Delaware launches new online dog licensing system to help reunite lost pets

Delaware dog owners now have a faster, easier way to license their pets—and bring them home if they ever get lost.

The Office of Animal Welfare (OAW) has teamed up with pet registration provider DocuPet to roll out a new online dog licensing platform and lost pet recovery service across the state.

The user-friendly system is designed to streamline the licensing process and strengthen efforts to reunite lost pets with their families.

Tracking lost dogs

Under the new program, canine owners who register their pets on the DocuPet platform will receive a uniquely coded ID tag linked to a secure online profile.

If a pet goes missing, owners can quickly create a Lost Pet Report.

Anyone who finds a lost canine can use the tag’s code to file a Found Pet Report in seconds. A 24/7 dispatch team is also on hand to help reconnect pets and owners at any hour.

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“Our new partnership with DocuPet will be extremely valuable to dog owners and necessary for animal safety within the state,” said Christina Motoyoshi, director of OAW. “Licensing your dog helps reduce the number of animals in shelters, freeing up space and resources for pets in need. Licensing also helps to ensure public safety and support critical animal services to our community. We’re excited for residents to take advantage of this program to help keep their own pets and others in the community safe.”

Dog licensing is required by law in Delaware for all dogs six months or older and must be accompanied by proof of rabies vaccination.

To encourage pet owners to comply, the state is waiving late fees for expired licenses through July 15, 2025. Existing licenses will remain valid until their expiration.

Pet owners can sign up here, where they can also choose from standard or customizable designer tags.

As a bonus, the promo code “LICENSES” offers $5 off designer tags for a limited time.

The initiative is part of OAW’s ongoing mission to promote animal welfare and public safety across Delaware. T

he program is supported by Delaware Animal Services (DAS), the enforcement arm of OAW that handles dog control, rabies response, and animal cruelty investigations.

DocuPet, which partners with over 180 communities across North America, brings a decade of experience in pet licensing and lost pet recovery services to the state.

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