There are an estimated 120,000 dogs living in San Francisco. Only about 20,000 of them are licensed at this time. Listed below are five reasons why licensing your dog should be your #1 priority. By licensing your dog, you have taken the first step in assuring the health and safety of your dog and thousands of others.
- If your dog gets lost, a license tag on your dog's collar is the fastest way to reunite you and your dog. Even if your dog is microchipped, a license tag is immediately visible and doesn't require a scanning device to read it, like a microchip does.
- Licensing, unlike microchipping, lets people know that your canine companion has received required vaccinations that protect your dog from rabies.
- The fee you pay for your Dog 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 its unique services to all the citizens of San Francisco, from finding new homes for unclaimed or surrendered pets to keeping neighborhoods safe from aggressive dogs, from caring for animals whose owners have died to teaching good pet care to school kids.
- Your dog's Dog License shows that you are a responsible dog caregiver. When you walk your dog or let your dog run in designated areas, people will notice the license on your dog's collar and know that you really care about your dog's welfare. Dogs without licenses carry a stigma of owner neglect.
- It's the law. Living in San Francisco brings many lifestyle advantages and cultural rewards, but it also carries some obligations. Among these is the payment of fees for municipal services. Good citizens get their dogs licensed.
