Register Your Pet
Registering your pet is the law. The City of Houston Municipal Code requires that anyone who owns, keeps, possesses, or has control of a dog or cat four months of age or older must have his or her pet registered, vaccinated against rabies every year, and a registered microchip. Learn more about the City of Houston Municipal Code at www.library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances
A City of Houston pet registration identifies and protects your pet in case it becomes lost. Even indoor pets can get out and become lost. You are required to renew your registration yearly and updated when you move and/or your pet is given away, lost, stolen or is deceased.
- A registration tells everyone that your pet is not a homeless stray.
- When registered with the city, found pets can be quickly reunited with their owner. BARC will make every effort to contact you if your pet comes to the shelter with a registered microchip.
- A City of Houston pet registration is an essential part of animal care and control in our community. Registration fees support the return of lost dogs and cats to their homes and help adopt homeless dogs and cats to new families. Other services funded by pet registration are the prevention of animal neglect or cruelty, spay/neuter programs, over-population programs, and community education services.
- Be sure to always have the microchip registration information up to date to help enable a quick return should they be found.
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To register your pet, you must submit a current rabies certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian, proof of spay/neuter (if applicable), proof of a registered microchip, and pay the registration fee.
| Registration Type | First Year | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Unaltered Pet | $60 | $60 |
| Altered pet (spayed or neutered) |
$20 | $20 |
| Senior Citizen - Altered Pet | $2 | $2 |
| Altered Service Animal | $0 | $2 |
The City of Houston offers three ways to register your pet. You may register online, in person, or via mail. We currently DO NOT accept payments over the phone.
Register Online:
To register your pet online, please visit www.licensepet.com/Houston. Enter your personal information, as well as your pet’s information in the online portal. You may upload your pet’s rabies certificate and other supporting documents. If you wish to provide a hardcopy to our office, you may mail requested documents to “Pet Registration” at 3200 Carr St, Houston, TX 77026 or attach it via email to wayhome@houstontx.gov
Register By Mail
To register your pet via mail, simply mail a check or money order to 3200 Carr St, Houston, TX 77026. Please enclose all required documents, along with a check or money order payable to “BARC”. Send copies of your paperwork and retain originals as they will not be returned. Please refrain from mailing cash.
Mail-in Pet Registration Application
Register in Person
To register your pet in person, you may visit the shelter during normal operating hours. Cash, check, or credit cards are accepted in person. Please bring all required documents along with a valid driver’s license or ID, which is required to enter the facility. Click here for shelter address and hours: www.houstontx.gov/barc/hours.html.
Contact Us
For additional information regarding pet registration, you may call our office at 832-393-8579 or reach us by email at wayhome@houstontx.gov
Remember, Collars and tags are helpful, however, they can fall off or become lost. Microchipping provides a permanent form of identification for your pet.
Registration Process and What You Will Need
Rabies Vaccine
A rabies vaccination certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian must be submitted. An invoice or statement of services is not sufficient as proof of rabies vaccination. Check your certificate for correct owner name, address, and pet information. You will also need a spay/neuter certificate if it is not reflected on Rabies certificate.
Microchip
Proof that a microchip has been implanted in your pet. This information should contain microchip brand and the microchip number (this information can sometimes be found on the rabies certificate). *To update your pet's record at any time, please email WayHome@houstontx.gov.
Registration
Ready to purchase your pet’s City registration? Any required documents, such as your pet's current rabies certificate, may be scanned and uploaded (please use .jpg format) or submitted later mail or email. The registration will be issued after all required documents are received.
