Rabies Control and Animal Services Program

Rabies and Animal Control Program Information

Animal Services Program Information

The Rabies Control and Animal Services Program is located in Administration on the sixth floor of the Department of Public Health Brix Building on 1221 Fulton Street, Fresno, CA 93721.

County Animal Services staff and Fresno Humane Animal Services (FHAS- the County's subcontracted Animal Services provider) are responsible for dog licensing, responding to investigations, complaints and violations, breading concerns, animal bite reports, and other animal complaints.

 

 

Public Health Notice

Leptospirosis:

• English(PDF, 190KB)
• Spanish(PDF, 180KB)

Rules for Dog Owners in Fresno County

This flyer summarizes the requirements for dog licensing: Rules for Dog Owners(PDF, 267KB)

Contents

On this page you will find information on these items:

• Find Your Lost Pet
• Disaster Preparedness for Pet Owners(PDF, 480KB)
• Forms and Applications
• Dog License Information
• Dog Breeding and Ownership Changes
• Dog Kennel License Requirements
• Other Provisions of the New Law
• Fresno County Leash Law
• Spay/Neuter Clinics
• Low Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinics
• Medical Treatment to Prevent Rabies Following Animal Bites
• Other Rabies Information 

Forms and Applications

• Dog License Application(PDF, 299KB) - For new and existing dog owners to complete. The application required rabies vaccination certificate, and license fees may all be submitted on-line. Once the requirements for dog licensing have been met, the tags will be mailed directly to dog owners. 
• Dog Ownership Change Form(PDF, 172KB) - For FORMER dog owners to complete.
• Assistance Dog License Application(PDF, 134KB) - For owners and trainers of guide/signal/service dogs
• Records Release Form(PDF, 89KB)
• Canine Rabies Exemption Form(PDF, 292KB)
• Supplemental Rabies Vaccination Exemption Request Form(PDF, 60KB)
• Rabies Exemption Request FAQ(PDF, 10KB)

Dog License Information

• The Dog License Decision Tree(PDF, 59KB) has been created to help determine what is required for dogs.
• Dog License and Rabies Shot (Vaccination)
• How to get a License for your Dog:
• Dog license application forms can be found at many locations.

Dog Breeding and Ownership Changes

• Dog Breeding and Puppies
• When Owners exchange a dog

Dog Kennel License Requirements

NOTICE REGARDING THE AMENDMENT OF FRESNO COUNTY ORDINANCE CODE, TITLE 9, SECTION 9.04.050 – KENNEL LICENSE.

On June 9th, 2020 the Fresno County Board of Supervisors approved the amendment of Fresno County Ordinance Code, Title 9, Section 9.04.050 – Kennel License. This ordinance was amended to require a kennel license in lieu of individual licensing of four or more dogs kept for breeding, boarding, training, or other commercial purposes.

The revised Fresno County Ordinance Code, Title 9, Section 9.04.050 went into effect on June 23, 2020 and is cited below.

9.04.050 - Kennel license.

Every person owning or operating a kennel or place where four or more dogs are kept for breeding, boarding, training or other commercial purposes must obtain a kennel license for all dogs regularly kept therein. It is unlawful for such a person to fail to procure said license. The fee therefor shall be set forth in the county of Fresno Master Schedule of Fees, Charges and Costs Recovery and shall be due, payable, delinquent, and penalized in the same manner as is hereinabove provided for individual dog licenses. Before any kennel license is issued, a permit therefor shall be obtained from the local health officer. All kennels shall be so constructed as to prevent dogs confined therein from running at large or leaving the premises where the kennel is maintained. It shall be operated and constructed in a sanitary and proper manner so that the same will not become a nuisance to the neighborhood thereof. The operation of all kennels licensed pursuant to provisions of this section shall be subject to reasonable regulations of the local health officers.

(Ord. No. 20-011, § 1, 6-23-2020; Ord. No. 17-022, § 1, 11-14-2017; Ord. 91-001, § 3; Ord. 89-006, § 10; prior code, § 402.2)

Kennel Licensing Information and Requirements

• Revised Animal Control Ordinance June 23, 2020(PDF, 2MB)
• Dog Kennel Requirements(PDF, 133KB)

If you have questions regarding dog kennel licensing please contact Fresno Humane Animal Services at (559) 600-7387.

Other Provisions of the New Law

• No dogs or cats given away as prizes.
• No dogs or cats given away as an inducement to enter any establishment.
• No dogs or cats given away in any public place not owned by him or at any swap meet.
• No transferring any dogs or cats to minors without a parent or legal guardian's written permission

Fresno County Leash Law

All dogs must be on a leash in Fresno County - or under the immediate control of a responsible person - if they are off the owner's property. To report a loose dog, call:

Fresno Humane Animal Services
1510 West Dan Ronquillo Dr.
Fresno, CA 93706
559-600-7387 (600-PETS)

Spay/Neuter Clinics

Contact the Fresno Humane Animal Services at (559) 600-PETS (7387) or Low Cost Spay & Neuter Clinic Information and availability.

Vaccination Clinics and Fee Schedule

The Fresno County Department of Public Health collaborates with local veterinarians to schedule low-cost vaccination clinics. Clinics will be posted as they are scheduled.

Fee schedule:

• Vaccination Fee: $10.00 each
• Fresno County Dog License Fee: $78.00 per year each (not spayed/neutered)
• Fresno County Dog License Fee: $4.00 each (spayed/neutered)
• 50 cents for replacement dog tags.

Upcoming Clinics:

None scheduled at this time.

The Fresno County Public Health Laboratory assists in animal bite investigations by testing submitted animals for rabies.

Treatment to Prevent Rabies Following Animal Bites

Following an animal bite, the victim should seek care from their medical provider immediately.

You or your health care provider must report the animal bite to the Fresno County Department of Public Health, Rabies Control and Animal Services Program by calling 559-600-3200 or by using our new electronic process for reporting (ALL BITE REPORTS MUST BE REPORTED). The health care provider will determine whether or not treatment to prevent rabies is needed.

The Fresno County Department of Public Health will also provide additional information to help the health care provider make an informed decision regarding treatment to prevent rabies. Please call 559-600-3332 - Communicable Disease or (559) 600-3413 - Chest Clinic.

Hatching LLC – Fresno County Animal Shelter Report

In June 2024, Fresno County approved Hatching LLC (25-0338), a widely recognized consultant group specializing in animal sheltering and control operations, to evaluate the County’s animal services program, including shelter and field operations, and to provide recommendations for appropriate funding and operational efficiencies.

Please see the following final report from Hatching which provides several fiscal and operational recommendations:

• Report File #25-0338
• Report on the 2024 Animal Center Internal Operations and Climate Assessment

Other Rabies Information

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)