Dog owners must license their pets within 60 days of moving to the city or adopting a dog. Licenses for cats are available, but are not required.
A dog license is required for many reasons, including the confirmation of vaccination against rabies (rabies certificate). Rabies is fatal to pets and dangerous to humans and is common in the wild animal population of Southern California.
The dog license period for Lakewood is from July 1 to June 30 of the given year and is renewed every year.
A late fee is charged per license for dogs not licensed within 60 days of residing in the city or after July 31 for license renewals.
The easiest way to purchase or renew a license is using the online service through SEAACA's partner, DocuPet.
Licenses help find lost pets
If your pet is lost, the chances of a happy recovery are dramatically increased if your pet wears its license tag along with a pet ID tag.
The new DocuPet system for licensing includes a collar tag with information that will enable you to be contacted quickly.
Tags should include the owner's name, current address, and home and work phone numbers.
The best method is a combo collar ID tag and microchip. Shelters are more routinely scanning strays for microchips, which provide information that tracks to each owner.
Microchips are tiny, permanently encoded devices safely injected under the animal's skin. Having your pet "chipped" is fast and inexpensive.
Be sure to update your pets’ license and microchip information when changes in your residence or personal information occur. Pets wearing their licenses are held longer at animal care centers than unlicensed ones, which are placed up for adoption and may be euthanized after five days.