City of Dubuque pet licensing
Why license?
The City of Dubuque requires pet licenses for all cats and dogs, as required by local ordinance. 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 the City of Dubuque 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.
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.
Documents
Spay/Neuter proof
This document is required to qualify for the discounted rate and is only needed once and will be saved to your pet’s profile upon upload for future renewals. This proof declaring that your pet has been spayed or neutered may be in the form of a statement or receipt from the veterinarian, shelter, or clinic that performed the procedure.
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!
License a pet for the first time
I've never licensed a pet with the City of Dubuque before.
License nowIn-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.
City of Dubuque Health Department
1300 Main St, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States
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.
Pet license form
Phone
If you're unable to complete your pet's license online, you can contact our Customer Care team for assistance. Please note that licenses are primarily designed to be completed online, and phone support is intended for troubleshooting or special circumstances.
You must have up-to-date spay/neuter or rabies documentation on file. We can accept credit cards and Visa/Mastercard debit cards for payment.
DocuPet Customer Care: 1-877-239-6072
Hours of Operation:Monday-Saturday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM CST (excluding holidays)Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM CST
License fees & details
Pet licenses are required for all cats and dogs living in Dubuque. Licenses expire exactly 365 days from the start date of the licence, and must be renewed prior to the expiration date. You will receive reminders from us about upcoming license expirations via mail, phone, and email.
| Licenses | Dog License | Cat License |
|---|---|---|
| Altered Pet | $14.00 | $14.00 |
| Unaltered Pet | $34.00 | $34.00 |
- A replacement tag is available for a fee of $5.
- A valid rabies certificate is required to complete the licensing process. You must upload or present your certificates at time of purchase.
- A spay/neuter certificate is required to qualify for the discounted rate.
- Failure to license your pet may result in a fine.
- A late fee of $16.00 will apply 30 days following license expiration. Every 365 days after expiration additional fees will apply to a maximum of 5 years (1826 days).
- Licenses are required for all dogs and cats over 6 months of age.
Frequently asked questions
HELP DESK
Still have a question that you have not been able to answer?
Visit our Help Desk for more information: https://docupetinc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us
LICENSING OPTIONS, DATES, AND LOCATIONS
What is the refund policy on licenses?
Refunds may be granted if your pet has passed away, provided the request is submitted within 30 days of the license purchase date. After this period, we’re unfortunately unable to process a refund.
How old does my pet need to be for me to license them?
All pets over the age of 6 months are required to be licensed.
When does my pet's license expire?
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.
Do licenses need to be renewed annually?
Licenses are required to be renewed prior to the expiration date each year.
When can I renew my pet's license?
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.
PROGRAM AND PARTNERSHIP
Why does the system say my address is not valid?
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 Care directly for assistance if you believe you reside within the licensing jurisdiction but your address is not being accepted by the system.
FEES AND FINES
What is the processing fee?
For all online orders, a processing fee is applied on license purchases at a rate of 2.65% + $0.25 per transaction.
Why am I being charged a late fee?
Late fees come into effect if a license is not renewed within 30 days of the original expiration date. Additional fees will be added for every year the pet is not licensed up to 5 years.
ACCOUNT UPDATES
My pet is no longer with me, but I’m still receiving renewal reminders?
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.
Does my license transfer if I am moving?
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.
How do I notify DocuPet that my pet has passed away?
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'.
TAGS
How do I receive my tag if I don't have a current address?
Please visit the City of Dubuque Health Department in person located at 1300 Main St, Dubuque, IA 52001 , and they will be able to assist you.
Will my pet receive a new free tag with every order?
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.
CITY INFORMATION AND CITY ORDINANCES
Who do I call if there’s an emergency involving dogs? (dog attack, loose dog, etc.)
Please get in touch with the City of Dubuque Animal Control at 563-589-4185.
What species are required to be licensed?
The following species are required to be licensed: Dogs and Cats.
Where can I find information about the pet licensing ordinance/bylaw?
Visit this page for information on licensing ordinances/bylaws.
DOCUMENT SUBMISSION
Why won't the system allow me to license without a new rabies document?
To license your pet, you will be required to show proof that the pet's rabies vaccination is current. Documentation is also required to verify that a pet has been spayed or neutered and must be provided in order to receive the discounted rate. Requiring documentation ensures that provided pet information is accurate, which is critical for identification and safety reasons.
My pet is rabies exempt, what do I do?
You will need to complete the required paperwork and visit the City of Dubuque Health Department in person to qualify for a rabies exemption. They are located at 1300 Main St, Dubuque, IA 52001
I just adopted my pet, but the information on the rabies vaccination certificate does not match my information. What should I do?
If the rabies vaccination certificate does not match your information because the pet was adopted, we recommend contacting the City of Dubuque directly so their team can review and approve the documentation. We suggest reaching out to confirm that you have all required documentation, which may include adoption paperwork, in order to license your pet.