Pet Registration
Register your pet with the city of Austin today!
A pet registration tag is a lost pet's ticket home! Tags can be purchased at most veterinary clinics in Austin. Tags can also be purchased at the Town Lake Animal Center, 1156 W. Cesar Chavez.
What is the Pet Registration Program?
It's the Law. All dogs and cats over the age of 4 months MUST be registered with the City of Austin .
Registration allows the City to identify pets and more quickly reunite lost pets with their owners, and also to insure that all pets in Austin and Travis County are vaccinated against rabies as required by law and have ownership identification.
Significant benefits are conferred to registered pets and their owners. If your pet is already tattooed or microchipped, the tattoo or chip number will be recorded at no extra charge with purchase of a Pet Registration Tag.
What are the Fees?
Pets that are spayed or neutered can receive a "Lifetime Pet Registration" for only $5.00. All pets that are intact (not spayed or neutered) must be registered EVERY year, and the price is $20.00 per year. Dogs trained and certified to assist the disabled can be registered at no charge. Pets must be up to date on rabies vaccinations prior to registration.
For animals that cannot be vaccinated for health reasons, please have your veterinarian call the Pet Registration office at 972-6007.
Why should I register my pet?
Pets that are wearing a current City Pet Registration Tag receive the following benefits.
Pets receive 365 day lost-and-found service. Finders of lost pets can call 972-LOST to be put in
touch with the pets owners.
The Vacation Alert feature protects your pet even when you travel. When a pet owner goes on vacation,
a simple phone call can add to the pet's file the information regarding the location of the pet.
Red Carpet Service from Austin Animal Control. Registered pets get a free ride home (limited to one
time per registration period) if impounded.
Guaranteed emergency medical care (up to $300) if an injured pet is brought to the Town Lake Animal
Center or taken to any veterinarian by the person finding it. (Owners are expected to reimburse the City for medical expenses)
Staff will make reasonable attempts to notify owners if a tagged pet is brought in to the Town Lake Animal Center.
Registered pets are held for a minimum of 10 days (a full week longer than untagged strays) if
brought to the Town Lake Animal Center.
Owners receive a 50% discount on impound fees for pets picked up by Animal Control. Limited to
one time per registration period.
Free registration of tatoos and microchips for registered pets.
Where can I purchase registration tags?
Tags can be purchased at most veterinary clinics in Austin. Tags can also be purchased at the
Town Lake Animal Center,
1156 W. Cesar Chavez (formerly W. 1st Street). If purchased at the
Town Lake Animal Center, or from a veterinarian other than the one which rabies-vaccinated the pet, a
current rabies vaccination certificate must be presented.
Is this required?
ALL cats and dogs over the age of 4 months must be registered, EXCEPT those visiting the City for less than 60 days. Some pets are however exempt from having to pay the registration fees. Fee-exempt registrations may be issued for the following:
- Certified police K-9s used by public law enforcement officers.
- Dogs trained and certified by recognized professional authorities as assistance dogs for the disabled.
- Neutered or spayed dogs or cats owned by persons age 62 and over. (*Limited to 2 free pets per household).
- Pets enrolled in the Town Lake Animal Shelter's low-cost spay/neuter program.
How is the information processed after I purchase tags?
Generally, once the City Pet Registration Office receives the information from the vet clinic, it is entered into the computer within a week.
Failure to register your pet is a Class C misdemeanor and could result in a fine of up to $2000.00 per violation.
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