Recently, Harris County has updated some of its county requirements regarding licensing of cats and dogs. Currently, the county requires all cats and dogs over three months or 12 weeks to be vaccinated against rabies and microchipped.
Cats and dogs (whether inside or outside) are required to be licensed, chipped and show proof of rabies vaccination. Failure to have your cat or dog microchipped, vaccinated against Rabies and registered with the county may result in fines.
Pet owners should be aware that the county is requiring veterinarians to report the cats and dogs that they vaccinate against rabies on a regular basis. Veterinarians that do not comply are subject to a $500/day fine from the county.
As a result, your veterinarian is likely reporting pets they vaccinate, and if they are not already licensed through the county or don’t have microchips for identification purposes, the county may issue a fine to pet owners.
The County’s website states,
A. The custodian of every dog or cat (excluding animal shelters) must ensure that the dog or cat that is over three (3) months of age is licensed by HCPH VPH.
B. In order to be licensed by HCPH VPH, the custodian must provide the identification number of the dog or cat’s implanted microchip, a physical description of the animal, and proof that the animal is currently vaccinated against rabies.
C. Upon presenting proof that a dog or cat is currently vaccinated with a one 1-year rabies vaccination and payment of a $60.00 fee to HCPH VPH, the animal will be licensed for one (1) year term. The license will expire when the rabies vaccination expires or within 12 months of the license date, whichever occurs first in time.
D. Upon presenting proof that a dog or cat is currently vaccinated with a 3-year rabies vaccination and payment of a $180 fee to HCPH VPH, the animal will be licensed for three (3) year term. The license will expire when the 3-year rabies vaccination expires or within 36 months of the license date, whichever occurs first in time.
E. Upon presenting proof that a dog or cat is currently vaccinated with a one 1-year rabies vaccination, proof that the animal is spayed or neutered and the payment of a $20 fee to HCPH VPH, the animal will be licensed for one (1) year term. The license will expire when the rabies vaccination expires or within 12 months of the license date, whichever occurs first in time.
F. Upon presenting proof that a dog or cat is currently vaccinated with a 3-year rabies vaccination, proof that the animal is spayed or neutered and payment of a $60 fee to HCPH VPH, the animal will be licensed for three (3) year term. The license will expire when the 3-year rabies vaccination expires or within 36 months of the license date, whichever occurs first in time.
Based on these requirements, Urban Animal Veterinary Hospital encourages pet people with cats and dogs to ensure their pets are microchipped, current on their rabies vaccination and licensed through the county, if they have not already done so.
Additionally, microchipping is beneficial to your pets. Lost or even stolen pets can be returned to their homes when they are scanned. This is why it’s also important to ensure your microchip is registered with the provider and is associated with your name, current address and phone number. Microchips help reunite thousands of animals with their homes!
If you have any questions about licensing or requirements, you can contact BARC the animal organization for the county that issues the licenses or reach out to your family veterinarian. Urban Animal Veterinary Hospital is happy to work with you and your pet and administer a microchip and ensure your animal companion’s rabies vaccination is current and in compliance with the county!
