HARRISBURG – PA Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding reminded PA dog owners to purchase a 2024 license from their county treasurer by January 1, 2024. Licenses are not just a legal responsibility of owning a dog, but it’s the best way to bring your pet home quickly if it’s lost. All dogs three months and older are required to be licensed in PA. An annual license is $8.70, and a lifetime license is $51.70. If the animal is spayed or neutered, the annual fee is $6.70, and lifetime is $31.70. Lifetime licenses require that the dog have a microchip or tattoo. Discounts are available to older adults and people with disabilities. A dog license purchase funds the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement’s work which includes inspecting boarding and breeding kennels and ensuring the health and wellbeing of dogs housed there; investigating and prosecuting illegal kennel operators; ensuring dogs in breeding operations don’t go without veterinary care; protecting the public by monitoring dangerous dogs, investigating dog bites, and holding owners responsible; reuniting licensed lost dogs with their families; and helping unlicensed lost dogs find shelter. Fines for unlicensed dogs range from $50 to $300, plus court costs – far more than the cost of a license.