The license fee structure provides discount incentives when purchasing a multi-year license and/or the dog has been spayed or neutered.
If a licensed natural dog is altered, and one or more full years remain on the term of its license, the owner is eligible for a refund of the difference between the natural and altered license rate for each full remaining year.
10% of the Dog License fees collected annually, rounded up to the nearest dollar, shall be deposited in a Sterilization Trust Fund to augment the Kern County Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program.
Altered:1 Year License: $153 Year License: $30
Altered - Senior Citizen Rate (62 years or older; limit of 3 dogs):1 Year License: $53 Year License: $15
Natural:1 Year License: $603 Year License: $120
Service Dog:No Fee
Other Dog Licensing FeesDuplicate License Tag: $5Dangerous Animal (Per Year in Addition to the Fee Above): $150Dog License Penalty Fees (More than 30 Days Late): $10Dog License Non-compliance Fee: $20
1 Year License: $5Duplicate License: $5*There is no requirement to license cats in Kern County.
Animal adoption fees include spay or neuter surgery cost, first set of vaccinations including a Rabies vaccination (if pet is old enough) and a microchip. For residents who live in the unincorporated areas of Kern County or in the contracted city of Tehachapi, dog adoption fees also include a one-year County license.
Reduced Adoption Fees
Kern County Animal Services consistently offers daily, weekly, or monthly Reduced Adoption Fee events and promotions which allow animals to be adopted at a greatly reduced cost. To see our current and upcoming Reduced Adoption Fee events and promotions, visit our social media pages such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. There's also our ongoing 30 Day Dog and Pets For Vets programs.
Standard Adoption Fees
Female Kitten/Cat: $50Male Kitten/Cat: $40Puppy < 4 months old: $75Dog: $85Dog - Senior Citizen Rate (62 years or older): $75
Adoption fees for other animals (PDF)
(Amount you will need to pay in order to pick up your pet after they have been taken to the shelter)
Charges for Care and FeedingDogs/Cats up to 100 Pounds: $20 per Day per AnimalDogs/Cats over 100 pounds: $25 per Day per AnimalLivestock, Including Exotic Animals: $25 per Day per AnimalCounty Impound FeesLicensed Dogs (Altered)First Impoundment: $15Second Impoundment: $30Third and Subsequent Impoundments: $60
Licensed Dogs (Natural - Includes Food and Agriculture Code Fines)First Impoundment: $50Second Impoundment*: $80Third and Subsequent Impoundments*: $160*Owner is also responsible for cost of sterilization upon second impoundment
Unlicensed Dogs (Altered)First Impoundment: $40Second Impoundment: $80Third and Subsequent Impoundments: $160
Unlicensed Dogs (Natural - Includes Food and Agriculture Code Fines)First Impoundment: $75Second Impoundment*: $150Third and Subsequent Impoundments*: $300*Owner is also responsible for cost of sterilization upon second impoundment
Female Dogs in Season$20 per Dog (in addition to care and feeding fees and impound fees)
Cats (Altered)First Impoundment: $15Second Impoundment: $30Third and Subsequent Impoundments: $60
Cats (Natural - Includes Food and Agriculture Code and Fines)First Impoundment: $50Second Impoundment*: $100Third and Subsequent Impoundments*: $200*Owner is also responsible for cost of sterilization upon second impoundment
Small Animals (Under 25 Pounds, Except Cats and Dogs)First Impoundment: $25Second Impoundment: $50Third and Subsequent Impoundments*: $100*Owner is also responsible for cost of sterilization upon third impoundment
Large Animals (Over 25 pounds, Except Cats and Dogs)First Impoundment: $150Second Impoundment: $300Third and Subsequent Impoundments: $450
Dangerous AnimalsFirst Impoundment: $150Second Impoundment, Within 36 months: $300Third and Subsequent Impoundments, within 36 months*: $450*Owner is also responsible for cost of sterilization upon third impoundment
Veterinary & Farrier FeesVeterinary Costs for Impoundment and Redeemed Animals: Actual CostFarrier Costs for Impoundment and Redeemed Animals: Actual Cost
Note: There is no fee for turning in a found animal that does not belong to you.
Owner Turn-in/Surrender Fees: N/ADelivered to the Shelter, per Animal (Live): $20Delivered to the Shelter, per Animal (Dead): $10Commercial Turn-in/Surrender FeesDelivered to the Shelter, per Animal: $15
1-10 Dogs and/or Cats: $15011-19 Dogs and/or Cats: $30020-49 Dogs and/or Cats: $37550-100 Dogs and/or Cats: $450>100 Dogs and/or Cats: $450 (Plus $10 per Dog/Cat over 100)
Inspections to Ensure Compliance (Per Hour per Officer after Initial Inspection): $60
Rabies Test: $40Rabies Voucher (Under 4 Months of Age): $10Rabies Vaccination, Dog: $10Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza (DHPP) Vaccination: $10Veterinary Costs for Impoundment and Redeemed Animals: Actual CostFarrier Costs for Impoundment and Redeemed Animals: Actual CostExtended Service Fee (per Hour): $60Spay/Neuter Voucher: $20Core Vaccinations, Dog or Cat, Each (Except Adoptions): $10Feline Leukemia/FIV Test: $15Microchip: $15
Document Duplication, Postage and Handling: see Kern County Administrative Bulletin #4
The preceding list of fees may not be complete. Questions? Call (661) 868-7100 to speak with our staff.
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