Harrisburg, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s new dog law updates go into effect this week, and with it, fees and kennel standards are increasing.
Though most of the changes are now in effect, increases in dog license fees will not begin until Feb. 1.
“Today is the start of a brighter future for our canine companions in the state of Pennsylvania,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Under the updated Dog Law, we have secured positive changes that will empower dog wardens to enact greater protections for our families and communities, curb dishonest breeding, and safeguard dog health across the Commonwealth.”
Dog licenses, which are required in Pennsylvania, help make dogs readily identifiable in the event they are lost. Even if a dog has a microchip, a license on their collar is clearly visible and helps ensure they make it home rather than ending up in a shelter.
Before the changes, kennel fees had been frozen for nearly 60 years and individual license prices remained unchanged for 30 years, severely straining funds to support enforcement of Pennsylvania’s Dog Law.