Most counties require dogs to be licensed, and that license depends on proof of a current rabies vaccination. We administer the vaccine on the schedule your county recognizes and issue the official certificate you'll need to complete licensing — no separate appointment required.
Timing is the part people lose track of: an initial vaccine, a booster on schedule, and then keeping the certificate current as it approaches expiration. We keep your dog's vaccination records on file and send a reminder before the certificate lapses, so licensing renewal doesn't sneak up on you.
What we provide
- Rabies vaccination on the schedule your county requires
- Official rabies certificate for licensing
- Vaccination records kept on file
- Reminders before your dog's certificate expires
Due for a rabies vaccine or a license renewal? One quick visit covers both — give us a call.
What to expect
A rabies visit is quick: a brief exam to confirm your dog is well enough to vaccinate, the vaccine itself, and a signed rabies certificate that comes back with your dog at drop-off. Send us your dog's previous rabies certificate when you book — it tells the veterinarian whether a one-year or three-year vaccine applies.
Dog Rabies Licensing guides & handouts
Take-home guides from our resource library related to this service.
Frequently asked questions
When does my dog need a rabies vaccine and a license?
California requires both within 30 days of your dog turning four months old, of getting a new dog, or of moving here. The first rabies vaccine is good for one year; after that, boosters are good for three years. Canine Rabies Licensing covers the details.
Where do I license my dog?
With the animal services agency for where you live. In the City of Los Angeles that's LA Animal Services; in unincorporated LA County and many of its cities, LA County Animal Care and Control; in most of Orange County, OC Animal Care; and in the San Diego area, San Diego Humane Society or the county's Department of Animal Services. Some cities, such as Long Beach and Pasadena, run their own, so check your city's website if you're unsure.
Is the rabies vaccine safe for my dog?
Yes — serious reactions are rare. Some dogs are a little sore or sleepy for a day. Facial swelling, hives, vomiting, or trouble breathing after any vaccine needs a local emergency vet right away, and if your dog has reacted before, tell us when you book so the veterinarian can plan ahead. Vaccine Reactions explains what to watch for.
Why does rabies still matter in Southern California?
Rabies still circulates in local wildlife — rabid bats turn up across Southern California every year — and it's fatal once symptoms appear, for pets and people alike. A current vaccine protects your dog and your family, and it matters after a bite too: an unvaccinated dog exposed to a rabid animal faces a long, strict quarantine or euthanasia.
Ready to schedule?
Request an appointment or call our team — we pick up pets at meeting points from Greater Los Angeles to San Diego and bring them to our partner hospital in Tijuana.