Dog Licensing Program
What Dogs Must Be Licensed?
Every dog, regardless of age, owned or harbored in New York State for longer than 30 days must be licensed in the town, city or village where the dog is being harbored. The following are the only license exemptions:
- If the dog is under four months of age and not running-at-large (off the owner’s premises).
- Dogs harbored in New York City (these dogs must be licensed by the NYC Clerk).
- If a non-resident brings a dog into New York State for less than 30 days and the dog is licensed according to the resident state’s licensing laws.
- Dogs confined to the premises of any public or private hospital, research institution or a Class A Dealer with a certificate of exemption from Ag and Markets.
How to License Your Dog
Apply for a dog license at your local Town Clerk’s office and follow the accompanying instructions. This would be the Clerk of the town, city or, in some counties, village.
For guide dogs, war dogs, hearing dogs, police work dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs or detection dogs as of January 1, 2003, satisfactory proof is required, such as a training certificate, etc. for licenses. In addition to the application the owner will need: if the dog is spayed or neutered - a certificate from a licensed veterinarian or an affidavit from the owner showing that the dog has been spayed or neutered, unless this proof is already on file with the clerk;
ALL dogs three months or older must have proof of a rabies vaccination signed by a licensed veterinarian or a certificate stating why the life of the dog would be endangered by the vaccine; and a check payable to the Town Clerk for the appropriate license fee.
After the application and appropriate certificates are filed and the license fee has been paid, the License will be validated for one year by the Town Clerk. Each dog is assigned a permanent official identification (ID) number and issued a metal ID tag which is to be attached to the dog’s collar.
NO REFUND WILL BE MADE AFTER A LICENSE HAS BEEN VALIDATED.
If you are interested in a purebred license, contact your Town Clerk (845) 485 – 3620.
License Fees
The statutory license fees are:
License Type |
State Statutory Fee |
Local |
Spayed/Neutered Dog |
$1.00 |
$7.00 |
Unspayed/Unneutered Dog |
$3.00 |
$15.00 |
Guide Dog |
No Fee |
|
War Dog |
No Fee |
|
Hearing Dog |
No Fee |
|
Police Work Dog |
No Fee |
|
Service Dog |
No Fee |
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License renewal forms will be mailed directly to the dog owner by the Town Clerk by the first day of the month that your license is due to expire.
How to Change a License
To ensure the accuracy of license records, it is essential that any change to the information on the license be provided to the Town Clerk. The owner must provide in writing any of the following changes:
- dog ownership
- dog owner’s address
- loss or theft of the dog (and if the dog is found, its return) and
- death of a dog
Distribution of Dog License Monies
Any local fees collected are kept by the licensing municipality for dog control services and enforcement in addition to their portion of the statutory fee. The statutory fee is apportioned as follows:
- $1.00 for spayed/neutered dogs
- $3.00 for unspayed/unneutered dogs
The statutory fee is sent to the Department of Agriculture and Markets for dog control. All other fees, such as impoundment fees and fines and/or penalties for violations are retained by the collecting Town Clerk.
Local Dog Control Services
Every licensing town, city or village must have a Dog Control Officer (DCO) and municipal shelter services. The DCO and shelter service enforces both State and any local dog laws and ordinances. Further, it is the DCO’s responsibility to pick up lost and stray dogs and humanely care for them until they can be reunited with their owners.
If your dog is lost or you find a lost dog, immediately contact your local Town Clerk (845) 485 – 3620 on week days 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Police Station (845) 485 – 3666 any time or the Arlington Animal Hospital (845) 473 - 0301.
Owners should seek lost, unidentified dogs at the Arlington Animal Hospital.
If a dog is lost but identified with a Town of Poughkeepsie identification tag, the Town Clerk will trace the dog tag to the owner.
The local dog control officer must institute action for violations of both state and local laws.
Fines or civil penalties shall be up to $75 for the first offense, $100 for the second and $125 for the third and subsequent offenses.
If dogs injure or kill livestock, the local assessor should be notified immediately. DO NOT destroy or bury the animals. They must be available for examination so the assessor can appraise the damage.
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