Town of Wappinger - Dutchess County, New York

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Town Clerk - Dog Licenses

Why are dogs licensed in New York State?

Aside from being a New York State Law that dogs are to be licensed, the following are some legitimate benefits to licensing:

Licensing provides each dog a unique identification number that is permanent for the life of the dog. This numbering system has been proven to be efficient and essential means of identifying a particular dog and the owner.
Licensing provides an avenue through which there is an initial and continuing protection against Rabies through the requirement of a current Rabies vaccination at the time of licensing and renewal. The copy of Rabies vaccination certificate, on file in a clerk’s office, may provide the only source of crucial information in a dog bite incident.

What dogs must be licensed?

Every dog owned or harbored in New York State for more than 30 days with the following exceptions:

Dogs less than 4 months of age not running at large (off the owner’s property).
A non-resident brings their currently licensed dog into New York for less than 30 Days.
Dogs confined to the premises of any public or private animal hospital or research institution.
Dogs harbored by a federally licensed “class A dealer” possessing a New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Exemption Certificate.

Licensing Procedure (ORIGINAL LICENSE)

1. All dogs aged four (4) months or older, located, owned or harbored in the Town of Wappinger, unless otherwise exempted, shall be licensed.

2. It is recommended that you obtain your dog’s first, or “Original” license at the Town Clerk’s Office. If you find it difficult to make it in to the Town Clerk’s Office, you may fill out the “Dog License Application”. You can find the application by clicking the following link. Please be sure to read the “Original Dog License Instruction” form as you fill out the application. You can find the instructions by clicking the following link.

3. You will need to provide proof that your dog has a current rabies vaccination. For your dog’s first vaccine, the expiration given will be one year after the shot is given. As long as you keep your dog’s vaccination current, by getting a booster before the vaccination expiration date, all subsequent expiration dates will be three years from the date that the shot is given. If your vet insists on assigning a two-year rabies expiration, it will be converted to a three year expiration at the time the license is issued. If your vet determines that it is unsafe to administer a rabies shot to your dog, you will need to provide a certificate from your vet stating so. Rabies exemption certificates are only good for one year.

4. The licensing fee is $5.00 for spayed/neutered dog and $13.00 for unsprayed/un-neutered. If your dog has been spayed or neutered, you will need to provide proof in the form of a spay/neuter certificate. This certificate will remain on file. You will not need to furnish a certificate for license renewals.

5. In addition to the licensing fee, dog owners must also pay a State mandated “Animal Population Control Surcharge”. The surcharge for a spayed/neutered dog is $1.00 and the surcharge for an unsprayed/un-neutered dog is $3.00.

6. The total cost for a license will be $6.00 for a spayed/neutered dog and $16.00 for an unsprayed/un-neutered dog.

7. Please make your check payable to “Town of Wappinger”.

Licensing Procedure (LICENSE RENEWAL)

1. Approximately one month before your dog’s license is to expire, you should receive a renewal notice from the Town Clerk’s Office.

2. If your dog’s rabies vaccination has expired since the last license was issued, you will need to provide the new rabies certificate.

3. The license renewal fee is $5.00 for spayed/neutered dog and $13.00 for unsprayed/un-neutered. If your dog has been spayed or neutered since your dog’s last license, you will need to provide proof in the form of a spay/neuter certificate. This certificate will remain on file. You will not need to furnish a certificate for license renewals.

4. In addition to the license renewal fee, dog owners must also pay a State mandated “Animal Population Control Surcharge”. The surcharge for a spayed/neutered dog is $1.00 and the surcharge for an unsprayed/un-neutered dog is $3.00.

5. The total cost for a license renewal will be $6.00 for a spayed/neutered dog and $16.00 for an unsprayed/un-neutered dog.

6. Please make your check payable to “Town of Wappinger”.

7. The Town of Wappinger does allow dog owners to purchase multiple year licenses (1, 2 or 3 year licenses). Simply multiply the license cost by the number of years that you will be licensing for. For example, a 3 year license for a spayed/neutered dog would cost $18.00. You will need to have at least one month left on your dog’s rabies certificate to renew for one year. You will need to have at least one year and one month left on your dog’s rabies certificate to renew for two years. You will need to have at least two years and one month left on your dog’s rabies certificate to renew for three years.

8. The Town of Wappinger does not pro-rate licenses.

9. The Town of Wappinger does not have a mechanism in place to refund licensing fees.

10. The Town of Wappinger does not recognize licenses issued by other municipalities. The SPCA is not authorized to issue licenses on behalf of the Town of Wappinger.

11. There is no discount for senior citizen dog licenses.

Notes

1. If your dog has been stolen, gone missing, or been transferred to another owner, you are required to notify the Town Clerk’s Office within 10 days of such change.

2. If your dog has passed away since the last license was issued, you are required to notify the Town Clerk’s Office either prior to the renewal of licensure or upon the time of such renewal.

3. Dog licenses are not transferrable.

4. The Town of Wappinger does not issue purebred or kennel licenses. All dogs will be licenses individually.

5. Each dog licensed in the Town of Wappinger is required to wear the issued identification tag on the dog’s collar.

Please take the time to read through the Dog Control Law of the Town of Wappinger for more information. The Law can be found by clicking the following link.