Dog Licenses

The office of the Town Clerk is responsible for the licensing of all dogs in the Town as follows:

ARTICLE 7 OF THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW  RELATES TO THE LICENSING, IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF DOGS AND THE ANIMAL POPULATION CONTROL PROGRAM IN NEW YORK STATE AND IS ADMINISTERED BY THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS. DOGS HARBORED IN NEW YORK CITY, HOWEVER, MUST BE LICENSED BY THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. LOCAL OFFICIALS, GENERALLY ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS OR DOG CONTROL OFFICERS, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING ARTICLE 7. 

PLEASE READ: IMPORTANT CHANGES IN RABIES VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS 

Rabies 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 North Hempstead 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 North Hempstead 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 

HOW TO LICENSE YOUR DOG 

Apply for a dog license at the Town Clerk's Office, Town of North Hempstead, 200 Plandome Road, Manhasset NY 11030 or the Animal Shelter, 75 Marino Avenue, Port Washington NY 11050. 

In addition to the application, the owner will need: 

A certificate from a licensed veterinarian showing if the dog has been spayed or neutered, unless this proof is already on file with the clerk. 
ALL dogs (4) four 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. 

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
(516) 869-6311

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. 

LICENSE FEES SCHEDULE

Spayed or neutered dog $ 7.00 each
Unspayed or unneutered dog (under 4 months of age) $12.00 each
Unspayed or unneutered dog (over 4 months of age) $15.00 each
Guide/War/Hearing/Service/Police Work/Therapy dog No Fee

For Senior Citizen Owner (over 60, proof required)
$ 2.50 each - Spayed or neutered dog
$10.50 each - Unspayed or unneutered dog(over 4 months of age)

Dog owner must submit the following:
-Completed application
-Correct payment according to fee schedule
-Proof of rabies vaccination
-Certificate of spay/neuter (if applicable)

Please send all of the above to:
Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava
Town of North Hempstead
200 Plandome Road
Manhasset, NY 11030

If you have any questions, please call 516 869-6311.

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 Town of North Hempstead, Clerk’s office 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

LOCAL DOG CONTROL SERVICES 

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.