Bucks County residents can purchase their 2023 dog licenses from Treasurer Kris Ballerini’s office. State law requires that owners purchase a license for all dogs older than 3 months.
Dog owners may notice some changes in the process this year because the county contracted with a new vendor for dog licensing and database services. The website doglicenses.us/PA/Bucks, operated by Fairfield Computer Services, is the only authorized website where residents can buy a Bucks County dog license.
“The new software enables our office to issue licenses more quickly and with lower overhead costs to the taxpayer,” Ballerini said. “The staff time required to distribute licenses is significantly decreased since migrating to the new platform.”
Annual dog licenses cost $8.50, or $6.50 for dogs that are spayed or neutered. Discounts are available to senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Licenses can be purchased online or by mailing an application to the County Treasurer’s Office at 55 E. Court St., Doylestown, PA 18901.
Dogs are eligible for a lifetime license if they have a microchip that was implanted or verified by a veterinarian. Lifetime licenses cost $51.50, or $31.50 for dogs that are spayed or neutered. As with annual licenses, discounts are available to senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
According to state law, owners may face a fine of up to $300 for unlicensed dogs. Ballerini said the county issued about 27,500 licenses last year, though the actual number of dogs in Bucks County is likely much higher.
Revenues from dog licenses sales are split between the County Treasurer’s office, which earns a $1 commission per annual license, and the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, which is part of the state Department of Agriculture. The BDLE is responsible for enforcing kennel licensing and inspections, investigating dog bites, and funding humane organizations to establish dog control facilities.
For more information or help obtaining your dog’s license, residents are encouraged to call Ballerini’s office at 215-348-6244 or visit buckscounty.gov/319.
