If you live in the city limits of Visalia or Dinuba*, Valley Oak SPCA is your licensing agency.
Here’s what you need to know about requirements.
Pursuant to City of Visalia ordinance 6.12.030 and City of Dinuba ordinance, every owner of a dog or cat (dogs only in Dinuba) within the incorporated area of those cities shall secure a license for each such dog or cat over 4 months of age within 30 days of acquiring the dog or cat, or within 30 days after the dog or cat becomes 4 months old. A current rabies vaccination is required before a license can be issued. To qualify for a reduced fee, the pet has to be spayed or neutered, and written proof from the veterinarian must be submitted with the license application. For information about low-cost spay/neuter and vaccinations, call our clinic at (559) 741-1121.
If you would like more information about licensing OR if your pet is already licensed and you have a new address or phone number, please call (559) 713-4686.
Reasons for Licensing
• It is an excellent identification. It's your pet’s ticket back home. It allows us to notify you when your lost pet is found.
• It lets people know that your canine or feline companion have received required vaccinations that protect your dog or cat from rabies.
• Provides proof that the dog or cat is and legally belongs to you and that you are a responsible dog or cat caregiver.
• It's the LAW. Every owner of a dog or cat within the incorporated area of City of Visalia or Dinuba shall secure a license for each dog or cat (Dinuba dogs only) over 4 months of age within 30 days after acquiring the dog or cat, or within 30 days after the dog or cat becomes 4 months old. A current rabies vaccination is required before a license can be issued.
Did you know that the fee you pay for your dog and/ or cat license and license renewal, keeps your city’s animal shelter going. It is one of the primary sources of revenue for Animal Care and Control, so it can continue to provide you and the city with it's services like keeping neighborhoods safe from aggressive dogs and keeping stray dogs off the streets.
Medical Tags
If your pet is too ill to be vaccinated against rabies, you still have to register you dog or cat. You will apply as you would every year, except instead of providing proof of rabies vaccination you will need to provide us with a letter from a licensed Veterinarian, stating the medical reason why your pet is unable to be vaccinated against rabies. If applying for the altered fee a spay/ neutered certificate is required. Make check or money order payable to Valley Oak SPCA. If you have any questions you can call (559) 713-4686 for more information.
Kennel Permits
City of Visalia requires any person who has four or more dogs or cats combined, four months of age or older, kept on a single property needs to obtain a kennel permit.
A kennel permit allows the owner up to 10 dogs or cats combined. Application fee is $25.00 and is due on or before January st of each year. The $25.00 fee is non-refundable. Before a kennel permit is issued all dogs and cats must be currently licensed. Once the application is received, an Animal Control Officer will inspect the the property, file a report, and recommend that all requirements meet the State Department of Health Services. Please refer to the terms and conditions on page two of the application. Kennel Application (PDF)
California Dog tags
If your pet falls under the two categories listed below, you may qualify for a California dog tag. The dog must be licensed, if your dog is not licensed proof of rabies vaccination will be necessary. Spay/ Neuter certificate is needed if applying for alter fees. For more information you can call 559 713-4686 or for more information on Service/ Working dogs you may visit www.gdu-cal.org/law_cal.html
1. Working Dogs: The Americans With Disabilities Act define service animals as such; “Service animals are animals that are individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities- such as guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling wheelchairs, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing special tasks. Service animals are working animals, not pets.” Working dogs are exempt from fees for both the regular dog license tag and the California dog tag. Working dog owners are required to renew their dog license yearly and there is no fee to do this.
2. Service Dogs: Service dog means any dog individually trained to work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a medical condition, mental disability, and/or physical disability. Owners of a service dog are required to purchase the license tag and the California tag is free of charge. Please bring the following information when applying for a service dog tag.
What you will need when you apply.
- A valid photo ID or Drivers License.
- Proof of residence in city limits of Visalia or Dinuba.
- Application must be filled out completed and singed, agreeing to the terms and conditions therein.
- Have a note from a medical doctor (MD requesting the issuance of the tag and the reason).
- Working/Service Dog Identification Tag Application (PDF)
City Of Visalia licensing fees:
Dog - Male or Female...........................................................$39.10
*Neutered Male/Spayed Female............................................$16.60
Cat - Male or Female............................................................$16.60
*Neutered Male/Spayed Female............................................$7.75
Late fee............................................................................$22.15
City of Dinuba dog license:
Dog - Male or Female...........................................................$20.00
* Neutered Male/ Spayed Female..........................................$8.00
Late fee............................................................................$10.00
The late fee for both the city of Visalia and Dinuba applies in addition to the regular license fee, if payment is not received with in 30 days of the rabies vaccination, if an owner request a license for a previously unlicensed animal, or if the previous license is 30 days past due. If you are mailing the renewal it must be post marked on or before the due date. You can make checks or money order payable to Valley Oak SPCA and mail payment to 29016 Hwy. 99, Visalia CA 93277. Mailing address: 29016 Highway 99
City of Dinuba if you live in the City limits of Dinuba you can apply for a license tag at the Dinuba Police Department. You must have the following information; proof of current rabies vaccination and spay/ neuter certificate if applying for alter fees. If you do not have this information they will not be able to assist you.
How to Apply for a New License
- A copy of the current rabies vaccination certificate. The date on the rabies must extend to cover the length of the license period for which you are applying.
- A copy of the spay/neuter certificate from your veterinarian, if applying for alter fees.
- Dog and Cat application Download
- Payment type.
How to renew an expired license
- Follow instructions as in applying for a new license.
- The old license number and the expiration date.
- Payment type.
**Applicants who initially registered an unaltered dog or cat but since altered their dog or cat at the time of renewal must submit by mail a copy of the spay/neuter certificate from your veterinarian to be eligible for the altered fees. (It is your responsibility, not your veterinarians to notify us of when your companion animal got altered.)
Please be advised that it is your responsibility to make sure that your animal is current on the rabies vaccine and is licensed. We will make every effort to send a courtesy reminder to license or re-license your animal, but if you do not receive a notice or renewal notice penalties will apply.
*Other licensing agencies: City of Tulare, (559) 685-5047; City of Exeter (559) 592-3710;
City of Farmersville, (559) 747-0458; Cities of Lindsay and Porterville, (559) 562-7105. For information about other areas of Tulare County call (559) 733-6511.
