Tags & Shots

Losing a dog or cat is one of the most heart-breaking situations a pet parent can go through. The best way to ensure a happy reunion with your dog or cat is to have your pet properly registered with us. Once registered, you will receive a Lifetime Tag that must be securely attached to your pet’s collar. This way, if your pet does become lost, we are able to contact you right away so that he can return home as quickly and safely as possible.

Registration Requirements​

• Broward County requires that all dogs and cats, four months or older, must be registered and wear a Broward County Tag.
   
• Broward County has transitioned to Tags For Life: Purchase a Lifetime Pet Tag once and renew your registration annually.​
   
• Your pet must first be vaccinated against rabies to be Registered and receive a Lifetime Tag. A copy of a current Rabies Certificate, issued by a licensed veterinarian, must be presented at the time of initial purchase and renewal.
   
• If a licensed veterinarian has determined that a rabies vaccination will be detrimental to your pet’s health, they may issue a Waiver Certificate​. This Certificate must be signed by the veterinarian and sent to Broward County Animal Care.  However, a Lifetime Tag must still be purchased and worn by your pet.
• Indoor pets are not exempt from Broward County's Tag and Registration requirement.​​
   
• Pets that have a tattoo, microchip or personalized name tag, are still required to have a Broward County Lifetime Tag.
   

​The cost of the Lifetime Registration Tag and annual renewal depends on whether your pet is microchipped or not.

MICROCHIPPED DOG OR CAT:

• If your pet is microchipped, the 1 Year Pet Registration Tag and Renewal Fee is $25.00
   
• If your pet is microchipped, the 3 Year Pet Registration Tag and Renewal Fee is $65.00 with a valid 3 year Rabies Vaccine.​
   
• Replacement of a lost tag (only available at our Adoption Center)- $10.00
   

NON-MICROCHIPPED DOG OR CAT:

• If your pet is NOT microchipped, the 1 Year Pet Registration Tag and Renewal Fee is $55.00
   
• If your pet is NOT microchipped, the 3 Year Pet Registration Tag and Renewal Fee is $145.00 with a valid 3 year Rabies Vaccine.
   
• Replacement of a lost tag (only available at our Adoption Center)- $10.00​
   

LATE FEE: $10.00

PLEASE NOTE: There is a $300 fine for pets that are not vaccinated against rabies and a $300 fine for pets that are not registered with the County.

Where to Purchase the Rabies Registration Tag

For your convenience,  your pet's Lifetime Registration Tag can be purchased through any of the following options:

1. Visit our Adoption Center. We are open for tag sales Monday through Sunday from 11AM to 5:30PM. Please be sure to bring a copy of your pet's Rabies Vaccination Certificate with you.
2. Visit an approved Veterinary office that offers our tags. If your pet received their rabies vaccination from another clinic or facility, please be sure to bring a copy of your pet's Rabies Vaccination Certificate with you. Please Note: Tags purchased at a veterinary office are subject to a service fee not to exceed $5.00 per tag.
    
3. Online​:  A copy of your pet's current Rabies Vaccination Certificate will need to be uploaded to our system. A tag will not be issued until we receive a valid copy.  Should you have any issues uploading the certificate, please send it as an attachment via email.
4. Via mail: Mail in a check/money order to the address below (Refer to the fee schedule above)

1. Pay to the order of: Board of County Commissioners – Animal Care Division.
    

Mailing Address:
Broward County Animal Licensing
c/o PetData
PO BOX 141929
Irving, TX 75014-1929

Important Information:

• The Pet Registration is only valid for a year from the date of the rabies vaccination, not the date of registration​.
• Rabies vaccinations and pet registration are required to be renewed annually to avoid risk of potential fines.
• If your veterinarian determines it is not in your pet's best interest to receive a rabies vaccination, a Lifetime tag will still need to be purchased and renewed annually and a “Notice of ​Waiver of Rabies Vaccination​" form will need to be submitted.
   
• Broward County does not offer a 3-year rabies registration renewal. A pet receiving a 3-year rabies vaccination will need to have their registration renewed annually on the date of the rabies vaccination.
• You are not in violation of any County Ordinance if your pet has a current rabies vaccine and you have purchased your pet's Lifetime Tag/replacement tag and are awaiting the tag in the mail.
   
• If you are rehoming your pet, you are required to submit an “Ownership Transfer​​" form and notify Animal Care.
• It is the pet owner's responsibility to notify the Animal Care Division of any update to their home address.
• The rabies registration is required to be renewed within 30 days of your pet's rabies vaccination.
   

• The Lifetime Tag or registration renewal is purchased 30 days after the date of vaccination.
   
• Registration renewal is purchased 30 days after the date of registration expiration.
• Fines for non-vaccination and/or non-registration are issued after 60 days of vaccination or the previous year's registration expiration date.
   
• Animal Care will make every effort to provide pet owners with notice of expiration of their pet's rabies vaccination and registration, however, it is the pet owner's responsibility to vaccinate/renew in a timely manner.
• Late fees and fines apply regardless of whether a pet owner received a reminder notice or not.

For help, questions and concerns related to your pet's Lifetime Tag or Registration, please complete and submit a Contact Us Form for response and service​.​
 

Vaccinations are an important part of your pet's health and well-being. A schedule of regular vaccines, as determined by your veterinarian, is crucial in order to keep your dog or cat free of disease.

For your convenience, rabies vaccinations, as well as other pet vaccinations, are available by appointment at our Pet Care Clinic​.

Rabies Vaccinations​

A rabies vaccination protects your pet against contracting the deadly rabies virus and is the first line of defense against rabies spreading to you, your family, and your neighbors. For humans, rabies is a potentially fatal disease if not treated in its early stages. Because of this, a rabies vaccination is required for all dogs and cats in Broward County.

Before your dog or cat can receive a Lifetime Broward County Rabies Registration Tag, your pet must first be vaccinated against rabies. If your veterinarian has determined that the rabies vaccination would be detrimental to your pet’s health, the Veterinarian​ must issue a Waiver Certificate. The signed Waiver Certificate must be sent to Broward County Animal Care in order for your pet to receive their Lifetime​ Registration Tag.

The Waiver Certificate​ waives or exempts your pet from receiving the rabies vaccination for health reasons. It does not exempt your pet from Rabies Registration Tag requirements.

Types of Rabies Vaccinations​

Every dog or cat must begin with a one-year rabies vaccination. After that, depending on your veterinarian’s determination, your pet may receive another one-year rabies vaccination or a three-year rabies vaccine.​​