Stafford County
Animal Shelter
Dog Licenses and Kennel Licenses
Permanent Dog License
Did you know?
If you live in Stafford County, are you required to license your dog(s)? That’s right! All dogs over the age of 4 months must have a current rabies vaccination and be licensed through Stafford County.
Permanent licenses are available for purchase at the Stafford County Animal Shelter or the Stafford County Treasurer’s Office. The cost is $10.00 per dog, and the tag is valid for the lifetime of the dog. However, owners are still responsible for keeping their dog’s rabies vaccination up to date.
If you would like to purchase a permanent dog license, you will need a current rabies certificate. The certificate must include the name of the veterinary clinic, the date the vaccine was given, the expiration date, and the rabies tag number.
Please make sure your contact information and your pet’s status are up to date at the time of purchase.
Kennel License
If you have more than 5 dogs in your household, you may purchase a kennel license, which covers up to 25 dogs. You must ensure your property is properly zoned for this type of license, so please check with Stafford County Zoning.
A kennel license requires up-to-date rabies vaccinations for each dog. The cost is $25.00, and the license must be renewed annually. Kennel licenses can be purchased at the Stafford County Treasurer’s Office.
***Please note that dog tags and dog licenses are not the same. You can purchase a dog tag over the counter. Dog licenses must be purchased through the county***
As of July 1, 2007, veterinarians are required to report to the Treasurer of the locality in which they practice within 45 days of giving a rabies vaccine. The Code of Virginia (3.1-796.87:1) mandates the Treasurer to transmit an application to all dog owners who have not purchased a dog license within 90 days of the rabies vaccination. Failure to purchase a dog license within 30 days of receipt of the application requires the Treasurer's Office to notify Animal Control of the unlicensed animal.
