What state law in California says about pets — in plain English, with a link to each source.
Last verified November 3, 2026
🚗 Hot cars
Law in place — bystanders may rescue
California protects a bystander who breaks into a vehicle to rescue an animal in imminent danger, as long as they follow the law's steps — typically making sure the car is locked, calling 911 or the police first, using no more force than necessary and staying with the animal until help arrives. Leaving an animal in a dangerous vehicle is also an offence.
Animals covered: An animal
Penalty: First conviction: fine not exceeding $100 per animal. If the animal suffers great bodily injury, a fine not exceeding $500, imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding 6 months, or by both. Any subsequent violation of this section, regardless of injury to the animal, punishable by a fine not exceeding $500, imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, or by both.
California requires dogs over 4 months to be vaccinated against rabies; cats are left to cities and counties.
What the law says: Every dog owner, after his or her dog attains the age of 4 months, shall no less than once every two years secure a license for the dog as provided by ordinance of the responsible city, city and county, or county. West's Ann. Cal. Health & Safety Code § 121690
Medical exemptions: A licensed veterinarian determines, on an annual basis, that a rabies vaccination would endanger the dog's life due to disease or other considerations that the veterinarian can verify and document. A request for an exemption developed by the department and shall include a signed statement by the veterinarian explaining the inadvisability of the vaccination and a signed statement by the dog owner…
Partly. Local dangerous-dog programs may not be breed-specific, though cities may use breed-specific spay/neuter and breeding rules. Other breed-based rules are not expressly prohibited, so check your city’s ordinances.
California has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for a bite even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.
What it covers: Bite only
Where: In a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog
Defences: Police/military dogs if the bite occurred while the dog was defending itself from an annoying, harassing, or provoking act, or assisting an employee of the agency in any of the following: in the apprehension or holding of a suspect where the employee has a reasonable suspicion of the suspect's involvement in criminal activity. in the investigation of a crime or possible crime in the execution of…
Yes. California lets a court include pets in a domestic-violence protective order (since 2007) — for example by giving the petitioner care of the animal and ordering the abuser not to harm or take it.
Effective 2014, the law was amended so that, on a showing of good cause, the court may include in a protective order a grant to the petitioner of the exclusive care, possession, or control of any animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by either the petitioner or the respondent or a minor child residing in the residence or household of either the petitioner or the respondent.
Not for pets travelling with their owner — California requires only proof of a current rabies vaccination. Airlines may still ask for a health certificate.
As summarised by the AKC (March 2023) — confirm with the state veterinarian before you travel:
CVI not required for privately owned dogs entering CA.
Dogs over 4 months of age must have a certificate of current rabies vaccination, but no CVI.
Persons bringing dogs into California with intent to sell or transfer ownership must have a health certificate completed by a licensed veterinarian within the 10 days prior to the date of importation.
California has no statewide leash law. State law bars letting a female dog in heat run at large, and dogs off their premises must wear an ID or licence tag; leash rules are set by cities and counties.
California caps security, however it is labelled, at one month's rent on top of the first month — two months for certain small landlords. A separate pet deposit cannot push the total past the cap.
