Arizona Law Requires Dogs to be Vaccinated and Licensed.
Many pet owners do not know that their dogs have to be licensed in Arizona. ARS mandates that all dogs over three months of age be vaccinated against rabies and licensed by the county in which they reside. As a result, Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) send regular reminders to dog owners to license their pets. These reminders are sent to all those who have not licensed their pet within 30 days of vaccination.
As you are aware, rabies is still prevalent in Arizona. Last year, the Arizona Department of Health Services reported rabies in 21 bats, one coyote and one horse in Maricopa County. Maintaining pets vaccinated against rabies keeps them and our communities safe form this deadly disease.
Dog Licensing is more than a tag. A dog with a current tag lets animal control officers know that it is up-to-date on its rabies vaccination. It also is a wonderful identifier. If the dog gets lost, animal control officials can look up its information and get it home without ever reaching the shelter. If it is not safe to leave the dog at home, an up-to-date dog license allows the dog a longer holding time if it does reach the shelter.
In bite cases, a current vaccination and license provide the pet owner an opportunity to quarantine the dog at home for the necessary 10-day period. This may save a significant amount of money in boarding fees. As you can see, besides it being the law, purchasing a dog license for $16 (altered) or $40 (unaltered) a year in Maricopa County provides dog owners peace of mind. Veterinarians reporting all rabies vaccinations administered to MCACC is critical to protect public health and the well being of the community’s pets. With the information provided by veterinarians, MCACC maintains a centralized database on all pets’ rabies vaccinations. This database has proven to be an invaluable resource in bite cases, helping numerous victims to avoid post-exposure vaccinations.
It is important to note that dog licensing fees support shelter operations and the animals under our care. In Maricopa County, these monies allow MCACC to provide shelter and care for over 60,000 animals a year. At this time, MCACC is the number one pet-adoption and life-saving agency in Arizona. MCACC does not receive general fund monies to support its life-saving efforts. MCACC’s shelters depend solely on licensing and shelter fees to support their operations.
