PLEASE READ: IMPORTANT CHANGES IN RABIES VACCINATION REQUIREMENTSRabies expiration date no longer dictates the expiration of the dog license. The rabies must be valid for 30 days at the time of
license issue/renewal or you are, by law, unable to validate the license.
WHAT DOGS MUST BE LICENSED?Every dog owned or harbored in New York State for longer than 30 days must be licensed. The following are the only license exemptions:
- Dogs under four months of age not running at large
- Dogs harbored in New York City (these dogs must be licensed by the NYC Department of Health)
- 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 the Commissioner
Apply for a dog license at the Town Clerk's Office, Town of North Hempstead, 200 Plandome Road, Manhasset NY 11030.
In addition to the application, the owner will need:
- A certificate from a licensed veterinarian 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.
- License fee made payable to the North Hempstead Town Clerk
After the application and appropriate certificates are filed and the license fee has been paid, the license will be validated for one year. 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.
Satisfactory proof is required for guide dogs, war dogs, hearing dogs, police works dogs or service dogs, such as a training certificate, etc., for licenses.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A PUREBRED LICENSE, CONTACT THE TOWN CLERK, TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD, AT (516) 869-7655.
The statutory license fees are: - For SPAYED or NEUTERED dogs: (certificate required)
NYS Fee $2.50 + Local Fee $4.50 = $7.00 - For UNSPAYED or UNNEUTERED dogs over 8 months of age: NYS Fee $10.50 + Local Fee $4.50 = $15.00 ($3.00 of this fee is used to fund the Animal Population Control Program)
- For UNSPAYED or UNNEUTERED dogs under 6 months of age: NYS Fee $7.50 + Local Fee $4.50 = $12.00
- For GUIDE, WAR, HEARING, POLICE WORK, or SERVICE dogs: NO FEE
- In addition to the state fees, any licensing municipality may impose a fee up to $10.00 The Town of North Hempstead imposes a $4.50 local fee. However this fee is waved for dog owner's age 60 and over if proof of owner's age is submitted with the dog license application.
License renewal forms will be mailed directly to the dog owner by the Department of Agriculture and Markets. If you do not receive your dog license renewal form from New York State and you believe your dog's license has expired, please call North Hempstead Town Clerk's office at 869-7655.
HOW TO CHANGE A LICENSE
To insure the accuracy of license records, it is essential that any change to the information on the license be provided to the local licensing agent who in turn will notify this Department so that records can be updated.
The owner must provide in writing any of the following changes: - Dog ownership
- Dog owner's address
- Loss or theft of the dog (if the dog is found, it's return)
- Death of a dog
Any local fees collected are kept by the licensing municipality for dog control services and enforcement of Article 7 of the Agriculture and Markets law. The state fee is apportioned as follows: - 83.08% is retained by the licensing municipality for dog control and enforcement of Article 7 of the Agriculture and Markets law.
- 16.92% is forwarded to the N.Y.S. Department of Agriculture and Markets to provide all dog license forms identification tags, send renewal applications and maintain the centralized database of dog licenses.
If a dog is lost but identified with a N.Y.S. identification tag, the DCO will contact the N.Y.S. Department of Agriculture and Markets to trace the dog tag to the owner.
FINES The local dog control officer must institute action for violations of both state and local laws. Fines or civil penalties shall be up to $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense and $100 for the third and subsequent offenses.
VICIOUS DOGS Under Town of North Hempstead Law, Chapter 14; A vicious dog is "any dog owned, harbored or trained primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting; any dog owned, harbored or trained primarily or in part for the purpose of attacking a human being or domestic animal upon command; or any dog known by the owner to be or identifiable as, in whole or in part, of a breed commonly known as Pit Bull, which shall include dogs wholly or partly of the breeds known as American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier." Click here for a
New York State
Dog License Application
Dog owners must submit the completed application along with payment, proof of rabies vaccination
and a certificate of spay/neuter, if applicable, to
 Town Clerk
TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD
PO BOX 3000, 200 Plandome Rd.
Manhasset, NY 11030
|