Maryland's rabies vaccination requirement
Maryland law requires rabies vaccination for dogs and cats. Under Maryland Health-General Article §18-318 through §18-320 (accessed August 30, 2026), the state mandates rabies vaccination and authorizes counties to establish and enforce pet licensing programs. Maryland's Health Department monitors wildlife rabies closely — the state has one of the highest wildlife rabies rates in the eastern U.S., driven by raccoon rabies endemic to the mid-Atlantic corridor.
This wildlife context makes rabies vaccination especially important for Maryland pets: outdoor cats and dogs with yard access regularly encounter raccoons, skunks, and foxes. A lapsed rabies certificate leaves your pet unprotected and, in the event of a bite incident, subject to quarantine.
Which Maryland counties require pet licenses?
| County | License Required? | Altered Fee | Unaltered Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | ✓ Yes — Montgomery County Animal Services | ~$12/year | ~$25/year |
| Prince George's County | ✓ Yes — Prince George's County Animal Control | ~$10/year | ~$25/year |
| Baltimore County | ✓ Yes — Baltimore County Animal Services | ~$15/year | ~$30/year |
| Howard County | ✓ Yes — Howard County Animal Control | ~$12/year | ~$25/year |
| Anne Arundel County | ✓ Yes — Anne Arundel County Animal Control | ~$10/year | ~$25/year |
| Frederick County | ✓ Yes — Frederick County Animal Control | Check locally | Check locally |
Montgomery County: how to license your pet
Montgomery County Animal Services (accessed August 30, 2026) is one of Maryland's largest and most active animal services departments. Online licensing is available through the county portal. Here's the process:
- Ensure rabies vaccination is current — required statewide under Maryland HG §18-318.
- Gather spay/neuter documentation — reduces the annual fee significantly.
- Register online or in person at 7315 Muncaster Mill Rd, Derwood. Online registration accepts document uploads.
- Pay the annual fee and receive your license tag.
- Renew annually — licenses expire on your pet's rabies certification anniversary.
What you need for any Maryland county license
- Current rabies vaccination certificate — required under Maryland HG §18-318 through §18-320
- Spay/neuter certificate or vet letter — to qualify for the reduced fee
- Government-issued photo ID with your current Maryland county address
- Microchip number — many Maryland counties track microchips as part of registration
Maryland's unique wildlife rabies context
Maryland is in the raccoon rabies epizootic zone that extends from Florida through the mid-Atlantic. The Maryland Department of Agriculture (accessed August 30, 2026) tracks and responds to animal rabies cases statewide. Maryland typically reports 50–100+ wildlife rabies cases annually, predominantly raccoons, with skunks and foxes as secondary vectors. This means even urban and suburban Maryland pets — particularly those with yard access — face meaningful rabies exposure risk. Staying current on your pet's rabies vaccination is genuinely important here, not just a paperwork requirement.
Your document checklist
Last verified: August 30, 2026. Licensing fees and requirements vary by county — check with your specific county animal services for current amounts and application procedures.