterinary hospital or animal shelter authorized to accept license applications shall keep as a processing fee ten (10%) percent of the license fee, or one dollar ($1.00), whichever is larger, per license processed. The Department of Licenses and Inspections shall not unreasonably restrict any veterinarian, veterinary hospital or animal shelter from acting as an agent for the collection of licensing applications as described in this Section.

(7) Time of Licensing. Application for a license must be made within thirty (30) days after obtaining a dog over four months of age, or within thirty (30) days of establishing residence in Philadelphia. This requirement will not apply to a non-resident keeping a dog within Philadelphia for no longer than sixty (60) days.

(8) Maximum Number of Dogs and Cats Allowed. No residential dwelling unit shall keep a total of more than twelve (12) adult dogs or cats combined, of which no more than four (4) may be unneutered, unless the Department of Public Health has been notified and granted a waiver.