Dog Licenses Urged As Enforcement Nears In Bucks Co.

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Bucks County Treasurer Mark Moffa is reminding dog owners that state law requires all dogs to be licensed, and that a visible license tag is one of the most effective ways to reunite lost pets with their families.

While the Jan. 1 deadline for 2026 licenses has passed, enforcement efforts by state dog wardens will begin across Bucks County in March.

Dog owners found with unlicensed dogs may face fines of up to $500 per dog, plus court costs.

“Licensing your dog isn’t just a legal requirement — it’s a simple step that can make all the
difference when a pet goes missing,” Moffa said. “When my family’s beagle, Sox, got loose, we were incredibly relieved knowing he was licensed and wearing his tag. Whoever found him would have been able to call the Treasurer’s Office and quickly find out that Sox belonged to us. That little tag helps bring your dog home.”

Under Pennsylvania law, dogs must be licensed at the point of purchase or adoption. License fees
fund the work of dog wardens and support statewide animal control and public safety efforts
through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement.

Unlike microchips — which require a scanner to read — a dog license is clearly visible on a collar
and allows animal control officers, shelters, or good Samaritans to immediately identify where a
dog belongs.

In 2024, only 3 percent of stray dogs statewide could be returned directly to their owners,
and 23 percent were transferred to shelters outside the county where they were found due to limited
shelter space.

Treasurer Moffa emphasized several key benefits of licensing:

• A faster return home: A dog license helps animal control officers and shelters quickly identify a dog’s owner and county of residence.
• Lower cost than penalties: The cost of a license is far less than the fines and court costs associated with an unlicensed dog.
• Support for animal welfare and public safety: License fees help fund inspections, enforcement, and oversight that protect both dogs and the community.

Last year, the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement:

• Licensed nearly 2,800 kennels and conducted over 5,500 inspections statewide
• Revoked or refused licenses for 10 kennels, including several identified on the Humane Society of the U.S. puppy mill list.
• Issued 36 civil penalties for illegal kennel and advertising violations and made numerous referrals for animal cruelty investigations.
• Tracked and monitored 826 dogs deemed dangerous by magisterial judges to help keep communities safe.

Dog owners can purchase annual licenses, learn about lifetime licenses, or find contact
information for their county treasurer or dog warden by visiting www.licenseyourdogpa.pa.gov.

For more information about dog licenses, residents should contact the Bucks County Treasurer’s Office at treasurer@buckscounty.org or 215-368-6244.