Oakland County Extends Free Rabies Vaccine with Dog License Purchase Through End of June

  • Free rabies vaccine clinics Tuesday mornings throughout June.
  • Animal shelter will waive dog license delinquency fee for pet owners who participate.
  • No appointment necessary.

Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center has extended its offer of a free rabies vaccine with the purchase of a dog license on Tuesday mornings through the end of June. Pet owners who take advantage of the offer also will not have to pay the dog license delinquency fee which begins after June 1.

Free rabies vaccines with the purchase of a dog license have been available at the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center in Pontiac from 9-11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays since April. To date, 375 pet owners have opted into the deal.

“Protecting your dog against rabies also protects your family and neighbors,” said Bob Gatt, Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center manager. “We don’t want the cost of the rabies vaccine to be a barrier for anyone getting a dog license.”

If a dog is spayed or neutered, a dog license costs $15 for one year or $40 for three years. For a dog that is not spayed or neutered, those fees rise to $25 or $70, respectively. The three-year license requires a three-year rabies vaccine. Pet owners must bring proof of a prior rabies vaccination to get the three-year vaccine.

After June 1, dog license fees rise to $40 for a spayed or neutered dog for one year, $55 for a spayed or neutered dog for three years, and $85 for a non-spayed or unneutered dog for three years.

Michigan law requires licenses for all dogs as a public health measure to ensure dogs have their rabies vaccines. Plus, it makes it easier to return strays to their owners. For more information, go to www.oakgov.com/petadoption or call 248-858-1070.

About Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center

Since 1980, the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center has been helping animals by providing shelter and care while attempting to reunite them with their owners or to find new homes. The shelter handles more than 4,000 animals per year. The new state-of-the-art shelter is located at 1200 North Telegraph, Building 42 East, in the city of Pontiac on the Oakland County Government campus.  The shelter is 35,000 square feet and provides the very best in industry standards to the animals residing here.