Animal Licensing
A key responsibility of the Animal Services Division (ASD) is to protect the public and animals in the County by ensuring that dogs, cats, and ferrets are properly licensed and inoculated against rabies. ASD also issues animal holding facility licenses for grooming establishments, boarding facilities, pet shops, and animal shows.
As stated in the Animal Control Ordinance “a ferret, dog or cat which is 4 months of age or older shall be licensed by the owner as herein provided.” (Section 3-145). A license must be obtained within 30 days after residency is established.
Note: If you are 65 years of age or older, and your pet(s) are altered with current rabies vaccination(s), you are entitled to 2 free pet licenses a year if you purchase your license(s) in person at the Prince George’s County Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center.
Download a PDF copy of the License here.
The following information must be provided with a license application:
- Check or money order made payable to "Prince George’s County" in the appropriate amount
- Copy of current rabies vaccination certificate
- Copy of spay/neuter certificate (if applicable)
License renewals can be mailed or purchased online here.
Annual Fees for Dog/Cat/Ferret Licenses
- $10 for spayed or neutered (altered) pet
- $25 for unaltered pet
Pit Bull Licensing
In accordance with Prince George’s County Code, Section 3-185.01, no person shall own, keep or harbor a Pit Bull Terrier within the County. Pit Bull Terriers are defined as:
- American Pit Bull Terrier Breed
- American Staffordshire Terrier Breed
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed
Exceptions are allowed for any person owning a Pit Bull Terrier prior to November 1, 1996, whose dog has been continuously registered by the administrator of Animal Control since November 1, 1996, and continuously displays a tag provided by the administrator which readily identifies the dog as a registered Pit Bull Terrier. The dog shall be maintained within a building or secure kennel at all times. Whenever the dog is removed from the building or kennel he shall be secured by an unbreakable or unseverable leash and maintained under the control of an adult.
Violations of Section 3-185.01 will result in the illegal Pit Bull Terrier being impounded, and fines up to $1,000 or a sentence of not more than 6 months of imprisonment against the owner.
Holding Facility Licenses
A valid license is required to operate all kennels, catteries, guard or sentry dog facilities, pet shops, riding schools or stables, petting zoos or grooming establishments. For more information, please call 301-780-7251 or 301-780-7252.
Hobby Permits
Anyone who keeps or harbors five or more animals larger than a guinea pig over the age of four months must obtain an Animal Hobby Permit. This section does not apply to licensed animal holding facilities, licensed veterinary hospitals, circus or traveling animal exhibitions or the keeping of farm animals, fish or birds. The annual fee for an Animal Hobby Permit is $5.
Note: Animal Hobby and Animal Holding Facility Permits do not exempt the owner from licensing each animal individually. Service animals may be exempt from licensing fees. Please contact ASD at 301-780-7251 for more information.
Purchasing Locations for Dog/Cat/Ferret Licenses
Walk-In/Mail-In
Please allow 2 weeks for processing when mailing in for a license:
Animal Services Division
Licensing Section
3750 Brown Station Road
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Phone: 301-780-7251
Fax: 301-780-7258
Note: Payment by cash or Credit Card only for Animal Services Division walk-ins.
Walk-In Only
Please contact these locations for payment options and hours of operation:
Bowie Animal Control
15901 Excalibur Road
Bowie, MD 20716
Phone: 301-262-6200
College Park Municipal Center
7401 Baltimore Ave Ste 201
College Park, MD 20740
Phone: 240-487-3520