Registering your dog can be done at any City Clerk office location or online. By Municipal Code 7-12-140, all dogs four months and older must be registered with the City of Chicago.

Benefits of Registering Your Dog

       A portion of the money from registration fees adds to City funds directed to Animal Care           & Control
        Your dog’s registration tag assists in finding your lost pet. The person who finds your            dog simply calls our office at 312-744-DOGS with your registration number (on your            dog’s tag). We then help reunite you with your lost pet.
        Your dog must be registered with the city when taking it to an animal care facility that            boards or provides dog daycare services.
        Dog registration is used to obtain your required permit to enter Chicago Park District           dog-friendly areas. Permits to enter these areas are available at participating vet offices.

Cost to Register Your Dog

        Sterilized dog (neutered male, spayed female)…. $5
       Sterilized dog with a Chicago owner over age 65…. $2.50
       Unsterilized dog….$50
      Unsterilized dog with a Chicago owner over age 65….$5
       Replacement licenses are available at half the otherwise applicable fee, a maximum of           $20

Unsterilized dog fees are higher because thousands of dogs are euthanized annually or suffer as strays because of unwanted, unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering. One unspayed female and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in just six years. Also, sterilized dogs are healthier and have fewer medical problems. In addition, spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to run away or fight with other animals. Other pets (cats, birds, snakes, etc.) are not subject to city licensing.

Requirements for Registering Your Dog

Dogs must have a current rabies vaccination. Your dog registration expires one year after the date of your dog’s rabies vaccination. Registrations are sold in 1 year or 3 year increments (to coincide with rabies vaccinations).