L.A. County Animal Care and Control Announces Pet Licensing Amnesty Program

The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control Thursday announced an amnesty program, in which late fees will be waived for pet owners who have delayed purchasing their annual pet licenses because of the economic downturn brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fee waivers are open for residents of all unincorporated Los Angeles County areas, which includes Altadena and the unincorporated areas of East Pasadena.

All dogs age 4 months and older are required by law to be licensed in California. If you live in Altadena the County portion of Pasadena, you must also license your cat.

City of Pasadena residents, however, would not qualify because their pet licensing is handled by the City of Pasadena, which is not offering an amnesty program, according to Jack Hagerman of the Pasadena Humane Society. For more information about Pasadena pet licenses, see here.

The Los Angeles County DACC will waive late fees for renewed or new licenses purchased between April 15 and June 30.

In addition to the late fee waiver, DACC is offering a free microchip for all non-microchipped pets licensed during this time.

Microchipping is highly encouraged because it greatly increases the likelihood that lost pets will be returned to their families. Microchipping is mandatory in all unincorporated county jurisdictions and many cities in Los Angeles County.

The free microchip offer is redeemable by appointment at any of DACC’s seven animal care centers.

“We hope this license penalty amnesty program and the offer of free microchips encourages pet owners to license and protect their pets,” said DACC Director Marcia Mayeda. “Ensuring pets are properly identified is the best way to reunite them with their families if they become lost or stolen.”

Pet owners can access their pets’ licensing records on the DACC website at https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/, call 562- 345-0400, or email licensing@animalcare.lacounty.gov.