FAQ | Rabies | Spay and Neuter | Additional Information

The Oxnard City code requires that all dogs/cats over the age of 4 months be currently licensed. Licensing your dog/cat shows that you are a responsible pet owner

Treasury Supervisor: Tammy M. Gutierrez

Hours: Open Monday through Thursday – 8am - 6pm
Open every other Friday – 9am - 5pm

Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs an animal license?

All dogs/cats over four months of age residing in the city limits of Oxnard need an animal license. Even dogs/cats that are indoor-only or confined to fenced yards are required to have a current animal license.

Why do I need to license my pet?

Licensing your pet is one of the few means available to enforce responsible pet ownership. If your pet is found, a license tag on your animal's collar is the fastest way to reunite you and your pet. The license tag will tell us where you live because they can't.

It is the law to license your pet! Also, since Ventura County is a rabies declared area, the license enforcement program helps to ensure public safety through rabies control by requiring proof of a valid rabies vaccination before a license is issued.

When do I license my pet?

Dogs and cats shall be licensed at the age of 4 months or within 30 days of acquiring your pet. Do not wait until your animal is spayed or neutered to obtain a license.

How much is the license fee?

Animal License fees have been increased effective, June 28, 2005. The license fee is $50 for an unaltered (fertile) dog/cat and $20 for an altered (sterile) dog/cat. A penalty of 100% will be assessed if not licensed at the age of four (4) months or within 30 days of acquiring your pet.

What do I need to license my pet?

You will need proof of a valid rabies certificate issued by a veterinarian or authorized rabies clinic to license your pet. Please read further for more information regarding rabies.

How long is the rabies vaccination good for?

Initial rabies vaccination is good for one (1) year. The next series of rabies vaccinations thereafter should be good for three (3) years. Please contact your veterinarian for further information.

How long is the license good for?

Your animal license is good for one (1) year as long as the rabies certificate is valid for the duration of that license.

What if I don't pay a license?

You will be in violation of the Oxnard City Code and guilty of a misdemeanor if you don't pay a license fee. Any dog or cat found without a current license tag or for which there is no current license may be taken up and impounded by the pound master or any peace officer.

What if I don't have a rabies certificate yet?

If you don't have a rabies certificate yet, you can purchase an interim. (An interim is a receipt of payment only and good for 30 days. It is not a license! ) This will give you plenty of time to get a rabies vaccination for your pet and submit the certificate to Animal Licensing before the due date. Once you submit the current rabies vaccination, you will be issued a license for your pet. If you do not submit the rabies certificate by the due date the license fee paid to the city will be forfeited and you will be required to pay for the license fee again and penalty (100% of the license fee) and you are in violation of Oxnard City Code Section 5-29, which could result in the issuance of a citation.

I didn't know I needed a license; I should not have to pay a penalty.

Ignorance of the law does not excuse you for not complying or finding out the requirements for having a pet in the City of Oxnard. The Oxnard City Code states that a penalty is due if the license is not acquired within 30 days after the pet turns four months old or within 30 days after acquiring the pet.

What is the penalty if my pet is not licensed?

The penalty for animal license is 100% of the license fee as adopted by city council resolution.

Do I need to bring my pet with me to get a license?

You do not need to bring in your pet to get a license, only present an acceptable rabies vaccination certificate, furnishing the information required on the application when you apply for a license. You may even apply for an animal license by mail. Please call Animal Licensing at (805) 385-7818 for instructions.

Where can I purchase a license?

You can purchase your animal license in person or by mail at:
City of Oxnard - Animal Licensing
214 South C Street
Oxnard, CA 93030

You may also purchase City of Oxnard Animal Licenses from participating veterinarian offices, clinics or The Ventura County Animal Regulation for your convenience. Please call Animal Licensing at (805) 385-7818 for more information.

Does my pet need to wear the tag?

Yes. The license tag is your pet's identification. This will ensure you can be reunited with them if found. Any dog or cat found without a current license tag may be taken and impounded by the pound master or any peace officer. However, they may be exempt from wearing license tags if they are securely confined in a cage or vehicle, in a veterinary facility, licensed kennel, grooming facility or if the pet is participating in or training for sporting events, field trials, obedience classes, dog shows or herding livestock. In addition, cats may not need to wear a license tag if a microchip is implanted under the skin which is acceptable to and readable by the poundmaster.

Do I get a renewal notice before it expires?

Yes. A renewal notice will be mailed to you the month before the expiration date. However, it is only a courtesy notice and it is your responsibility to renew the license whether you receive a notice or not. You have 30 days after the due date to renew the license without penalties.

Can I pay for multiple years at a time?

No. The license period for any license shall not exceed more than 1 year as allowed provided the rabies certificate is valid for the duration of the license.

My pet's tag is lost, what do I do?

If your pet's tag is lost, a duplicate tag may be purchased for five dollars ($5.00) from Animal Licensing.

My pet's license is still valid but I am transferring ownership, what do I do?

The new owner may have the current license transferred to his/her name upon payment of a transfer fee of five dollars ($5.00).

Do I need to license my dog if it is a guide dog or service dog?

Yes. A license tag shall be issued free of charge to a dog used as a guide dog for a blind person when an affidavit attesting to the dog's use as a guide dog has been submitted when applying for an animal license.

If you have a disability and use a service dog to assist you, you will need to apply for an animal license and pay the fee. In addition, Animal Control will issue an identification card to the service dog provided that proof has been submitted to Animal Licensing that the pet has been trained and is used to assist you due to your disability.

How many dogs/cats can I have?

The Oxnard City Code allows a person in a residential zone to maintain no more than four (4) dogs and four (4) cats over the age of four (4) months.

Where does the fee I pay go?

Your license fee goes to the animal licensing program to be used for animal control services and public safety.

Rabies

Rabies is an extremely dangerous virus disease of the brain and spinal cord. It is a disease that can be transmitted by an animal's saliva or skunk spray and can be carried by any warm-blooded animal or human. If left untreated in the human body, it is always fatal. If you do not receive rabies injections, you will die.

Ventura County is a rabies-endemic area. Most cases found in the area involved bats, raccoons and skunks. These animals should always be avoided, especially when you are with your pet.

In order to avoid a rabies incident in your family or pet, we suggest the following guidelines:

• Never allow your pet to roam free where wildlife is or may be present. They do not have to be bit by a rabies-infected animal in order to become infected.
• Vaccinate your pets and monitor revaccination dates. Dogs/cats receive their initial rabies vaccination at 16 weeks and is good for one (1) year. The next series of rabies vaccinations thereafter should be good for three (3) years. Please contact your veterinarian for further information.
• Report all wild animal contact to your animal control agency.
• Never handle wild animals. Sick or dying wildlife should be handled and treated by experts only.
• Never pet or touch bats, raccoons, or skunks, even those kept or shown by experts. (Most wildlife experts usually receive regular low-dose vaccinations called "titers" to help prevent a rabies infection. You do not!)
• Do not attempt to make pets out of wild animals. It is illegal and dangerous.

What to do if bitten by an animal:

• Wash the wound thoroughly with running water and soap to remove the animal's saliva.
• See your doctor at once and have the wound cleaned and other treatment given
• Report to the local health department so that the animal may be located and observed for the specified time.
• DO NOT KILL THE ANIMAL! Report the incident to Animal Control immediately.

Boys and Girls should know these rules:

• Tell your parents immediately if an animal bites you. (If they aren't nearby, tell another adult such as your aunt, uncle, other relative, your teacher, a policeman or your doctor.)
• Never play with a strange dog or cat.
• Never handle wild animals.
• If bitten by a strange dog, or an animal try to remember these.
  1. Tag # if wearing any or any information on the collar tag
  2. Color, size and breed of the animal
  3. The direction in which the animal went

Spay and Neuter

Frequently Asked Questions

What is spaying?

Spaying is the term used for surgical sterilization of a female pet, which is the removal of her ovaries and uterus. The surgery is technically referred to as ovariohysterectomy.

What is neutering?

Although neutering can apply to sterilization surgery on both male and female animals, it is generally used to refer to the surgery on male animals. A male dog or cat is neutered by surgically removing his testicles. The surgery is technically referred to as castration.

When is the right time for my dog/cat to have a surgery?

Traditionally, surgery has been performed starting at the age of six (6) months but in recent years, puppies and kittens as young as eight (8) weeks are being spayed or neutered. This practice has been widely approved by veterinary groups. Consult your veterinarian for more information.

Is there a program out there that can help me pay for the surgery?

Yes. If you have a dog or cat that is not yet spayed or neutered, the City of Oxnard will pay up to $60 for dogs, or up to $50 for cats towards the surgery for your animal… at the participating vet of your choice. The surgery will reduce your next license fee from $50 to $20 per year! The only thing we need from you is for your pet to be currently licensed with us. If you are interested in this program, please come into the office or call us at (805) 385-7818 so that we can issue you a voucher.

Why should I spay or neuter my pet?

Do the math… 1 + 1 = 4,372! How's that? 1 female dog and 1 male dog and their offspring can produce 4,372 puppies in 7 years. Lets try it again… 1 + 1 = 420,000! How's that? 1 female cat and 1 male cat and their offspring can produce 420,00 kittens in 7 years.

Spaying and neutering your pet is good for you, your pet and your community.

• Saves money. Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of serious health problems that can be difficult or expensive to treat.
• Spaying and neutering can make pets better companions.
• Neutering cats make them less likely to spray and mark their territory with pungent urine.
• Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. In dogs, estrus lasts an average of 6 to 12 days - twice a year. In cats, estrus lasts an average of 6 to 7 days - three or more times a year. Female cats in heat can cry incessantly, and female dogs and cats in heat may appear nervous and may attract unwanted males.
• Neutering can make pets less likely to roam, run away, or get into fights.
• Fertile animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than those that have been spayed or neutered.
• Neutering may make dogs less likely to bite.
• Spaying and neutering helps cats and dogs live longer, healthier lives.
• Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, especially when your pet is spayed before the first heat.
• Spaying can prevent various reproductive tract disorders.
• Neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of benign prostate disease.
• Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals. An estimated 8 to 10 million animals enter animal shelters each year. An estimated 4 to 5 million animals are euthanized each year.
• Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
• The stray/feral cat population is estimated to be in tens of millions. Stray pets and homeless animals may get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.

Anti-Chaining Bill Became Law on January 1, 2007

SB 1578, a bill that prohibits a person from tethering, fastening, chaining, tying or restraining a dog to a doghouse, tree, fence or other stationary object, was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on September 27, 2006 and takes effect on January 1, 2007.
[Details] PDF - (95 KB)

Living with wildlife in Oxnard - Coyotes

Seeing or hearing coyotes from a distance can be an enjoyable reminder that we share our world with wildlife. Seeing or hearing coyotes right in your backyard can be a problem...
[Details] PDF - (98 KB)