The City of Dubuque and PetData are announcing the implementation of NEW on-line licensing opportunities.

The City of Dubuque sells dog and cat licenses through PetData, Inc. a firm which specializes in handling pet licensing services throughout the country. 

PetData allows year-round license sales. Pet owners will receive an invoice from PetData in the mail when their license is due and will have one month to purchase the license before it becomes delinquent. Payments will be sent to PetData with the license tags being mailed back to the pet owners. Licenses will then be due one year from the original date of purchase. Licenses can be purchased via mail, or purchased on-line for a small transaction fee.

For a new pet:
Mail current rabies vaccination certificate and proof of spaying/neutered (if it applies) for each pet to PetData.

Mailing address:
Dubuque Animal Licensing
c/o PetData
PO Box 141929
Irving TX 75014-1929

Annual license fees for the City of Dubuque are:
• Spayed/neutered dog or cat - $12.00
• Non-spayed/non-neutered dog or cat - $30.00
• Delinquent fee for dogs and cats - $10.00

Make check or money order payable to:
Dubuque Animal Licensing

NOTE: You will need the reference number from the mailing to purchase the license online. Each animal has it’s own reference number, so you will need to register each pet individually.

Thousands of animals find their way into shelters each year without any form of identification. Unfortunately, without identification we are unable to reunite them with their families. Purchasing a license for your dogs and cats will ensure your special companion can be returned home quickly and safely.

In Dubuque all dogs and cats over the age of four months are required by law to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies.  The license tag should be securely attached to the pets collar at all times. Licenses can only be issued with proof of current rabies vaccination so this must be provided at time of application. Also, if an animal is spayed or neutered, certification is required in order to license the animal at the reduced rate.

Licenses/tags are not transferable from one pet to another or from one owner to another. In the event a pet is sold, given away, or dies this should be reported to the Health Services Department at 563.589.4185 and the new owner must license the pet in their name. Owners are responsible for providing the Health Services Department Office with this information.

The City’s Health Services Department researched the issuing of pet licenses in 2008 and identified PetData, the only known vendor to provide a pet-licensing service. Dog and cat licenses were previously issued by the City Clerk’s Office. Because of the increasing number of pet licenses and inefficiencies in the current system, the City elected to pursue more consumer-friendly options for purchasing pet licenses.

PetData has efficiencies built into their web-based licensing system that will allow for more accurate pet license invoice mailings and recordkeeping. This will benefit the citizens, pet owners, and the City’s Animal Control staff. In addition, the City Clerk will not need to hire a part-time secretary, which was approved for the pet-licensing administration activity. This is a direct savings of $12,882.

For additional information, call the Health Services Department at 589-4181.