Why License?

In accordance with state and local laws, pet licenses are mandatory in the City of Southport. In fact, licenses are mandatory in nearly every community across North America. Why? Because licenses help keep pets and the communities they live in safe. DocuPet was brought on board to simplify and improve pet licensing to benefit not only pet owners like you, but the entire community. DocuPet makes it easy for the City of Southport to deliver a successful pet licensing program with a streamlined software and management solution that makes licensing a breeze for pet owners and administrators alike.

Check out the ways you can license your pet below and feel good knowing that 100% of licensing revenue funds are given to the City of Southport to support important animal welfare initiatives helping to improve your community.

What will you need?

Licensing your pet will require specific information and proof. Having these items at the ready allows for the fastest experience. You have the option to upload a document as a saved or scanned file, or you may take a photo directly from your device on our upload page.

Payment

We securely process payment online and accept all major credit and debit cards as forms of payment.

Documents

Spay/Neuter proof example

Spay/neuter certificate

This document is required to qualify for the discounted rate and is only needed once and will be saved to your pet’s profile upon upload for future renewals. This proof declaring that your pet has been spayed or neutered may be in the form of a statement or receipt from the veterinarian, shelter, or clinic that performed the procedure.

Rabies proof example

Rabies vaccination proof

This document may be in the form of a Rabies Vaccination Certificate that has been signed by a veterinarian or certified professional. It is the law that pets must be up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations, so new documents will need to be uploaded to your pets profile as they receive their booster shots.

How to License

  • Online
  • In-person
  • Mail
  • Phone

The fastest and easiest way to license or renew is right here. You’ll create a profile for your pet, upload any necessary documents, process your license registration, and receive purchase confirmations via email. Payment can be made using a credit card or Visa/Mastercard debit card. Each year, you just need to log in to your existing account and renew - it’s super easy!

Renew my pet's license

My pet has a license, but it has expired or will very soon.

Renew now

License a pet for the first time

I've never licensed a pet with the City of Southport before.

License now

In person licensing is available at the following location(s) however it’s important to know you will still receive your tag in the mail:

Don’t forget to check hours of operation, appointment policies, and accepted payment methods prior to heading out.

Southport City Hall
1029 N. Howe Street Southport, NC 28461

If you opt to license via snail mail - keep in mind processing your registration will take a lot longer!

Make sure you complete the below form in full and that it is free of any errors otherwise your registration may not be successfully processed. The fine print is there for a reason so keep an eye out for accepted payment methods, who the check should be made out to, where it should be mailed, and any required supporting documentation.

Pet license form

Download Application Form

If you’re having trouble licensing online and need to get your registration processed in a hurry, you can give our customer care team a call and they may be able to process your pet license over the phone. Note that we can only accept credit cards and Visa/Mastercard debit as payment.

DocuPet Customer Care: 1-877-239-6072
Hours of Operation: Monday-Saturday (excluding holidays) from 9:00am-9:00pm EST

City of Southport Details & Fees

Pet licenses are required for all dogs and cats living in the City of Southport. They must be renewed every year prior to the expiration date. Licenses expire exactly 365 days from the start date of the license. You will receive reminders from us about upcoming license expirations via mail, phone, and email.

License Type Fee
Intact Dog or Cat $25.00
Spayed/Neutered Dog or Cat $15.00
Intact Dog or Cat
Fee $25.00
Spayed/Neutered Dog or Cat
Fee $15.00

A replacement the City of Southport tag is available for a $3.00 fee or at no additional charge when you license your pet.

A valid rabies certificate is required to complete the licensing process. You must upload or present your certificates at time of purchase.

A fine up to $50.00 may be charged for failing to comply.

Frequently Asked Questions

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HELP DESK

Visit our Help Desk for more information: https://docupetinc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us

LICENSING OPTIONS, DATES, AND LOCATIONS

You may license in person at the City of Southport located at 1029 N. Howe St

Licenses expire exactly 365 days from the license start date. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new license will start the day after expiration, not on the date of purchase.

Licenses are required to be renewed prior to the expiration date each year.

Please ensure you have all the required documentation in order to licence your pet. If you have all the records you need to proceed you can license your pet online, or in person at the City of Southport located at 1029 N. Howe St.
If this is your first time licensing a pet in the City of Southport, click here to learn more.
If you already have an account with us or have ever licensed a pet with the City of Southport click here to learn more.

You may renew your pet's license within 45 days of your pet's current license expiration date. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new license will start the day after expiration, not on the date of purchase.

As you are required to provide documentation to demonstrate proof that your pet has been spayed/neutered, our customer care team members are not able to review this documentation and therefore cannot process new licenses for spayed/neutered pets over the phone. You must license online where you can upload the required documentation, or present it in person at a the City of Southport located at 1029 N. Howe St. Once we have documentation on file, we do not require it again, and thus, renewals can be processed over the phone.

Refunds may be granted for a license if a pet passes 30 days of the license purchase.

PROGRAM AND PARTNERSHIP

You may have entered your address incorrectly or we may not have your address in the address database for your community. Please double-check all spelling and ensure you are using the abbreviated form for your street type ex. St instead of Street. You may contact the City of Southport directly if you believe you reside within their jurisdiction but your address is not being accepted by the system.

FEES AND FINES

The fine for failing to license a pet is $50.00.

No, there is no discount for licensing multiple pets. Each pet will be charged the appropriate licensing fee.

Please visit the City of Southport in person if you are qualifying for this rate for the first time. Once the team there verifies your designation you will be able to renew online in future years.

Visit this page for licensing options and fees: Southport Fees

There are no senior rates to license your pet.

The City of Southport does not offer any special rates for veterans. Please call (910) 457-7900 directly to discuss.

For all online orders a processing fee is applied on license purchases at a rate of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.

ACCOUNT UPDATES

If you are moving, please be sure to update your address by logging into your online account and navigating to your Profile Settings page. Even though you are moving, you’ll still be able to keep your pet's tag and access your pet's online account. However, your current license may not be valid in the new community you are moving to. Please get in touch with the pet licensing provider in the new community you are moving to in order to find out more information.

CITY INFORMATION AND CITY ORDINANCES

The following species are required to be licensed: Dogs and Cats

Visit this page for information on licensing ordinances/bylaws: Southport Code

Please get in touch with the City of Southport at (910) 457-7900.

DOCUMENT SUBMISSION

If you can’t locate the document you received after the procedure was done, you will need to contact your vet to obtain your pet's records. Be sure to specify any and all pets you require documentation for.
Once you’ve got the paperwork in your hands, take a look to ensure:

  • The document provided is the right type of proof required.
  • Pet and pet owner account data matches your own.
  • The document is clear and legible.

To license your pet, you will be required to show proof that the pet's rabies vaccination is current. Documentation is also required to verify that a pet has been spayed or neutered and must be provided in order to receive the discounted rate. Requiring documentation ensures that provided pet information is accurate, which is critical for identification and safety reasons.

A rabies proof is required to prove that your pet has been vaccinated against rabies. A rabies proof identifying your pet as spayed/neutered or a spay/neuter proof may be accepted as documentation of sterilization.

A valid rabies proof is required to purchase a pet license. You will be required to enter their pet’s rabies vaccination expiry date.

OTHER QUESTIONS

We're sorry for your loss. You can update a pet's profile via your online account or we can take care of it for you if you call 1-877-239-6072 or email info@docupet.com. Our customer service line is answered from 9:00AM to 8:00PM EST, Monday through Friday.