Rabies Tag Sales
PLEASE NOTE: This page contains information for veterinarians and animal hospitals only.
If you are a member of the public looking for rabies vaccinations and tags for your animals, please visit the Rabies Vaccination Tags page. Cook County residents looking to purchase or replace tags should use the Rabies Tag Order Form, also located on the Rabies Vaccination Tags page.
Rabies Tags
Cook County Animal and Rabies Control issues annual rabies tags for animal hospitals and clinics to provide with vaccinations of any dog, cat or ferret four months or more of age in the County per ordinance:
Cook County Ordinance Chapter 10, Article 2, Section 10-41 (b) - "Evidence of such rabies inoculation shall be entered on a certificate approved by the County Board of Commissioners. Veterinarians who inoculate an animal shall procure from the County Department of Animal and Rabies Control serially numbered tags, one to be issued with each inoculation certificate. Only one animal shall be included on each certificate. Upon change of ownership application shall be made for a new inoculation certificate. Such tags shall be attached to the collar or harness worn by the animal for which the tag was issued when the animal is off the property of the owner.
Click here for information about the submission of the Rabies Certifications.
2024 Rabies Tag Sales
Key Dates
- December 1, 2023 - purchase of 2024 rabies tags begins
- January 1, 2024 - begin use of 2024 rabies tags
- January 2-31, 2024 - return unused 2023 rabies tags
- February 1, 2024 - new or updated veterinary licenses must be received to allow for continued purchase of rabies tags in 2024
Cost
The cost of 2024 rabies tags is as follows:
- 1-year: $6.00
- 3-year: $18.00
Purchasing Tags
To order 2024 rabies tags:
- Download, complete and print the Rabies Tag Order Form (excel doc). Include this paperwork with your payment.
- Mail payment and order form to:
ATTN: Rabies Tag Order
Cook County Animal and Rabies Control
10220 South 76th Avenue
Bridgeview, IL 60455
Reminders regarding orders:
- Account Number - Your account number MUST be on the form. If you do not know your account number, call our office at (708) 974-6140 and we will happily provide it.
- Veterinary License Requirements for Purchasing Rabies Tags - In order to purchase Cook County rabies tags, we will need you to send a copy of your valid veterinary license by mail or fax to (708) 974-6046 before February 1, 2024. If we do not receive this, you will be unable to purchase rabies tags.
- NSF Fees - All payments returned for any reason, will be assessed a $35.00 fee per returned item.
Rabies Tag Credits
Unused 2023 rabies tags can be returned for credit. Please follow these guidelines for faster processing:
- Complete and print the 2023 Rabies Tag Credit Form (excel doc). Include this paperwork with your return.
- A maximum of 100 tags can be returned for credit and can be a combination of 1-year and 3-year rabies tags.
- 2023 rabies tags returned by January 31, 2024, will be exchanged for 2024 rabies tags.
- Do not mail tag returns and new tag order requests together. These items need to be mailed separately.
- Refunds for returned tags are only available to hospitals or clinics that have closed or changed ownership. Please provide our office with written notice.
Packaging Instructions
- Return tags in a padded envelope or box with proper packing materials. Tag credits will not be issued if the package arrives open or damaged. A regular envelope is not sufficient.
- Tags must be in numerical order. We recommend using paperclips or rings to keep them organized.
- Please do not tape tags to the credit form or any other paper.
- Do not mail tag returns and new tag order requests together. These items need to be mailed separately.
- Mail to:
Cook County Animal and Rabies Control
10220 South 76th Avenue
Bridgeview, IL 60455
Accounts
New Account - If you are a new hospital or clinic, you will need to create an account by submitting a new account application form, copy of the veterinarian's license and current W-9. Click the links below to download and complete.
Account Changes - Please call our office at (708) 974-6140 for all hospital changes,updating contact information and any other information to keep our files current.
Ownership Transfer - If the hospital/clinic was recently purchased, you will need to create an account by submitting a new account application form, copy of the veterinarian's license and current W-9 must be submitted to our office. The previous owner's rabies tags can not be used.