Coral Springs and Broward County are updating pet license fees by offering a lower rate for pets with microchips and a higher fee for those without starting May 1
Coral Springs, Florida – A significant change in the way pet license fees are determined will soon be implemented for dog and cat owners in Coral Springs and throughout Broward County. Starting May 1, pet owners will pay a new fee structure based on whether their pets have a microchip, marking a departure from the current system, which charges owners based on whether their pets are sterilized.
Under the new policy, pet owners will pay $25 to register their pets if the animal has a microchip and $55 if there is no microchip. This change was announced by Doug Brightwell, the director of the Broward County Animal Care program, at a recent Coral Springs City Commission meeting. Brightwell emphasized that the move aims to encourage more pet owners to microchip their animals, which is a proven method for reuniting lost pets with their owners.
The decision to adjust the fee structure comes shortly after another significant policy update by the Broward County Animal Care program. Starting in January 2025, pet owners will no longer need to get new tags for their pets every year. Instead, they will be issued a lifetime tag, much like an automobile registration tag, that remains with the animal for its entire life. “That tag and that tag number will stay with the pet for its entire life,” Brightwell explained during the meeting. This new approach eliminates the hassle of changing a pet’s tag every year and provides a more permanent identification solution.
Although the tags themselves will remain the same for the pet’s lifetime, pet owners will still need to register annually to obtain an updated certificate. The updated certificate will reflect the pet’s most recent rabies vaccination, which is a requirement for registration. “Pets are only issued registration tags after receiving their rabies vaccination,” said Brightwell. The law mandates that all dogs, cats, and ferrets in the county must be vaccinated against rabies to help protect both animals and humans from the deadly disease.
Rabies is a serious threat to public health, and the vaccination plays a critical role in preventing the spread of the virus among both domestic pets and wildlife. According to the Broward County Animal Care website, the rabies vaccine protects residents, their pets, and other animals from contracting the disease. “Rabies is deadly to both animals and humans, so the vaccination is crucial,” the website states.
In addition to the changes in registration fees and tag issuance, animal care officials note that microchips and registration tags are the best tools for ensuring that lost pets are safely reunited with their owners. A microchip serves as a permanent form of identification, making it easier for shelters and veterinarians to return pets to their homes if they are found.
The registration fees will continue to support the operations of the Broward County Animal Care shelter, which relies on the funds to provide food, shelter, and care for animals in need. The updated fee structure is designed to encourage responsible pet ownership while also making it more affordable for pet owners who take the extra step of microchipping their pets.
This change is expected to be a positive step toward increasing pet identification and improving the chances of lost pets being returned to their homes. As the new policy rolls out in May, pet owners in Coral Springs and Broward County will have a simple choice: pay less and microchip their pet, or pay more and go without.
