I'm in the sticks but here's my angle. I forgot one year to renew and they came by the farm to see if I still had dogs, since they run loose on the farm, and they left a nice fine. If I was in a populated area with a dog that would draw attention, id'd get the tag. If not I would not. Or a quite lap dog i would not. Your answer can always be I just got him. Vets don't ask if he's licensed and its none of their business. And technically on your own propert the dog does not need to be wearing a license, you'd just have to prove you had it if someone showed up.