Dog Licensing in Yamhill County

Yamhill County requires every person ​that owns or keeps a dog to obtain a license for their dog, as set forth by Oregon Revised Statute 609.100 and Yamhill County Ordinance 692. Any person who owns or keeps an unlicensed dog in Yamhill County will be subject to a fine. In order to obtain a dog license, the owner must first have a rabies certificate.

Licensing exemptions for assistance animals are provided as outlined in ORS 609.105. Assistance animals are those dogs designated by administrative rule that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual (see ORS 659A.143). Proof of rabies vaccination is still required; there is no licensing fee.

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Please visit our Lost and Found Dogs page for help on reporting missing or found dogs.

Report all animal bites, as required by OAR 333-019-0024, to Yamhill County Public Health: 503-434-7525, whether or not medical treatment is sought. Clinician forms are available here: Animal Bite Reporting Form.

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Failure to license may result in a citation or fine as outlined in Ordinance 692.14. In addition to a citation/fine, owners are responsible for paying a late fee, as outlined in Ordinance 771. If a citation has been issued, the Late License Fee is double the yearly license fee + the appropriate license fee.

 

When to License Your Dog

• Puppies with their permanent canine teeth (fangs) or 6 months of age, whichever comes first.
• If you acquire a dog aged 6 months or older, you have 30 days to get it licensed in your name.
• If a dog resides on your property for more than 30 days out of the year, it is your responsibility to make sure the dog is licensed in Yamhill County.
• You have 30 days to license your dog when you move into Yamhill County. A valid license from another county in Oregon can be transferred to Yamhill County for $2.00 and will expire on the original expiration date.
• Failure to license your dog once they reach the required age, or have been in the County for more than 30 days, will result in a late fee and licensing fees retroactive to the date the dog should have been licensed.

Where to License Your Dog

• At Yamhill County Dog Control, now located at Homeward Bound Spay and Neuter Clinic, 723 NE Evans, McMinnville, OR 97128. They are open for licensing Monday through Thursday from 8:30-3:30 (closed for lunch from 1:00-1:30). Please call 503-472-0341 ext 4 when you arrive, as we have limits on how many people can be in our lobby.
• By mail to Homeward Bound Pets Dog Licensing, P.O. Box 1676, McMinnville, OR 97128.
• By phone 503-472-0341 ext. 4 (rabies certificate must be sent prior to calling)
• If you have not received a citation or written warning, you may license at our remote licenser location, Newberg Veterinary Hospital, 3716 E Portland Road, Newberg, Oregon 97132  Please note that paperwork is only picked up from remote licenser location once a month. Please add 45 days turnaround for dogs licensed at a remote location.

How to License Your Dog

• If your dog is new to Yamhill County, please complete a New Dog Registration Form and submit this form, along with your proof of rabies and payment, to the address on the form.
• A valid Rabies Certificate is required for all new and renewal licensing. You may send your updated rabies certificate via email to [email protected].
• Please note that a license cannot exceed your rabies expiration date and multiple year licensing is optional, not required. See below for pricing options based upon rabies expiration.
• To receive a discount for a spayed or neutered dog, you must have written proof from your veterinarian (often found on your rabies vaccination proof).

License Fees

	Rabies Expires in***
	1 Year	2 Years	3 Years
All Fertile Dogs	$35.00	$70.00	$105.00
Spayed/Neutered Dogs	$20.00	$38.00	$55.00
Senior Fees (65-74)*	$10.00	$18.00	$26.00
Super Senior Fees (75+)**	$4.00	$6.00	$10.00
***1 dog per senior owner aged 65-74, dog must be altered to qualify for senior rate; proof of owner’s DOB is required
**1 dog per super senior owner aged 75 or older; dog must be altered to qualify for super senior rate; proof of owner’s DOB is required
***Licenses may not extend past the rabies certificate expiration date.

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Yamhill County Dog Control receives no general fund (tax) dollars. All funds used to operate Dog Control comes from licensing and redemption fees and donations. It is not only our goal to have all dogs in the County licensed, it is required by State Law.

Licensing your pet has many benefits to our community:

• A license tag will get your pet home in the event he/she gets lost.
• In the case of dog bites, we are immediately able to verify the rabies vaccination status of any dog licensed in the County.
• If there is an emergency with your pet, a license tag will allow us to make immediate contact regarding medical attention.

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