Get Your Dog a License or Risk a $300 Fine

With family gatherings, holiday celebrations and New Year's resolutions to tackle, one minor task can easily be forgotten among all of the hubbub: renewing dog licenses.

But forgetting that minor task could cost you. The maximum fine for having an unlicensed dog in Pennsylvania is $300, and all dogs 3 months and older must have a license in the Keystone State.

When purchasing a license, the following information is required, according to the Northampton County Treasurer's Office:

• The owner's name, address and telephone number
• The dog's name, age, breed, sex and color
• Proof of age for senior citizens (65+)
• Proof of neutering/spaying from a veterinarian's office, which lowers the license fee

In Northampton County, fees for 2012 -- which remain the same after a price incease on Dec. 1, 2010 -- are as follows for regular dog licenses:

• $8.45 for male or female dogs
• $6.45 for spayed/neutered male or female dogs
• $6.45 for male or female dogs owned by senior citizens (65+)
• $4.45 for spayed/neutered male or female dogs owned by senior citizens (65+)

2012 fees for lifetime licenses, which are ONLY sold at the Northampton County Treasurer's Office, are as follows (tattoos or microchips required):

• $51.45 for male or female dogs
• $31.45 for spayed/neutered male or female dogs
• $31.45 for male or female dogs owned by senior citizens (65+)
• $21.45 for spayed/neutered male or female dogs owned by senior citizens (65+)

Dog licenses can be purchased at the following Northampton County locations:

Northampton County Government Center
Revenue Office - Room 302
669 Washington St.
Easton, PA 18042
(610) 559-3102
License applications can also be filled out and mailed in.

328 East Lawn Road
Nazareth, PA 18064
(610) 759-2905

AVH Veterinary Group
1027 Blue Valley Drive
Pen Argyl, PA 18072
(610) 863-7111

Affordable Pet Center
2022 Main St., Lower Level
Northampton, PA 18067
(610) 440-0245


1059 S. 25th St.
Easton, PA 18045
(610) 252-1266

The Center for Animal Health & Welfare
1165 Island Park Road
Easton, PA 18042
(610) 252-7722

736 Linden St.
Bethlehem, PA 18018
(610) 866-1172


38 Main St.
Hellertown, PA 18055
(610) 838-7000