Pet Licensing

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

 

 

Online purchase or renewal

You can buy your pet's first license or renew one easily online.

Step 1.Go to the DocuPet page on SEAACA's website

You will create a profile for your pet to purchase a license, or log in to the profile to pay for the renewal.

Visit SEAACA-DocuPet page

Step 2.Create a profile for your pet

If your pet is lost, this profile will help quickly reunite you. 

Upload a photo of your pet and your contact details.

On the dashboard, you'll be able to upload medical records, such as proof of spay/neuter or rabies vaccinations, to complete your file. 

NOTE: A valid proof of rabies vaccination is required to purchase a pet license. A 60-day temporary license may be issued if you do not provide proof at the time of licensing. Proof of spay/neuter is required to receive the discounted altered rates. 

When it's time to renew, just log in to the profile to pay the fees and provide any required documentation.

Step 3.Purchase a custom tag (optional)

The standard DocuPet tag is free with your license fee purchase. 

You also have the option of purchasing one, available in two sizes and a wide variety of designs and colors, if you wish. Explore the Tag Gallery of designer styles. DocuPet will donate 20% of the purchase to SEAACA.

Each official license includes DocuPet's 24/7 HomeSafe lost pet service, which sends automatic alerts to members in your community to help find and return your pet.

Step 4.Complete payment by credit or debit card

Once you've paid, your license package will be shipped out the next business day. 

In-person or by mail

Step 1.Get supporting documents ready

All dogs over four months old must have a rabies vaccination. SEAACA can provide information on vaccination clinics.

Be sure to bring the certificate that shows it's good for the term of the license.

Provide a spay/neuter certificate, if applicable, to receive the discounted license fee rate.

Step 2.Download the form and complete it before visiting

You can also find the form at SEAACA's DocuPet webpage or download it here:

Lakewood Dog License Application

Carefully complete the form in full and be sure it's free of any errors, otherwise your registration may not be successfully processed. 

Step 3.Payment

Fees are:

  • $28 per year for an unaltered (non-spayed or neutered) dog
  • $14 per year for an altered (spayed or neutered) dog (be sure you have provided the spay/neuter certificate)

Step 4.Go to SEAACA to buy the license 

SEAACA is located at 9777 Seaaca St., Downey, CA 90241. 

See SEAACA's business hours and directions to their facility

Step 5.Or, mail in the application

Make your check or money order payable to DocuPet.

Mail the form, payment, and documentation to:

DocuPet
235 Harrison St., #61
Syracuse, NY 13202

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.