• To get a new pet license, you will need your animal information as well as your current rabies vaccination document.  Our licensing partners do have to verify current rabies vaccination status to issue the license.

• Rabies vaccinations must be administered by a licensed veterinarian.
• The rabies tag you receive from the veterinarian is not a County License. You must maintain a separate County License. Why?
  • We do not maintain a database that contains information on veterinary clinic vaccination tags that are issued, only those that are Osceola County tags.
  • If the clinic is closed and your pet is lost or injured, we have no way to obtain owner information.
  • The Osceola County Tag information is readily accessible by Animal Services staff, including the rabies vaccination status of the animal. This information is important in animal to human bite situations to verify vaccination status. Having a current County tag on your pet may avoid a trip to the animal shelter for your pet and you having to pay associated fees or fines.
  • Free ride home for your lost pet! If your pet is loose but not causing a public safety issue, the Animal Control Officer will bring your pet to you, if you can be reached, rather than bring him to the shelter. This saves you time and money!
• Your County License is only valid until the rabies vaccination expires. If the vaccination is only 1-year, do not choose the 3-year license option.
• Providing false information regarding the rabies vaccination status of your pet may result in the issuance of a citation. By submitting an electronic request for pet licensing, you are acknowledging that the information being provided is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge.

Florida State Statute: 828.30(1) Rabies vaccination of dogs, cats, and ferrets.— (excerpt)

1. All dogs, cats, and ferrets 4 months of age or older must be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian against rabies with a vaccine that is licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture for use in those species. The owner of every dog, cat, and ferret shall have the animal re-vaccinated 12 months after the initial vaccination. Thereafter, the interval between vaccinations shall conform to the vaccine manufacturer’s directions. The cost of vaccination must be borne by the animal’s owner.
2. A dog, cat, or ferret is exempt from vaccination against rabies if a licensed veterinarian has examined the animal and has certified in writing that at the time vaccination would endanger the animal’s health because of its age, infirmity, disability, illness, or other medical considerations. An exempt animal must be vaccinated against rabies as soon as its health permits.
3. Upon vaccination against rabies, the licensed veterinarian shall provide the animal’s owner and the animal control authority with a rabies vaccination certificate. Each animal control authority and veterinarian shall use the “Rabies Vaccination Certificate” of the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV) or an equivalent form approved by the local government that contains all the information required by the NASPHV Rabies Vaccination Certificate.