BARTO, PA — Pennsylvania agriculture officials kicked off the state’s annual dog-licensing push on Thursday, announcing that 2026 licenses will be available beginning December 1 and warning owners that failing to comply can carry steep penalties.
At an event held at Orchard Hills Training Center in Barto, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined Montgomery County treasury officials and canine athletes from the Montgomery County 4-H Speedy Paws Agility Club to highlight the importance of licensing in protecting both pets and communities.
“Pennsylvanians have made it clear that they expect dog owners, kennels, breeders, and shelters to be held to high standards,” Redding said. “They want their communities to be safe from stray and dangerous dogs.”
Beginning December 1, dog owners across the state can purchase 2026 annual licenses through a centralized online portal at licenseyourdogpa.pa.gov. All dogs must be licensed at adoption or purchase, or by three months of age if no transfer of ownership occurs. An annual license costs $10.80, with discounted rates available for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
The price, Redding noted, is far cheaper than the consequences for skipping the requirement. Owners can face fines up to $500 per unlicensed dog, plus court costs.
Thursday’s event underscored the broader public-safety mission behind dog licensing. Revenue from licenses funds Pennsylvania’s dog wardens, who enforce kennel laws, investigate dangerous-dog complaints, and help ensure humane conditions in breeding and shelter facilities.
The Shapiro administration has recently strengthened the state’s Dog Law, adding wardens, tightening oversight of kennels, and streamlining licensing for both owners and businesses.
Montgomery County Treasurer Jason Salus said residents generally support the requirement. “We have found in Montgomery County that people really don’t mind licensing their dogs,” he said. “They understand the protection that dogs get.”
Thursday’s demonstration featured agility dogs decked out in Pennsylvania sports gear, each wearing their official licenses. Redding compared the tags to protective equipment. “The best protective gear for your dog is a license,” he said. “A license keeps your dog out of a shelter if they get lost.”
State officials emphasized that visible tags remain crucial: unlike microchips, which require special scanners, a license on a collar lets lost pets be identified immediately. Last year, only 3% of stray dogs in Pennsylvania could be returned to their owners on the spot.
More information about licensing and dog-safety initiatives is available at licenseyourdogpa.pa.gov.
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