Dog Licenses in Fresno
City and County
HOW TO REALIZE TRIPLE BENEFITS OF
LICENSE PROGRAMS
• DOG OWNER BENEFITS
• ANIMAL PROTECTION
• CITY/COUNTY FINANCIAL AND
PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT
A SUMMARY REPORT FROM FAR SUBCOMMITTEES
Dog Licenses in Fresno
City and County
ADVANTAGES AND BARRIERS
TO CURRENT PET LICENSE
PROGRAMS
BECKY HOLLY
JANIE PARTAIN
KAREN SHOJI
RANDY WALTER
 Increase in revenue
ADVANTAGE:
MUNICIPALITIES
-FRESNO CITY
FRESNO COUNTY
 Simplify and increase




identification of “at large” pets
Decrease in impounded animals
thus decrease in animal control
resources and expense
Increase in vaccinated animals
Decrease in pet population by
encouraging spay/neuter and
responsible ownership
Simplify statistical data gathering
and identification of pet numbers
 Prompt identification of lost pet
ADVANTAGE:
COMMUNITIES
GENERAL
PUBLIC
 Prompt notification of




impounded or found pet
Simplifies reclaim of pet if
impounded
Decreased or nonexistent
impound fees/penalties
Increased hold at shelter if
impounded
Healthier pets through
vaccination
ADVANTAGES
COMMUNITY
 Prompt identification/notification
of lost pet, avoidance of
unnecessary impound
 Healthier pets through
vaccination
 Decrease in pet overpopulation
and increasing spay/neuter and
responsible ownership
RESISTANCE
WHY PARTICIPATION
IS SO LOW
 The general public’s resistance to
pet licensing derives from several
sources, including, but not limited
to:
 high cost (perceived or real),
 Inconvenience
 general lack of
education/awareness regarding
the cost, necessity and purpose.
Dog Licenses in Fresno
City and County
CONNECTING TO THE COMMUNITY
HOW TO HELP ENGAGE AND
EXPAND PARTICIPATION IN
LICENSE PROGRAM
BECKY KLISCH
ELISA BROWN
KAREN SHOJI
BARBARA RODIEK
JUST THE
FACTS
WHAT ‘S A LICENSE
ON A DOG MEAN?
Both Fresno City and Fresno County
require all dogs to be licensed.
 Do you know what that means? Not many do.
 A license on a dog means:
 That dog has been appropriately vaccinated
against Rabies and other communicable
diseases.
 That dog’s owner/home can be easily
identified.
 If found, Animal Control Officers will make
every attempt to return to proper home,
avoiding impound fees and entry into Stray
Animal System
 A license on a dog entitles the owner to:
 Reduced fees/penalties if animal is entered
into Animal Control System.
JUST THE
FACTS
WHERE DO LICENSE
FEES GO?
 License payments go to the “General
Fund” for either the City or the County.
 The revenue generated from dog license
fees directly support Animal Control
Services.
 Animal Control Services cost both the
City approximately $1.3 million, and
the County approximately $1 million
per year.
 Both the City and County are exploring
opportunities to use License Fees to
create a fund to support Low/No Cost
Spay and Neuter , but this has not yet
been enacted
License Guidelines and Fees
Fresno City
Fresno County
 While Special Permits may be
 The number of animals you may





available for additional animals,
Fresno City Residents may license
up to four (4) dogs in a residential
home
License Fee for a Spayed/Neutered
dog is $12/year
License Fee for an unaltered dog is
$50/year
Cats are not licensed
Dogs must have received a rabies
shot prior to licensing
Licensed dogs are allowed one
litter/year. All for sale ads must
include mother’s license number
have is dependent on zoning in
your area.
 License Fee for a Spayed/Neutered




dog is $4/year
License Fee for an unaltered dog is
$39/year
Cats are not licensed
Dogs must have received a rabies
shot prior to licensing
Licensed dogs are allowed one
litter/year. All for sale ads must
include mother’s license number
License Guidelines and Fees
Fresno City
Fresno County
 While Special Permits may be
 The number of animals you may





available for additional animals,
Fresno City Residents may license
up to four (4) dogs in a residential
home
License Fee for a Spayed/Neutered
dog is $12/year
License Fee for an unaltered dog is
$50/year
Cats are not licensed
Dogs must have received a rabies
shot prior to licensing
Licensed dogs are allowed one
litter/year. All for sale ads must
include mother’s license number
have is dependent on zoning in
your area.
 License Fee for a Spayed/Neutered




dog is $4/year
License Fee for an unaltered dog is
$39/year
Cats are not licensed
Dogs must have received a rabies
shot prior to licensing
Licensed dogs are allowed one
litter/year. All for sale ads must
include mother’s license number
License Guidelines and Fees
Fresno City
Fresno County
License Applications can be found
online
 Licenses may be obtained via mail or in
person.
 Mandatory Documents:
 Completed License Form - available
online
 A copy of a current valid Rabies
Vaccination certificate (originals will
not be returned)
 A copy of Spay or Neuter certificate, if
applicable (originals will not be
returned)
 Fee - make checks payable to City of
Fresno Dog License (DO NOT MAIL
CASH)


License Applications can be found
online
 Licenses may be obtained via mail or in
person
 Mandatory Documents
 Completed License Form - available
online
 A copy of a current valid Rabies
Vaccination certificate (originals will
not be returned)
 A copy of Spay or Neuter certificate,
if applicable (originals will not be
returned)
 Fee - make checks payable to County
of Fresno Dog License (DO NOT
MAIL CASH);
License Guidelines and Fees
Fresno City
Fresno County
Mail or In Person:
Mail or In Person:

Fresno City Hall, 2600 Fresno St, Rm 1098
(entrance on P St., between Tulare and
Fresno Sts). – OR –

CCSPCA, 103 S. Hughes Ave, Fresno
(559-233-7722, ext. 214) (in person only)
ONLINE LINK:
http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/DepartmentPage
.aspx?id=1574

1221 Fulton Mall, Third Floor
P O Box 11867, Fresno CA 93775-1867
(559) 600-3357 FAX (559) 445-3379
Via email
[email protected]

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
(Closed 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm)

http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/DepartmentPage
.aspx?id=1574
1) License information is difficult
Perception is
Reality
What the
community
perceives
relative to the
current
license
program.
2)
3)
4)
5)
to find/understand
Licensing is merely a “good”
thing to do (it’s an “extra”).
There is little “enforcement” of
license rules, therefore the
program is more voluntary than
mandatory.
Compliance is clumsy and
difficult
No identifiable benefits
 More people are willing to
Perception is
Reality
What the
community
should know
relative to the
current
license
program.
catch/return a stray dog with a
license than one without
 Altered dog license fees are
minimal, while unaltered dog
license fees are sometime 5-times
more.
 Should a licensed dog get
loose/lost, Animal Control Agents
will make every attempt to return
found dogs immediately, never
having taken them to the pound.
 Should a licensed dog wind up in
Perception is
Reality
What the
community
should know
relative to the
current
license
program.
the pound, reclaim fees and/or
penalties are often greatly
reduced
 Should a licensed dog wind up in
the pound, that dog is guaranteed
7-days of safe-keeping before
entering the pound’s adoption /
exit system
 Should a licensed dogs be injured
while loose, that dog is
guaranteed minimal medical care
Recommendations to increase
effectiveness and participation in
Dog License Programs
•Reduce costs to the public by providing mobile or traveling low
cost rabies and licensing clinics
•Increase convenience by contracting with several veterinary or
other facilities for licensing to provide more diverse geographic
locations for members of the public to obtain licenses
Recommendations to increase
effectiveness and participation in
Dog License Programs
•Increase convenience by contracting with several veterinary or
other facilities for licensing to provide more diverse geographic
locations for members of the public to obtain licenses
•Increase education, awareness and visibility of licensing
program and its purpose through promotion and media
campaigns
•Increase education, awareness and visibility by providing
literature to local veterinary facilities and pet retail stores, etc.
Recommendations to increase
effectiveness and participation in
Dog License Programs
•Central License Information and Application/Payment
Site
oOnline
oLinks for both City and County
oIntuitive Website Address
•Identify/Create alternate application and payment sites
(aka utility pay stations).
•Simplified Application Process
•Uniform (City and County) Application Process
•Uniform (City and County) License Fee Schedule
Recommendations to increase
effectiveness and participation in
Dog License Programs
•Development of more comprehensive Incentive Program
oDiscounts at Merchants
oVet Discounts
•Revenue Share with Rescues and Shelters to increase
participation
•Simplified and compelling Call to Action/Education
Campaign
Recommendations to increase
effectiveness and participation in
Dog License Programs
•Rebrand the program to effectively communicate the
BENEFITS …
License your pets …
it’s Their passport Home
and Your passport to Savings!
Next Steps
•Feedback from Fresno City and County
•Pursue the development of a new “branding” image
•Seek to identify possible “perks”