City of Dubuque Switching to New Pet Licensing Vendor in Early December

NOVEMBER 21, 2025

The City of Dubuque Health Services Department will switch its pet licensing process to a new vendor, DocuPet, in early December. Until that time, new Dubuque pet licenses and renewals are not available for purchase.

Beginning on Dec. 4, 2025, Dubuque pet owners will be able to easily apply for new licenses or renew existing licenses online at cityofdubuque.org/Pets. Licensing by phone and by mail will also continue to be available. City ordinance requires that all dogs and cats be licensed by the City of Dubuque. In order to be licensed, owners must provide documentation that animals have been vaccinated against rabies.

DocuPet will contact current license holders via email or postal mail when their license expires. Once issued, licenses will be active for one calendar year from the issue date and must be renewed annually. Owners will have the option to upload their pet’s rabies vaccination certificate.

DocuPet will issue each pet licensed by the City of Dubuque will receive a free, lifetime identification tag with information that links to a secure online pet profile where photos, contact information, and care instructions can be uploaded. Additional customized tags will be available for purchase.

Registration with DocuPet also provides pet owners with access to the HomeSafe lost pet service. A unique identification code can be shared if the pet is lost or missing. DocuPet works with resources including Petco Love Lost and the National Animal Shelter Network to share information about lost pets to help reunite lost pets with their owners.

DocuPet provides pet registration and lost-pet recovery services to communities throughout North America. Its partnership with the City of Dubuque will offer residents access to a modern licensing system designed to protect pets and bring them home safely if they go missing.

“Pet licensing not only provides a way for a missing pet to get back home, it’s also a key component of public safety,” says Public Health Director Mary Rose Corrigan. “Pet licensing also allows our Animal Control staff to identify pets and respond appropriately.”

Corrigan estimates that switching to DocuPet will result in more than $35,000 in annual operational savings for the City compared to the previous provider.

“The City of Dubuque currently has nearly 11,000 active pet licenses,” said Corrigan. “Providing a state-of-the art system for residents to access real-time pet licensing information and their pet’s status optimizes our customer service and promotes responsible pet ownership.”

Current rates for Dubuque pet licenses are:

$14 for a spayed/neutered dog or cat
$34 for a dog or cat that has not been spayed or neutered
$16 delinquent fee for dogs and cats

Additional information on the City of Dubuque’s pet licensing policies and procedures is available online at cityofdubuque.org/Pets or by calling 563.589.4185.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Director
mcorriga@cityofdubuque.org , 563.589.4181