Since taking office,\u00a0Governor Josh Shapiro\u00a0has strengthened Pennsylvania\u2019s Dog Law, making Pennsylvania a safer, healthier place for dogs in kennels and shelters, and protecting communities from stray and dangerous dogs.<\/p>\n
Thanks to the dedicated work of Pennsylvania\u2019s State Dog Wardens, dogs like Valentine are rescued, protected, and given a second chance.<\/p>\n
This lifesaving work is made possible by dog license sales. When owners purchase a license, they\u2019re not just meeting a requirement \u2014 they\u2019re investing in the safety, care, and well-being of dogs across Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
Harrisburg, PA\u00a0\u2013 This Valentine\u2019s Day,\u00a0Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding\u00a0is encouraging Pennsylvanians to show their love by purchasing a dog license \u2014 a simple step that supports not only their own pet, but dogs across the Commonwealth. Redding highlighted stories from\u00a0Pennsylvania\u2019s State Dog Wardens, whose lifesaving work \u2014 funded by dog license sales \u2014 has helped ensure dogs in need are rescued, protected, and cared for in shelters, or returned safely to their owners.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor dogs, love isn\u2019t just belly rubs, long walks, and extra treats,\u201d said\u00a0Secretary Redding. \u201cIt\u2019s protection, responsibility, and making sure every dog has someone looking out for them. When owners purchase a license, they\u2019re doing more than meeting a requirement. They\u2019re funding rescues for dogs like Valentine, supporting inspections that keep kennels and shelters accountable, and helping keep communities safe. Licensing is one of the simplest and most powerful ways Pennsylvanians can protect dogs across our Commonwealth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Redding highlighted the story of a stray dog, now known as Valentine.\u00a0 Last February,\u00a0State Dog Warden Sarah Morehart\u00a0began receiving reports from alarmed community members seeing a pit bull with cropped ears running loose, growling at anyone who got close. The dog had retreated into the woods, and with an ice storm approaching, Morehart needed to get the dog to safety and keep the community safe from a dog feared to be aggressive.<\/p>\n
Morehart, with the help of a neighbor, was able to trap the dog, which turned out not to be aggressive. Instead she was in poor health, with skin disease that made her sensitive, but with a sweet disposition. Dubbed Valentine for her temperament, after excellent care in the\u00a0Clinton County SPCA Shelter, she is now healthy, sporting a shiny coat, and is up for adoption.<\/p>\n
Valentine\u2019s rescue, and hundreds more like hers across the state, are made possible by license sales that support the work of the Pennsylvania dog wardens. These wardens also hold dog owners, kennels, and shelters to high standards set forth in Pennsylvania\u2019s Dog Law. They keep communities safe from stray dogs and dangerous dogs, help reunite families with their furry friends, and improve quality of life for all dogs across the state.<\/p>\n
Since taking office,\u00a0Governor Josh Shapiro\u00a0has increased protections for Pennsylvania dogs and their owners by strengthening Pennsylvania\u2019s Dog Law, making Pennsylvania a safer, healthier place for dogs in kennels and shelters, and ramping up work to protect communities from stray and dangerous dogs.<\/p>\n
This Valentine\u2019s Day, officials encourage Pennsylvanians to show their love the responsible way: by licensing their dogs and supporting the work that keeps all Pennsylvania dogs safe.<\/p>\n
Dog License Basics<\/p>\n
A dog license is a legal responsibility of owning a dog in Pennsylvania and the best way to ensure that your pet is back in your arms if it gets lost. Sales of dog licenses fund dog wardens\u2019 work to protect all Pennsylvania dogs and the communities they live in.<\/p>\n
Dogs must now be licensed at the point of adoption or purchase, or at three months if no transfer of ownership has taken place. The earliest that dogs can be purchased or adopted in Pennsylvania is eight weeks old.<\/p>\n
An annual license costs $10.80. Lifetime licenses are\u00a0available for $52.80 for dogs with permanent identification like a microchip or tattoo. Senior adults and people with disabilities may be eligible for discounted fees of $8.80 for an annual license or $36.80 for a lifetime license.<\/p>\n