Animal Licenses
The City Treasurer is tasked with the issuance of animal licenses.
Virginia Beach Animal License
Any Virginia Beach resident may obtain a one, two, or three-year city dog or cat license by submitting an oral or written application to the City Treasurer or an appointed agent, accompanied by the amount of the license tax and the evidence of vaccination required and evidence of neuter/spay, if applicable.
A license tax is imposed on dogs and cats required to be licensed in the following non-refundable amounts:
TYPE OF ANIMAL
1 YEAR
2 YEAR
3 YEAR
TYPE OF ANIMAL
Unspayed/Unneutered Pet
1 YEAR
$10
2 YEAR
$20
3 YEAR
$30
TYPE OF ANIMAL
Spayed/Neutered Dog
1 YEAR
$7
2 YEAR
$14
3 YEAR
$21
TYPE OF ANIMAL
Spayed/Neutered Cat
1 YEAR
$5
2 YEAR
$10
3 YEAR
$15
Monies collected for animal licenses are dedicated to maintaining the Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center.
Obtain a License
The City of Virginia Beach has partnered with DocuPet to provide an enhanced pet licensing experience for residents.
Residents can license their pets online at virginiabeach.docupet.com, in person at any of the four Treasurer’s Office locations, or by mail by submitting a completed license application form.
When you register your pet, you’ll get a unique license tag that links to their online profile. You can choose a standard tag at no cost or upgrade to a Designer Tag style for a small fee.
Each license tag includes DocuPet’s free HomeSafe 24/7 Lost Pet Service, so if your pet goes missing, you or anyone who finds them can file a report.
Service Dogs
- Service Dogs are eligible for a license at no charge with the completion of a Service Dog Application for Animal License Exemption.
- A license is still issued and expires on the same date as the rabies expiration date.
- Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and therefore are not exempt. For more information, please visit the ADA website.
Kennels
License for 5-20 animals - $35
License for 21+ animals - $50
- Kennel licenses are required to have approval from Zoning and a Conditional Use Permit via the Planning Department prior to the application of a kennel license.
- Kennel licenses are required to be renewed annually.