New York City Dog License : Veterinary Public Health Services : NYC DOHMH

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene


	Veterinary Public Health Services Dog Licensing It's the Law New York State law requires that all owned dogs be licensed and the New York City Health Code requires every dog owner to have a dog license tag attached to their dog’s collar while in public. Dog owners may be fined for violation of these laws. To obtain an application, call 311 or Click here to download it from this web site. You may also obtain one from a veterinarian, animal shelter or pet shop. About Dog Licensing • Benefits of Licensing • How to Obtain an Application • Time To Receive License & Status • Fees & Application Process • Renewal Fees & Process • Change of Address In-Between Renewals • Service Dog or Guard Dog Licenses • How to Replace a Lost License Tag • Replace a Certificate or Expiration Decal by Mail back to top Benefits of Licensing Licensing contributes to animal control and the protection of the public health: • Information about licensed dogs assists in the medical follow-up of individuals potentially exposed to infected dogs, especially important during rabies outbreaks. • Licensing helps reunite lost dogs with their owners. • Licensing is key to family emergency preparedness planning to ensure a dog and owner is reunited in case of separation during a citywide emergency. • Licensing helps enforce the New York State spay/neuter law, which mandates a surcharge on the license fee for unaltered dogs. Spaying or neutering is in the best interest of your pet because it helps reduce the stray animal population and may help reduce unwanted behaviors as well. back to top How to Obtain an Application Call 311 or download one from this web site. You may also obtain one from a veterinarian, animal shelter or pet shop. back to top Time To Receive License & Status The license should be received approximately 2 to 4 weeks after the owner's check is cashed. Status of applications will only be available 3 weeks after mailing the payment. The Dog Licensing Unit can be contacted by calling 311. back to top Fees & Application Process The fee to license your dog in New York City is $8.50 if your dog is spayed/neutered or $11.50 if you do not provide proof that your dog is spayed or neutered. A check or money order should be made payable to NYC DOHMH. In order to prove that your dog is spayed/neutered, you must submit a copy of the certificate of spay/neuter from your veterinarian with the application or complete and notarize the affidavit on the application. back to top Renewal Fees & Process You only need to submit an application once. After your dog is licensed a renewal notice will be mailed to you annually. If a renewal form was not received, it can be requested by calling 311. The fee to renew a dog license is $8.50 for a spayed or neutered dog and $11.50 for a dog that is not spayed or neutered. A check or money order should be made payable to NYC DOHMH. The envelope must be postmarked no later than the license's expiration date. If the license expiration date has passed, the owner should add an additional $2 late fee to the license cost. Mail the renewal form and payment to: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Veterinary Public Health Services P.O. Box 4768, Church Street Station New York, NY 10261-4768 back to top Change of Address In-Between Renewals Change of address information must be provided in-between renewals. Owners should send a letter with their name, dog license number, and current and changed address information to: Veterinary Public Health Services, Dog Licensing Unit NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene 125 Worth Street, CN 61 New York, NY 10013 back to top Service Dog or Guard Dog Licenses Guard dogs require a standard dog license, as well as a specific guard dog license that costs $10.00 in addition to the standard license fee. back to top How to Replace a Lost License Tag A dog license tag may be replaced by sending a copy of the license certificate with a check or money order for $1.00 payable to NYC DOHMH. The mailing address is: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Veterinary Public Health Services P.O. Box 4768, Church Street Station New York, NY 10261-4768 back to top Replace a Certificate or Expiration Decal by Mail Dog license certificates and expiration date decals will be replaced at no charge. Requests can be made through the Dog License Unit by calling 311 or in writing. The mailing address is: Veterinary Public Health Services, Dog Licensing Unit NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene 125 Worth Street, CN-61 New York, NY 10013 back to top