Kennel Permits

Why should I license my dog?

If your dog gets lost, a valid license will identify the dog and his/her owner. This way we can reunite lost pets with their owners. Having your dog licensed also shows that your dog has a current rabies vaccination.

Pursuant to Part 4, Chapter 7, Article 3, Section 3000 (Animal Laws)

Except as established in section 4-07-3010(B), every Dog meeting the minimum age requirements to receive a rabies vaccination shall be subject to a Dog license fee, due and payable by its Owner or Custodian within thirty (30) calendar days of the acquisition of the Dog, or entry into the County.  Thereafter, such license fee shall become due and payable on the date of expiration on any license previously issued to the Owner or Custodian for the Dog. The amount of such fee shall be established in accordance with Section 4.07.1300 of this chapter. No license shall be issued without evidence of a valid rabies vaccination.

Pursuant to Part 4, Chapter 7, Article 4, Section 4000 - Permitting (Animal Laws)

1. No person shall operate a Commercial, Non-commercial, Boarding, or Rescue Kennel without first obtaining the proper permit or registration in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter and paying such fees as established by Animal Services. These permits shall expire June 30 of every calendar year. 
2. All Kennels must also operate in accordance with applicable zoning laws. Commercial, Rescue, and Boarding Kennels require a special use permit.  Any Kennel not operating within the proper zone and/or with a special use permit will be subject to the penalties of Code Enforcement. 
3. Any Commercial Kennel or person engaging in the breeding of Animals shall be required to obtain and maintain a Breeding Permit from Animal Services for each female Animal being bred.
4. Any Kennel must comply with the Kennel Minimum Standards for that Kennel type, available from Animal Services.

You may license up to four dogs individually. Kennel permits cover addresses that have five or more dogs. All kennel premises are inspected annually by an Animal Control Officer and are also reviewed by the Tulare County Resource Management Agency. A special use permit may be required from the Tulare County Resource Management Agency, depending on the zoning of your property.

 

Purchasing a Kennel Permit

Tulare County Animal Services offers two options to purchase or renew your kennel permit.

 

MAIL

Click here to download the Kennel Application for 2024-25.  (Fees changed 7/1/24)

Click here to download the Kennel Application Check List (to be returned with the Kennel Application)

Click here to download the Commercial Kennel Minimum Standards.

Click here to download the Animal Rescue Kennel Minimum Standards.

Click here for Breeder Permits.

Complete the application(s) and submit proof of rabies vaccinations for all dogs in your proposed kennel, along with payment. 

• Current rabies certificates must be included for all dogs in the kennel.
• Microchip numbers for all dogs in the kennel.
• A Commercial Kennel may obtain no more than five (5) breeding permits per calendar year. Permits are non-transferable and in the event that a Dog covered by a breeding permit dies or otherwise becomes unbreedable for that year, no replacement permits will be issued.  TCAO § 4-07-430(C)
• No breeding permits will be issued for Non-commercial Kennels. TCAO § 4-07-4300(D)
• If applying for the Non-Commercial Kennel Permit for 5–10 altered dogs, proof of surgery certificate(s) must be attached unless previously verified.

Mail: 14131 Ave. 256, Visalia, CA  93292

Rabies certificates and spay/neuter certificates can also be forwarded by fax or email.

• Fax: (559) 749-9815 (new fax number July 2023)
• Email:  TCASLicensing@tularecounty.ca.gov (pdf images preferred)

 

VISIT US (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY)

Visit our Tulare County Animal Shelter in Visalia at 14131 Ave. 256. You do not need to bring your dogs with you to the shelter in order to purchase or renew a kennel permit. Shelter hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Closed Sundays and holidays.

Unincorporated Tulare County
Type of Permit*	Permit Fee
Commercial Kennel Permit (5-25 dogs)	$300
Non-Commercial Kennel Permit (5–10 altered dogs)	$75
Non-Commercial Kennel Permit (5-25 dogs)	$150
Rescue 501c3 Kennel Permit (5-25 dogs)	$75
Breeder Permit Fee	$100
Re-Inspection Fee	$110
Dog License Fee Every Unaltered Dog covered by the Kennel Permit requires an individual Unaltered License.  TCAO 4-07-4005(E)	$45
Late Fee In addition to any penalties incurred for operating a Kennel without a valid   Permit, a late penalty equal to ten percent (10%) of the total fee for the Kennel Operation (the sum of the Kennel Permit fee, any Unaltered License fee(s), and any Breeder Permit fees) shall apply to all renewal applications submitted after August 31st.  TCAO § 4-07-4008(C)	10%

Make checks and/or money orders payable to: Tulare County Animal Services or TCAS

*Permit may be dependent on Special Use Restrictions

The licensing of dogs is required by state law and county ordinance. Dog licensing is an integral component of the statewide rabies control effort. All dogs are required to be licensed at the age of four months and provide proof of a rabies vaccination that covers the term of the license. An additional requirement is for licensed dogs to display the license tag at all times. Tulare County Animal Services use the dog license, microchip, and any other owner information to contact the owners of lost animals.  Any dog found not to be rabies vaccinated and licensed will be cited for a dog license violation in accordance with Tulare County Animal Ordinance (TCAO) 4-07-3000, a rabies vaccination in accordance with TCAO 4-07-3100, a kennel permit violation in accordance with TCAO 4-07-4000, and a breeder permit violation in accordance with TCAO 4-07-4300.