In accordance with state and local laws, pet licenses are mandatory in the City of Des Moines. DocuPet makes it easy for Des Moines 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 the City of Des Moines to support important animal welfare initiatives helping to improve your community.
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.
We securely process payment online and accept all major credit and debit cards as forms of payment.
This document serves as formal proof that your pet has received an approved 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.
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!
I've never licensed a pet with the City of Des Moines before
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.
Please note, cash is not accepted in person and payment must be made using a credit card or Visa/Mastercard debit card.
Des Moines Police Department
21900 11th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198, USA
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.
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 spay/neuter or 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 to 6:00pm PST and Sunday from 8:00am to 4:00pm PST
Pet licenses are required for all cats and dogs living in the City of Des Moines. Licenses expire exactly 365 days from the start date of the license, 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 |
|---|---|
| Altered Dog | $30.00 |
| Unaltered Dog | $75.00 |
| Senior Citizen (65+) - Altered Dog | $0.00 |
| Altered Dog | |
|---|---|
| 1 Year Fee | $30.00 |
| Unaltered Dog | |
|---|---|
| 1 Year Fee | $75.00 |
| Senior Citizen (65+) - Altered Dog | |
|---|---|
| 1 Year Fee | $0.00 |
| Cat Licenses | 1 Year Fee |
|---|---|
| Altered Cat | $30.00 |
| Unaltered Cat | $75.00 |
| Senior Citizen (65+) - Altered Cat | $0.00 |
| Altered Cat | |
|---|---|
| 1 Year Fee | $30.00 |
| Unaltered Cat | |
|---|---|
| 1 Year Fee | $75.00 |
| Senior Citizen (65+) - Altered Cat | |
|---|---|
| 1 Year Fee | $0.00 |
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 (e.g., type St instead of Street.) You may contact DocuPet Customer Support directly if you believe you reside within the licensing jurisdiction but your address is not being accepted by the system.
Visit our Help Desk for more information: https://docupetinc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us
Temporary licenses expire after 30 days. To convert a temporary license into a full license you must provide new proof of rabies vaccination prior to the temporary license expiration date. With the provision of a rabies expiration date in the future, your pet's license will be extended to the full term originally selected.
All pets over the age of 6 months are required to be licensed.
All dogs and cats must be licenced within 30 days of moving into the the City of Des Moines.
Licenses expire exactly 365 days from the license start 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. Rabies must be valid during the time of renewal.
You may license in person at the Des Moines Police Department located at 21900 11th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198.
No refunds are provided on licenses purchased regardless of circumstances.
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.
Late fees are applied at 60 and 120 days past the original expiration date if the license hasn’t been renewed.
Those aged 65 and older may be eligible for a $0 annual senior rate. Your pet must be spayed/neutered to receive the senior rate.
For all online orders a processing fee is applied on license purchases at a rate of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
Please visit the Des Moines Police Department in person if you are qualifying for this rate for the first time. They are located at 21900 11th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198. Once the team there verifies your designation you will be able to renew online in future years.
Even if your pet previously had a Lifetime License, annual renewal is required to verify rabies vaccination status and maintain accurate records. Eligible senior citizens can still renew their pet’s license each year at no cost.
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 the Des Moines Police Department in person located at 21900 11th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198, and they will be able to assist you.
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'.
You are allowed for a maximum of 3 dogs and 3 cats per dwelling.
The following species are required to be licensed: Dogs and Cats.
Visit this page for information on licensing ordinances/bylaws.
Yes! A temporary license can be issued while you gather your documents. Just follow one of the licensing methods listed above to get started. Please note that proof must be submitted before the temporary license expires, otherwise a new license will need to be purchased.
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:
You will need to complete the required paperwork and visit the City of Des Moines in person to qualify for a rabies exemption.
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.