Marin General Services Authority — animal care referral
Animal services function; provider and jurisdiction must be verified.[1]
Source checked October 26, 2026[1]maringeneralservicesauthority.com
Opens this office’s own website. CountyWiki does not process applications, take payments or provide personal records.
Contact details & office locations ↓Online services & information
Use the links below for official services and provider information. Check each service’s instructions and service area.
MGSA manages the Marin Humane contract with the County and cities/towns. Marin Humane is the actual care/control provider.
Service area: Marin Humane (MH) operates a county-wide animal care and control services program through a contract and partnership with the County and the cities and towns of Marin. The MGSA manages the MH contract in partnership with the County. Animal Services was added as a program for MGSA in 2015 and has included facilitating contract negotiations with MH, annual budget development, and resolution of various animal related issues with stakeholders. [2]
Before you start
- Availability · MGSA contract and actual Marin Humane provider
- Marin Humane (MH) operates a county-wide animal care and control services program through a contract and partnership with the County and the cities and towns of Marin. The MGSA manages the MH contract in partnership with the County. Animal Services was added as a program for MGSA in 2015 and has included facilitating contract negotiations with MH, annual budget development, and resolution of various animal related issues with stakeholders. [2]
MGSA names Marin Humane as the county/cities contract provider. Marin Humane publishes DocuPet, mail and shelter-counter licensing instructions. It is a nonprofit provider, not a county-owned department; bring the required rabies and applicable altered-status documents.
Before you start
- Information & documents · Marin Humane actual county/cities contract-provider licensing; keep MGSA’s governance role separate
- Marin Humane handles Marin licensing through DocuPet, mail or its shelter counter. Bring rabies proof and applicable spay/neuter documentation. [3]
- Availability · Existing immutable MGSA evidence naming the contracted operator; no legal government identity created for the nonprofit
- Marin Humane (MH) operates a county-wide animal care and control services program through a contract and partnership with the County and the cities and towns of Marin. The MGSA manages the MH contract in partnership with the County. Animal Services was added as a program for MGSA in 2015 and has included facilitating contract negotiations with MH, annual budget development, and resolution of various animal related issues with stakeholders. [4]
MGSA’s existing county/cities evidence identifies Marin Humane as the actual provider. Marin Humane publishes open-admission policy for animals from Marin, with an appointment before surrender and no guaranteed adoption outcome. Residents outside Marin are directed to their local shelter; the nonprofit is not relabelled a county-owned department.
Before you start
- Availability · Existing immutable MGSA evidence establishes the actual county/cities contract provider; the nonprofit remains distinct from the public authority
- MGSA manages the Marin Humane animal care/control contract with the county and cities/towns. Marin Humane publishes the admission conditions. [8]
- Eligibility & access · Actual Marin Humane admissions policy: Marin animals/residents, appointment, ownership relinquishment and individual outcome assessment
- Call for a surrender appointment. The provider accepts animals from Marin under its policy; people outside Marin should contact their local shelter. Adoption is not guaranteed. [7]
- Information & documents · Marin Humane surrender questionnaire, signed form, fee and medical records; litter/animal-specific prices kept separate
- Complete the animal questionnaire and surrender form, pay the applicable surrender fee, and bring any medical records. Litter and species prices differ. [9]
Fees
Fees are quoted only when a source document supports the amount and conditions.
| Service | Amount | Conditions & source |
|---|---|---|
| Marin annual altered-dog license | $20.00one-year dog license | Standard one-year altered dog fee; current rabies proof required. Senior/disabled prices, longer terms and late penalties are separate.[6] |
| Marin annual unaltered-dog license | $60.00one-year dog license | Standard one-year unaltered dog fee; current rabies proof required. Senior/disabled prices, longer terms and late penalties are separate.[6] |
| Marin Humane sterilized dog/cat surrender | $50.00individual dog/cat surrendered | Marin admission policy, by appointment. Litter, bird, small-animal and other species fees are separate; surrender relinquishes ownership and does not guarantee adoption.[9] |
| Marin Humane unsterilized dog/cat surrender | $75.00individual dog/cat surrendered | Marin admission policy, by appointment. Litter, bird, small-animal and other species fees are separate; surrender relinquishes ownership and does not guarantee adoption.[9] |
These are individual fee items, not a quote for your total. Other charges or exemptions may apply; confirm the total with the office.
Forms & documents
Official forms and document pages for this office’s services.
Sources & last checked3 source pages · 10 citations
Sources were checked by an AI-assisted research process. A checked website does not mean every service or fee on it has been reviewed.
- [1] Marin — official animal services information (opens in a new tab)
Marin General Services Authority · Official animal services page or explicitly named animal contact
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Animal Care and Control Services
- [2] Marin — official animal services information (opens in a new tab)
Marin General Services Authority · Reviewed local animal service conditions — MGSA contract and actual Marin Humane provider
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Marin Humane (MH) operates a county-wide animal care and control services program through a contract and partnership with the County and the cities and towns of Marin. The MGSA manages the MH contract in partnership with the County. Animal Services was added as a program for MGSA in 2015 and has included facilitating contract negotiations with MH, annual budget development, and resolution of various animal related issues with stakeholders.
- [3] Dog licensing (opens in a new tab)
Marin Humane — MGSA county/cities contract provider · Dog licensing — license marin
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Marin Humane is the dog licensing agency for Marin County, and we’ve partnered with DocuPet to bring you a better licensing experience! When you register your dog in Marin County, you will receive a unique license tag to attach to their collar. You’ll have the option to select a standard license tag at no additional charge, or upgrade to a colorful designer tag for an additional fee. We can also help you: By mail: Send a completed license application to: Marin Humane, Attn: Licensing, 171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato, CA 94949 In person: Come to the shelter during business hours. Be sure to bring your dog’s rabies certificate, and if applicable the spay/neuter documentation. If you have questions about licensing or need help with your transaction, please contact licensing support at 1-877-239-6072 or email info@docupet.com In addition to Marin Humane’s role as non-profit animal shelter, we’re responsible for the enforcement of county and municipal animal services ordinances (including licensing) through a Joint Powers Agreement contract with the County of Marin. A dog license is required by law for all dogs over the age of four months who live in Marin County.
- [4] Marin — official animal services information (opens in a new tab)
Marin General Services Authority · Marin — official animal services information — marin contract
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Marin Humane (MH) operates a county-wide animal care and control services program through a contract and partnership with the County and the cities and towns of Marin. The MGSA manages the MH contract in partnership with the County. Animal Services was added as a program for MGSA in 2015 and has included facilitating contract negotiations with MH, annual budget development, and resolution of various animal related issues with stakeholders.
- [5] Dog licensing (opens in a new tab)
Marin Humane — MGSA county/cities contract provider · Dog licensing — marin support
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
If you have questions about licensing or need help with your transaction, please contact licensing support at 1-877-239-6072 or email info@docupet.com
- [6] Dog licensing (opens in a new tab)
Marin Humane — MGSA county/cities contract provider · Dog licensing — marin fees
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Licensing Fees A $55 late fee ($60 for unaltered dogs) is imposed by the county for late renewal of your dog’s license. In order to purchase a license, you must have a current rabies vaccination certificate for your dog. Fees Altered Dog Unaltered Dog 1 year – $20 1 year – $60 2 year – $30 2 year – $70 3 year – $40 3 year – $90
- [7] Marin Humane admissions and surrender conditions (opens in a new tab)
Marin Humane — MGSA county/cities contract provider · Marin Humane admissions and surrender conditions — marin admissions
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Marin Humane Admissions We realize that sometimes rehoming your animal yourself is not an option. If you need to surrender your pet, please call us at 415.883.4621 to schedule an appointment. Policy and procedures Marin Humane is an open admission animal shelter for the county of Marin, meaning we accept all animals from Marin regardless of their behavior, health, or age. If you live outside of Marin County, please contact your local animal shelter. Although we cannot guarantee a new home for your companion animal, we consider each case individually. In cases of severe behavioral or medical issues, humane euthanasia may be the most appropriate option however we never euthanize based on the length of time an animal has been awaiting adoption or to make space. If you decide to surrender your companion animal, please understand you are surrendering all rights and responsibility of this animal to Marin Humane.
- [8] Marin — official animal services information (opens in a new tab)
Marin General Services Authority · Marin — official animal services information — marin government provider
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
Marin Humane (MH) operates a county-wide animal care and control services program through a contract and partnership with the County and the cities and towns of Marin. The MGSA manages the MH contract in partnership with the County. Animal Services was added as a program for MGSA in 2015 and has included facilitating contract negotiations with MH, annual budget development, and resolution of various animal related issues with stakeholders.
- [9] Marin Humane admissions and surrender conditions (opens in a new tab)
Marin Humane — MGSA county/cities contract provider · Marin Humane admissions and surrender conditions — marin surrender documents
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
The surrender process involves: Completing our questionnaire about the animal. The more information you can provide, the better our chances of finding a new home for him or her. You can also download and complete our questionnaire ahead of time: Cat | Dog | Bird | Small Companion Animal Signing the surrender form Paying the surrender fee. For dogs/cats: – sterilized: $50 each – not sterilized: $75 each Litters of 2-3: $50 per animal Litters of 4+: $25 per animal Birds and small mammals: $10 each Amphibians/reptiles: $25 Large farm animals: to be determined Please bring any medical records you have for your animal.
- [10] Marin Humane admissions and surrender conditions (opens in a new tab)
Marin Humane — MGSA county/cities contract provider · Marin Humane admissions and surrender conditions — marin admissions phone
Source reviewed October 26, 2026View supporting excerpt
If you need to surrender your pet, please call us at 415.883.4621 to schedule an appointment.