How to apply for the California Assistance Dog tag for free

Assistance Dogs are trained to do a variety of tasks that are of benefit to their disabled partners

If you live in California, are disabled and use the services of an assistance dog or Service dog you can receive your dog license in the form of the California Assistance Dog tag at no cost.

According to federal guidelines your assistance dog or service dog is classified as "durable medical equipment" this means that your local animal control agency (no matter what state you are in) can not charge you a fee to license your assistance dog!

If you are not required to register and pay a fee for your wheelchair, walker or cane you can not be required to register or pay a fee for your assistance dog!

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• You may be required to prove you are disabled in order to qualify for a free license from animal control for your assistance dog.

1. Step 1

Go to your local animal control office with your service dog's Rabies certificate and ask to fill out their application for an assistance dog tag.

Some animal control agencies are not as well informed of the laws pertaining to assistance dogs as other agencies are, so do not be surprised if they seem totally clueless here.

The animal regulation code that orders them to comply with this regulation is the California health and safety code 30852. Assistance dog tag; use by person with disability or trainer; shape, size and color

(a) The tag identifying a dog as an assistance dog shall be used only by a person with a disability or a trainer of an assistance dog and shall be of such uniform statewide shape, size, and color as to be easily recognized.

(b) The Department of Food and Agriculture, in consultation with the State Department of Health Services, shall specify the shape, size, and color of the tags. This subdivision shall not be subject to the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

1. Step 2

Fill out the affidavit that states that you are disabled and that your dog is your assistance dog.

California Penal Code section 365.7 states that any person who knowingly and fraudulently represents themselves to be the owner or trainer of any canine licensed as an assistance dog, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

1. Step 3

Your local animal control agency can ask for proof of disability, if you have disabled license plates for your car or a disabled parking placard you can show this or give them a photocopy to meet this requirement.

You should never disclose your particular medical condition. If you receive SSDI you can show proof of disability by showing them your award letter.

You may also show proof by having a prescription by your doctor for your assistance dog.

1. Step 4

They are also permitted to ask you what tasks your Service Dog does for you.
You do not need to give any information that identifies you specific medical condition.

To meet this requirement you can tell them that your dog alerts you to a change in your medical condition, picks up dropped items, provides mobility support and balance assistance, carries objects for you, opens doors, etc.,

Tips & Warnings

• You are not required to identify your particular medical condition
• Your assistance dog does not need to be program trained or certified by anyone in order to qualify as an assistance dog
• Avoid programs or companies that say that they can certify your service dog this is not required by the ADA and can not be required in order to have access with your service dog.
• Getting the tag gives you the ability to call the police to enforce your Civil rights under Ca. Civil Code 365.5 which allows you to sue for denial of services and obtain monetary damages. (if a business refuses you goods and services based on your use of a Service Dog)
• It is illegal for anyone to pass off a pet as an assistance animal as stated in California Civil Code 365.7 and you will be signing the affidavit to this effect.