Dogs living in the City must have a license from the NYC Health Department. Licenses are valid for 1 to 5 years and must be renewed before they expire.
In addition to being licensed, guard dogs must be registered. You must report losses, thefts, and transfers of ownership of a guard dog within five days. Guard dogs must wear both a dog license tag and a guard dog tag issued by the City on their collar at all times.
Payment for mailed-in applications is by check or money order only. Payment for online applications is by debit or credit card only. You should receive your license approximately four weeks after payment is received by the Health Department.
FAQs
Does my dog have to wear the license tag outdoors?
Yes. Dogs must wear the metal tag on their collars whenever they go outside.
Where are my dog license card and dog tag sticker?
The NYC Health Department no longer issues a printed card or a sticker. The metal tag for your dog’s collar is now the license.
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