How to Register Your Dog in New York, NY

There are a few reasons to register your dog. First and foremost, licensing your pup with the city is the law. Per New York State law, all dog owners must license their dogs. And New York City Health Code requires that pups must have their license attached to their collar or harness when out in public. Since you don’t want to have a run in with the pawlice, make sure your pooch is always up to date with their registration. If your beloved pup is ever lost in the big city, their license will help facilitate a speedy reunion with you. Similarly if you are ever separated from your pooch during an emergency, their license will help rescue workers locate you. Also, dog registration fees help fund local animal shelters and low cost spaying and neutering programs. But the most impawtant reason to register your pal is that it allows them to use New York City’s off leash runs!

New York City makes it very easy for pet owners to obtain a new license or renew an existing license. You can complete the application process online by going to the Dog Licensing section of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website. Have your pup’s rabies vaccination certificate and their spay or neuter information handy. You can also mail in the application form. If you opt for this method, download the application from the website or call 311 to request a paper copy be mailed to your home. Once the application is filled out, attach a money order or check made payable to NYC DOHMH. Please note that cash should not be sent. Regardless of how you submit the application, your four legged buddy will receive their new tag two to four weeks after your payment has been processed. Plan accordingly so the new tag arrives before the old one expires.

The fee for licensing your pooch in the Big Apple is pretty straightforward. Spayed or neutered dogs cost $8.50 to register while unaltered dogs cost $34.00. In order to receive the discount, pet parents need to provide spay or neuter infurmation during the application process. Pupsters under four months old that are not spayed or neutered also cost $8.50 to register. To make your life a bit easier, you can choose to register your pooch for one to five years when applying. Just tack on $8.50 for each additional year. If your pup’s license expires before you purchase a new one, a late few of $2.00 will be applied. If you need to replace a lost tag, it’s only $1.00. All of these fees are pretty reasonable, especially considering the fact that an unlicensed pooch can earn you a fine of up to $200.00. For more infurmation about the process, contact the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.