To ease and modernize the pet licensing process for local pet owners, Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) has teamed up with pet registration and recovery service DocuPet.
This updated system aims to better protect pets and ensure they are brought home safely if they go missing.
“Our pets bring so much love into our homes, and we want to ensure they receive a level of care and protection that reflects that joy they bring us,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “With the addition of DocuPet to our local pet licensing system, we are giving families a simple, modern tool to keep their pets protected while supporting responsible pet ownership and bringing peace of mind to our community.”
LBACS pet registrations now include a DocuPet license as well as access to the 24/7 lost pet service HomeSafe. Each tag comes with a distinct identification code, which corresponds with an online pet profile where owners can upload pet photos and log behavior notes, medical information and emergency contacts.
If their pet goes missing, owners can file a Lost Pet Report, extending the search to include the Petco Love Lost, an extensive photo-matching lost and found database, and DocuPet’s National Animal Shelter Network.
This gives DocuPet’s dispatch team and community partners a better chance to facilitate lost pet reunifications and allows shelters to more promptly identify pets via the usage of identification codes, microchip data and unique markings. Additionally, this partnership with DocuPet means more resources can be targeted towards LBACS’ animal care and community programs.
Benefits for local pet owners include a more convenient licensing experience, enhanced customer service and the chance to buy customized dog tags, with 20% of the purchase price donated to LBACS.
“Licensing is an important responsibility for pet owners, but it should also provide peace of mind,” said Melanie Wagner, Manager of LBACS, in a public statement. “By partnering with DocuPet, we’re making the licensing process simple while ensuring local pet owners have extra protection and resources for their pet to be located if their pet ever goes missing.”
All dogs in Long Beach, Cerritos, Signal Hill and Los Alamitos must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. Cat licenses are also required in Long Beach.
Registration must be done online or in-person at the Long Beach Animal Care Center (7700 E. Spring St.). Seniors aged 60 and above can receive discounted pet licenses.
For more information about DocuPet and pet licensing in Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/acs.
