How to Register Your Dog in Chicago, IL

If by some unfortunate series of events your doggo was loose in the city, you’d want to know they’d find their way back into your arms as soon as possible. Registration is the best way to do this. Yes, microchipping is helpful. But when your pal is wearing a tag with an identification number, whoever finds them can quickly call the Chicago City Clerk’s office so they can reunite you with your furry BFF. Registering your pup is also the law. The city of Chicago requires that all dogs four months and older are registered. Since your pup is an upstanding canine citizen, they will appreciate having a license. Plus, in order for your pup to stay in most boarding and daycare facilities, they must be registered. Furry friends also need to be registered before entering any Chicago Park District dog friendly areas. So do your pooch a favor and make sure they are registered!

There are two ways to register your beloved pooch with the city of Chicago. You can either apply online or visit one of the three City Clerk’s office. To complete the process online, visit the Chicago City Clerk’s website and click on the EZ>BUY link. Have your pup’s current vaccination record available, as well as their spay or neuter certificate. If you opt for the online route, it will take up to nine business days for your doggo’s emblem to arrive. Check the expiration date of your current tag and make sure you will receive the new one before it expires. You can also register your pup in person. Besides the main City Clerk office, satellite offices are available in the North Side and South Side neighborhoods. Like the online method, in person applicants will need to have a proof of current rabies vaccination and sterilization records, if applicable.

Like most cities, Chicago charges a different amount for registering spayed or neutered animals than unaltered pets. And rightfully so. A muttropolis like Chicago can have thousands of stray pets. To help minimize this, people are encouraged to spay or neuter their animals. It is only $5.00 to register your spayed or neutered dog, or $2.50 if you are a senior citizen. That’s a woofin’ great deal! On the other paw, unaltered dogs cost $50.00 to register, or $5.00 for seniors. So you save up to $45.00 for helping to keep the homeless animal population down. Think of all the treats you can buy your pup with that money! Many Chicagoans don’t register their animals. As a result, city officials have been cracking down on unregistered pets. If your pup is caught without a current license, you could be fined up to $500.00. So register your pal today! Contact the City Clerk’s office with any questions.