Dog Licenses Available For 2024 At Bucks County Treasurer’s Office

DOYLESTOWN, PA – Dog licenses for 2024 are now available from the Bucks County Treasurer’s Office. State law requires all dogs three months and older to be licensed by January 1 of each year.

The Dog Law Modernization Bill signed into law in October 2023 will revise license fees and add protections for Pennsylvania dogs, consumers, and communities. Beginning February 1, 2024, dog license fees will increase, and the age to license will be lowered to eight weeks of age.

“It’s that time of year again for Bucks County residents to renew their annual dog licenses,” said Bucks County Treasurer Kris Ballerini. “Prices are set to increase starting February 1st, so I encourage everyone to apply for their pet’s license before those changes go into effect.”

An annual dog license is $8.70, or $6.70 if the animal is spayed or neutered. Lifetime licenses are available for dogs with a microchip for permanent identification. Older adults and people with disabilities may be eligible for discounts.

The dog license application is simple. It only requires owner contact information and details about the dog, including name, age, breed, and color. The process can be completed online or by mailing an application to the county treasurer’s office.

Bucks County Treasurer Kris Ballerini and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture offered these reasons for obtaining a dog license:

• A license is the best way to get your dog back if they get lost. A license helps animal control and shelters identify a dog and its rightful owners, and anyone can see the dog’s tag. Microchips are not always easy to find.
• It’s the law. All dogs three months and older must have a current license.
• The cost of a license is far less than the penalty for being caught without one. Owners who fail to license their dogs can face a fine of up to $300 for each unlicensed dog.
• License fees support animal control and public safety. The annual fee to license a dog helps keep shelters running and supports the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement’s vital services to protect dogs and the public.

For more information, including how to purchase a dog license online, residents can visit www.buckscounty.gov/319/Dog-Licenses. For a list of county treasurers, visit www.licenseyourdogPA.com or call the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement Office at 717-787-3062.