Lee County Pet Licensing
It’s The Law!
If you have read the info below and would like to purchase your pet's license online click the link under number 5. Please be sure you understand the process before continuing or contact our licensing dept. at 533-7387, press option #1 then option #4.
Lee County Ordinance 6-12 requires that all cats, dogs and ferrets that are four (4) months or older be vaccinated against rabies and licensed by the County. Veterinarians are required by state law to notify Lee County Animal Services that their clients’ pets have received a rabies vaccination and whether a county license was purchased. When this information is received in our office we send out letters to pet owners who have not purchased a license. We base our letters on information provided to us by the pet owner’s veterinarian. Therefore, please let us know if any of the information is incorrect.
1. How do I purchase a Lee County license?
Many veterinarians sell Lee County licenses. If your veterinarian participates in the pet licensing program, you may purchase a county license from him or her at the time your pet receives its rabies vaccination. If your veterinarian does not sell licenses, you may purchase one from Lee County Animal Services in person at the shelter, by mail, or online. See additional info below..
2. Where do I purchase a Lee County license?
Lee County Animal Services is located at 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33912. It is next to the Sheriff’ Office off Six Mile Cypress Pkwy. Click here for shelter directions.
3. When can I purchase a Lee County license?
Lee County Animal Services’ business hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Tuesday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Saturday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Note: our adoption and stray kennels do not open until 10 am each day.
4. Can I purchase a Lee County license by mail?
Yes, simply mail a copy of your rabies certificate from your veterinarian with the appropriate fee by check or money order and we will mail the license to you. We are unable to accept credit card payments over the phone.
5. Can I purchase a Lee County license online?
This method of payment is not available as we must have a copy of your pet's current rabies certificate on file before we can issue a pet license. Therefore, you can only purchase a license by mail or in person at our shelter or from veterinarians that sell licenses. Please check with your veterinarian to see if he/she sells the county pet license. Refer to numbers 1 through 4 above.
6. When does my license expire?
The license expires on the same date that the rabies vaccination expires. Rabies vaccinations can be one year or three years in duration depending on the vaccine used and the previous vaccination history of the pet. A one year license is issued for pets receiving a one-year rabies vaccine. A three year license is issued for pets receiving a three-year rabies vaccine. If you are late purchasing your license it will still expire when the rabies vaccination expires. If licenses are not purchased within 30 days of vaccination a $25 late fee will be assessed in addition to the license fee. Late fees are collectable for up to three years. By delaying the purchase of the county license you also risk the possibility of receiving a citation of up to $500 per animal per violation. First violations average between $75 and $100 plus court costs.
7. What is the cost of a Lee County license?
The fee's are as follows:
Juvenile license (pets under 12 months of age) - $8
One-year license for sterilized pets - $8
Three-year license for sterilized pets - $15
One-year license for unsterilized pets - $35
Three-year license for unsterilzed pets - $65
When purchasing your license in person or by mail, be sure the rabies certificate is marked by the veterinarian as to whether the pet is sterilized or not and if microchipped that the microchip number is also included on the certificate for our records.
8. My veterinarian did not give me a rabies tag. Don't I need one?
As of January 1, 2007 veterinarians may not issue private rabies tags. Doing so is a violation of Lee County Ordinance 6-12. A Lee County pet license is the only tag required by law – it serves as both a rabies vaccination tag and pet registration tag for the County.
9. Do pets of seasonal or temporary visitor to Lee County
have to be licensed?
If your pet lives in Lee County for 30 days per year you must have your pet
licensed in Lee County.
10. Does my pet need a new rabies vaccine if it still has a current one from another state?
If your pet's rabies vaccine is still current you only need to purchase a county license. You may purchase the license by bringing or mailing a copy of the rabies certificate to Animal Services. If purchasing my mail, include the appropriate fee and the license will be mailed to you. The Lee County license will expire when the rabies vaccination expires..
11. Why must pets be licensed?
By licensing pets we are able to return pets to their owners when they are lost and we are able to ensure that all pets receive a current rabies vaccination. This is a public health and safety issue. While there are many diseases that pets can contract that are serious to their health or even fatal, these diseases are not a serious threat to humans. Rabies, however, is transmissible to humans and is fatal once contracted. Therefore, it is imperative that we maintain a program to ensure all pets are vaccinated against this fatal disease.
12. Where does the license fee money go?
All license fees collected in Lee County go toward spay and neuter programs to reduce pet overpopulation in Lee County and thereby reduce the number of animals entering Lee County Animal Services’ shelter each year. By spaying and neutering pets we reduce unnecessary euthanasia and save taxpayers’ money. Click here to view a list of license fee money that has been used for spay and neuter programs and how much has been issued to which veterinarians.