Why License

In accordance with state and local laws, pet licenses are mandatory in Deschutes County. In fact, licenses are mandatory in nearly every community across North America. Why? Because licenses help keep pets and the communities they live in safe. DocuPet was brought on board to simplify and improve pet licensing to benefit not only pet owners like you, but the entire community. DocuPet makes it easy for Deschutes County to deliver a successful pet licensing program with a streamlined software and management solution that makes licensing a breeze for pet owners and administrators alike.

Check out the ways you can license your pet below and feel good knowing that 100% of licensing revenue funds are given to Deschutes County to support important animal welfare initiatives helping to improve your community.

What will you need?

Licensing your pet will require specific information and proof. Having these items at the ready allows for the fastest experience. You have the option to upload a document as a saved or scanned file, or you may take a photo directly from your device on our upload page.

Payment

We securely process payment online and accept all major credit and debit cards as forms of payment.

Document

Rabies vaccination proof

This document serves as formal proof that your pet has received a rabies vaccination. This document may be in the form of a Rabies Vaccination Certificate that has been signed by a veterinarian or certified professional. It is the law that pets must be up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations, so new documents will need to be uploaded to your pets profile as they receive their booster shots.

How to License

Online

The fastest and easiest way to license or renew is right here. You'll create a profile for your pet, upload any necessary documents, process your license registration, and receive purchase confirmations via email. Payment can be made using a credit card or Visa/Mastercard debit card. Each year, you just need to log in to your existing account and renew - it's super easy!

Renew my pet's license

My pet has a license, but it has expired or will very soon.

Renew now

License a pet for the first time

I've never licensed a pet with Deschutes County before

License now

In-person

In person licensing is available at the following location(s) however it's important to know you will still receive your tag in the mail:

Don't forget to check hours of operation, appointment policies, and accepted payment methods prior to heading out.

Deschutes County Dog Licensing: 541-388-6637
1300 NW Wall St STE 203, Bend, OR 97703

BrightSide Animal Center: 541-923-0882
1355 NE Hemlock Ave, Redmond, OR 97756

Humane Society of Central Oregon: 541-382-3537
61170 SE 27th St, Bend, OR 97702

Mail

If you opt to license via snail mail - keep in mind processing your registration will take a lot longer!

Make sure you complete the below form in full and that it is free of any errors otherwise your registration may not be successfully processed. The fine print is there for a reason so keep an eye out for accepted payment methods, who the check should be made out to, where it should be mailed, and any required supporting documentation.

Dog license form

Phone

If you're having trouble licensing online and need to get your registration processed in a hurry, you can contact our customer care team and they may be able to process your pet license over the phone. Note that you must have up to date rabies documents on file and we can only accept credit cards and Visa/Mastercard debit as payment.

DocuPet Customer Care: 1-877-239-6072
Hours of Operation: Monday-Saturday (excluding holidays) from 6:00am-6:00pm PST

Deschutes County Details & Fees

Pet licenses are required for all dogs living in Deschutes County. Licenses are available for 1, 2, and 3 year terms and must be renewed prior to the expiration date. You will receive reminders from us about upcoming license expirations via mail, phone, and email.

Dog Licenses 1 Year Fee 2 Year Fee 3 Year Fee
Spayed/Neutered Dog $22.00 $39.00 $58.00
Unaltered Dog $36.00 $67.00 $98.00
Senior Owner (62+) - Spayed/Neutered Dog $16.00 $32.00 $48.00
Spayed/Neutered Dog
1 Year Fee $22.00
2 Year Fee $39.00
3 Year Fee $58.00
Unaltered Dog
1 Year Fee $36.00
2 Year Fee $67.00
3 Year Fee $98.00
Senior Owner (62+) - Spayed/Neutered Dog
1 Year Fee $16.00
2 Year Fee $32.00
3 Year Fee $48.00
  • A replacement Deschutes County tag is available for a $5 fee.
  • A valid rabies certificate is required to complete the licensing process. You must upload or present your certificates at the time of purchase.
  • All licenses expire the day they were purchased, 1, 2, or 3 years in the future depending on the term of the license purchased, so long as the rabies vaccination remains valid for the duration of the chosen license. If your pet’s rabies vaccination expires prior to the selected license term, the license will expire on the rabies vaccination expiration date.
  • Deschutes County recognizes service animals and offers a $0 license fee for dogs that meet ADA requirements. To license a service dog for the first time, please contact Deschutes County directly. Future renewals may be done online once the status is verified.
  • Pet owners must be 62 years of age or older with an altered (spayed/neutered) dog to qualify for senior citizen rates.
  • Licenses are required for all dogs over 6 months of age.

Frequently Asked Questions

PROGRAM AND PARTNERSHIP

You may have entered your address incorrectly or we may not have your address in the address database for your community. Please double-check all spelling and ensure you are using the abbreviated form for your street type ex. St instead of Street. You may contact Deschutes County Dog Licensing directly if you believe you reside within their jurisdiction but your address is not being accepted by the system.

HELP DESK

Visit our Help Desk for more information: https://docupetinc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us

LICENSING OPTIONS, DATES, AND LOCATIONS

Deschutes County provides licensing services for the following areas: Deschutes County, City of Redmond, City of Bend, City of Sisters, City of La Pine, Sunriver, Terrebonne, Black Butte Ranch, and Crooked River Ranch.

All pets over the age of 6 months are required to be licensed.

You may renew your pet's license within 60 days of your pet's current license expiration date. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new license will start the day after expiration, not on the date of purchase.

In Deschutes County, a pet license may not be valid at any time that a pet's rabies vaccination is not current.

Temporary licenses expire after 60 days. To convert a temporary license into a full license you must provide new proof of rabies expiration prior to the temporary license expiration date. If the newly provided rabies expiration date falls prior to the term end, the new license expiration date will be the same as the rabies vaccination expiration date.

Refunds may be granted for a license if a pet passes away within 30 days of the license purchase.

All dogs must be licenced within 30 days of moving into Deschutes County.

You may license in person at Deschutes County Dog Licensing (1300 NW Wall St #203, Bend), the BrightSide Animal Center (1355 NE Hemlock Ave, Redmond), or at the Humane Society of Central Oregon (61170 SE 27th St, Bend).

Licenses expire at the end of the license term selected unless your pet's current rabies vaccination expiration date falls prior to the end of the term. A license cannot be valid at any time a pet's rabies is expired. If you provide new proof of rabies expiration extending beyond the original term selected prior to the license expiration date, your pet's license may be extended to the full term originally selected.

Please visit Deschutes County Dog Licensing in person as kennel licensing is not processed through DocuPet. They are located at 1300 NW Wall St #203, Bend, OR 97703.

FEES AND FINES

Those aged 62 and older may qualify for a senior citizen rate.

No, there is no discount for licensing multiple pets. Each pet will be charged the appropriate licensing fee.

TAGS

No, each pet will only receive one free tag with their first license via DocuPet. This tag doesn’t expire. If you’ve already received a DocuPet tag, your furry friend is good to go! If you’d like a new tag, you can purchase a standard replacement tag or a new designer tag during the license order process or in our store.

Please visit Deschutes County Dog Licensing in-person located at 1300 NW Wall St #203, Bend, OR 97703, and they will be able to assist you.

ACCOUNT UPDATES

We’re sorry! Unfortunately, unless you update your account to reflect that a pet is no longer in your care, we have no way of knowing. Have you already told us? You may have a duplicate account. Get in touch with your licensing organization or our DocuPet customer service team to update your record.

If you are moving, please be sure to update your address by logging into your online account and navigating to your Profile Settings page. Even though you are moving, you’ll still be able to keep your pet's tag and access your pet's online account. However, your current license may not be valid in the new community you are moving to. Please get in touch with the pet licensing provider in the new community you are moving to in order to find out more information.

We're sorry for your loss. You can update a pet's profile via your online account by editing your pet's profile and selecting 'Remove this Pet'.

CITY INFORMATION AND CITY ORDINANCES

Please get in touch with the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office at (541) ​693-6911.

The following species are required to be licensed: Dogs

Visit this page for information on licensing ordinances/bylaws.

Per ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Service Animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Oregon law uses the same definition but uses the term "assistance animals" rather than service animals. If the dog’s mere presence provides comfort (emotional support animals), it is not a service animal under the ADA. But if the dog is trained to perform a specific task related to a person’s disability, it is a service animal under the ADA. To obtain approval for a service animal designation, please contact Deschutes County Dog Licensing at (541) 388-6637 or email petlicensing@deschutes.org.

DOCUMENT SUBMISSION

To license your pet, you will be required to show proof that the pet's rabies vaccination is current. Requiring documentation ensures that provided pet information is accurate, which is critical for identification and safety reasons.

Documentation uploaded via the online system is typically reviewed within two to three business days.

If you can’t locate the document you received after the procedure was done, you will need to contact your vet to obtain your pet's records. Be sure to specify any and all pets you require documentation for.
Once you’ve got the paperwork in your hands, take a look to ensure:

  • The document provided is the right type of proof required.
  • Pet and pet owner account data matches your own.
  • The document is clear and legible.

You will need to complete the required paperwork and visit Deschutes County Dog Licensing in person to qualify for a rabies exemption.