Got A Dog? Get a License!
Dana Point and San Clemente Residents are required to get a license for their dogs.
All dogs over the age of four months are required to be licensed in the cities of San Clemente and Dana Point.
A license is the only visible indicator that your dog is current on their rabies vaccination.
This vaccination is required by law in accordance with the California State Health & Safety Code (121690), requiring all dogs over the age of four months be vaccinated against rabies and have a current license tag issued by the local governing agency. Rabies is one of the most well known of all the viruses.
It is spread when an infected animal scratches or bites another animal or human.
Fortunately, animal control and active vaccination programs have decreased the risk of rabies in our local canine population.
There is no treatment or cure for rabies once the symptoms appear in your pet.
The virus results in fatality.
If your dog is not currently vaccinated for rabies and has an encounter with wildlife, incurring an injury, there is a mandatory six-month quarantine period with only one other option, being euthanasia.
Unfortunately, your pet will not be allowed to leave your property during the quarantine period.
The animal cannot interact with other animals that do not also live in the home.
This can become an inconvenience by limiting their activity, and costly, if pet sitters are needed in place of boarding facilities, exercising your dog on a daily basis off your property is part of your routine, or having doggie play dates on a regular basis.
Vaccination is the key to protecting your pet against rabies.
Due to the number of rabid bats being detected by Orange County, this area has been classified as a “rabies area” by the California Department of Public Health.
As a result, all animal bites are reportable and biting animals must be quarantined (17CCR2606a).
Any animal exposed to potentially rabid animals also must be quarantined (17CCR2606c).
Fortunately an animal that is current on their rabies vaccination, is only required to receive a rabies booster shot within five days of an encounter, and spend only 30 days quarantined in your home.
There are numerous other advantages to licensing your dog, including if lost, the license is a
direct contact between you and your animal.
The licensing fee supports the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter in finding homes for stray
and surrendered pets, and the cost of the license is much less than the cost of a citation if
caught without a current license.
For more information on rabies, licensing and/or general animal questions
please contact the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter
located at 221 Via Fabricante, San Clemente, CA 92672
You may phone them at (949) 492-1617.