San Diego Humane Society

DocuPet is the official pet licensing partner for San Diego Humane Society

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Why Docupet

Why License?

With DocuPet, your pet’s license is much more than just a tag. It’s their ticket home, their customized (and cute!) emblem, and a link to their personal digital record. It’s also your way of doing good - not just for your pet, but for the pets in need in your community.

Dog licenses are mandatory in the City of Vista. In fact, licenses are mandatory in nearly every community across North America. Why? Because licenses help keep pets and the communities they live in safe.

Since licensing your dogs is a requirement, our goal is to make this process quick, simple, and valuable. Check out the ways you can license your pet below and feel good knowing that licensing revenue funds important initiatives helping to improve your community. To further support these efforts, DocuPet will always donate 20% of designer tag and product sales to our local Safe&Happy Fund partner in the City of Vista, San Diego Humane Society .

How to License

  • Online
  • In-person
  • Mail
  • Phone

The fastest and easiest way to license or renew is right here. You’ll create a profile for your pet, upload photos, process your license registration, and receive purchase confirmations via email. Payment can be made using a credit card or Visa/Mastercard debit card and your package will be shipped out next business day. Each year, you just need to log in to your existing account and renew - it’s super easy!

License Now

In person licensing is available at the following location(s) however it’s important to know you will still receive your tag in the mail:

San Diego Campus: 5480 Gaines St., San Diego, CA 92110

El Cajon Campus: 1373 N. Marshall Ave., El Cajon, CA 92020

Escondido Campus: 3500 Burnet Drive, Escondido, CA 92027

Oceanside Campus: 2905 San Luis Rey Road, Oceanside, CA 92058

Don’t forget to check hours of operation, appointment policies, and accepted payment methods prior to heading out.

If you wish, you can download the below form and complete it prior to arriving.

Download Registration Form

If you opt to license via snail mail - keep in mind processing your registration will take a lot longer!

Make sure you complete the below form in full and that it is free of any errors otherwise your registration may not be successfully processed. The fine print is there for a reason so keep an eye out for accepted payment methods, who the check should be made out to, where it should be mailed, and any required supporting documentation.

Download Registration Form

If you’re having trouble licensing online and need to get your registration processed in a hurry, you can give our customer care team a call and they may be able to process your pet license over the phone. Note that we can only accept credit cards and Visa/Mastercard debit as payment.

License Fees

Pet licenses are required for all dogs living in the City of Vista. Licenses are available for 1 or 3 year terms and must be renewed prior to the expiration date. You will receive reminders from us about upcoming license expirations via mail, phone, and email.

Dog Licenses 1 Year Fee 3 Year Fee
Altered Dog $15.00 $40.00
Unaltered Dog $50.00 $100.00
Service Dog Fee
Service Dog License $0.00
Altered Dog
1 Year Fee $15.00
3 Year Fee $40.00
Unaltered Dog
1 Year Fee $50.00
3 Year Fee $100.00
Service Dog
Service Dog License Fee $0.00

A replacement City of Vista tag is available for a $5 fee or at no additional charge when you license your pet.

A valid rabies certificate is required to complete the licensing process. You must upload or present your certificates at time of purchase.

A spay/neuter certificate is required to qualify for the discounted rate.

All licenses expire the day they were purchased, 1 or 3 years in the future depending on the term of the license purchased, so long as the rabies vaccination remains valid for the duration of the chosen license. If your pet’s rabies vaccination expires prior to the selected license term, the license will expire on the rabies vaccination expiration date.

When licensing a Certified Guide or Assistance Dog for the first time, licensing must be done in person. Future renewals may be done online once the status is verified.

A late fee of $20 will apply 90 days following license expiration.

Licenses are required for all dogs over 4 months of age.

DocuPet Benefits

Found a lost pet?

If the pet is wearing a DocuPet tag, visit our site or their unique web address on the back of the tag, enter the code found on the pet's tag, and gain access to the contact information that pet’s owner has chosen to provide. You may also call our 24/7 dispatch staff at 1-877-239-6072

Is your pet lost?

Don't panic! We're here to help! Log in to your profile and report your pet lost by clicking on their name and then using the "Report Lost" button. Our dedicated staff is immediately alerted and an email will go out with your pet's information to registered members in your community. Log in Now

Account not yet activated? Call us at 1-877-239-6072

What is HomeSafe™?

The HomeSafe™ Lost Pet Service features an online tool that ties your pet's unique tag code to their online profile. This means that if anyone finds your pet, they can easily report them found through our site, and immediately get access to the contact information you have chosen to provide.

Our Found Pet report makes it easy for people to help your pet get home safe. We also have a dedicated dispatch staff that works around the clock, answering phone calls and working with members of the community to help get lost pets home safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

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PROGRAM AND PARTNERSHIP

DocuPet has a Help Center that houses many helpful articles about the DocuPet system, communications, and other information that is not specific to your licensing jurisdiction. Visit here.

You may have entered your address incorrectly or we may not have your address in the address database for your community. Please double-check all spelling and ensure you are using the abbreviated form for your street type ex. St instead of Street. You may contact San Diego Humane Society directly if you believe you reside within their jurisdiction but your address is not being accepted by the system.

LICENSING OPTIONS, DATES, AND LOCATIONS

All pets over the age of 4 months are required to be licensed.

Please ensure you have all the required documentation in order to license your pet. If you have all the records you need to proceed you can license your pet online, or in person at San Diego Humane Society located at 5480 Gaines St. in San Diego.

If this is your first time licensing a pet with San Diego Humane Society, click here to learn more.
If you already have an account with us or have ever licensed a pet with San Diego Humane Society, click here to learn more.

You may license in person at San Diego Humane Society located at 5480 Gaines St. in San Diego.

Refunds may be granted for a license if a pet passes or is returned within 30 days of the license purchase.

As per California State law, a pet license may not be valid at anytime a pet's rabies vaccination is expired.

Temporary licenses expire after 60 days. To convert a temporary license into a full license you must provide new proof of rabies expiration prior to the temporary license expiration date. If the rabies expiration date extends beyond the original term selected, your pet's license may be extended to the full term originally selected. If the newly provided rabies expiration date falls prior to the term end, the new license expiration date will be the same as the rabies vaccination expiration date.

San Diego Humane Society provides licensing services for the following areas: Carlsbad, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, and Vista. 

Please visit San Diego Humane Society in person as kennel licensing is not processed through DocuPet. They are located at 5480 Gaines St. in San Diego.

Licenses expire at the end of the license term selected unless your pet's current rabies vaccination expiration date falls prior to the end of the term. A license cannot be valid at any time a pet's rabies is expired. If you provide new proof of rabies expiration extending beyond the original term selected prior to the license expiration date, your pet's license may be extended to the full term originally selected.

FEES AND FINES

Late fees come into effect if a license is not renewed within 90 days of the original expiration date.

For all online orders a processing fee is applied on license purchases at a rate of 2.65% on eligible license/late fee products plus $0.25 per transaction.

No, there is no discount for licensing multiple pets. Each pet will be charged the appropriate licensing fee.

Please visit San Diego Humane Society in person if you are qualifying for this rate for the first time. They are located at 5480 Gaines St. in San Diego. Once the team there verifies your designation you will be able to renew online in future years.

The fine for failing to license a pet varies. A pet owner can be cited for failure to display and for not having a license.

There are no senior rates to license your pet.

Please visit San Diego Humane Society in person if you are qualifying for this rate for the first time. Once the team there verifies your designation you will be able to renew online in future years.

If your community requires proof of spay/neuter for your pet in order to receive a discounted licensing rate, you will need to upload the appropriate documentation stating that your pet has been spayed/neutered to your online account. Once the documentation has been approved by San Diego Humane Society, you will be eligible to receive the new discounted rate. Otherwise, you can visit San Diego Humane Society in person at 5480 Gaines St. in San Diego and show proof of spay/neuter there.

TAGS

Please visit in person at San Diego Humane Society located at 5480 Gaines St. in San Diego and they will be able to assist you.

ACCOUNT UPDATES

If you are moving please be sure to update your address by logging into your online account and navigating to your Profile Settings page. Even though you are moving you’ll still be able to keep your pet's tag and access your pet's online account. However, your current license may not be valid in the new community you are moving to. Please get in touch with the pet licensing provider in the new community you are moving to in order to find out more information.

CITY INFORMATION AND CITY ORDINANCES

Visit this page for information on licensing ordinances/bylaws: sdhumane.org/services/humane-law-enforcement/

Please get in touch with San Diego Humane Society at (619) 299-7012

Dogs are required to be licensed in all jurisdictions San Diego Humane Society serves. 

DOCUMENT SUBMISSION

You will need to complete the required paperwork and visit San Diego Humane Society in person to qualify for rabies exemption.

A rabies proof is required to prove that your pet has been vaccinated against rabies. This document must be an actual certificate - not a receipt or rabies tag.

To license your pet, you will be required to show proof that the pet's rabies vaccination is current. Documentation is also required to verify that a pet has been spayed or neutered and must be provided in order to receive the discounted rate. Requiring documentation ensures that provided pet information is accurate, which is critical for identification and safety reasons.

If you can’t locate the document you received after the procedure was done, you will need to contact your vet to obtain your pet's records. Be sure to specify any and all pets you require documentation for.
Once you’ve got the paperwork in your hands, take a look to ensure:

  • The document provided is the right type of proof required.
  • Pet and pet owner account data matches your own.
  • The document is clear and legible.

Documentation uploaded via the online system is reviewed within two business days.

To license your pet, you will be required to show proof that the pet's rabies vaccination is current. Requiring documentation ensures that provided pet information is accurate, which is critical for identification and safety reasons.

A valid rabies proof is required to purchase a pet license. A 60 day temporary license may be issued if you do not have rabies proof at the time of licensing. Proof of spay/neuter is required to receive the discounted altered rates.