Dog Licenses

Why should I license my dog?
What dogs must be licensed?
How to license your dog
Reminder Notifications

Frequently Asked Questions
 

 

HOW TO LICENSE YOUR DOG

In order to license your dog, you will need to provide the proper paperwork from your dog’s veterinarian and the appropriate fee (see below). Each dog is assigned a permanent official identification number and issued a metal ID tag which is to be attached to your dog’s collar and worn at all times.

Veterinarian Paperwork Required

• RABIES VACCINATION

All dogs 4 months or older must have proof of a valid rabies vaccination showing the date of vaccination and whether it is a 1 year or 3 year vaccine OR a certificate from a licensed veterinarian stating why the life of the dog would be endangered by the vaccine. 

As a reminder, New York State law states that a license cannot be renewed if the rabies is due to expire in less than 30 days.

• SPAY/NEUTER (if applicable)

If the dog is spayed or neutered, a certificate from a licensed veterinarian must be presented at the time of licensing.  Spay/neuter is not required, however it does reduce the cost of the license.

License Fee

For your convenience, our office is able to license your dog for the length of the rabies vaccination on file (up to 3 years). However, please note that dog license fees are NON-REFUNDABLE.

	Dog Owner Age 0-64	Dog Owner Age 65+*
Spayed or Neutered Dog	$9/year	$4/year
Non-Spayed or Non-Neutered Dog	$18/year	$13/year

 

*The Town began offering reduced fee dog licenses as of January 1, 2022 for dog owners who are 65 or older. Please note that previously paid license fees can not be refunded. We apologize for any inconvenience.

 

• Pay Online

An online dog licensing portal is available to renew existing licenses. Unfortunately, the portal cannot be used to register a new dog. 

In order to renew ​online, a valid rabies vaccination must be on file with the Town Clerk’s Office.  If the rabies vaccination has expired or is due to expire in less than 30 days, you can email proof of vaccination to the Town Clerk’s Office at townclerk@henrietta.org.  Upon receipt of payment, your updated dog license will be sent to you either by email or mail.

Please note that there is a minimum $1.55 service fee for online credit card payments and a flat $2.00 fee for e-checks.  This fee is not charged nor collected by the Town of Henrietta, but the payment processor.

 

• In-Person

We are able to accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express cards for payment. Please note that there is a service fee of 2.45% or a minimum of $1.55 applied to all credit and debit card transactions. This fee is not charged nor collected by the Town of Henrietta, but the payment processor.

 

• External Drop Box

We have installed a secure drop box that is available 24 hours a day. All deposits will be collected at 9 a.m. every business day by the Clerk's Office and processed using the previous business day's date.

The drop box is located outside the east wing entrance of Town Hall. Please be advised that the only form of payment accepted in the drop box will be check or money order.

 

• Internal Drop Box

We have a self-service drop box available in our west wing entrance during normal business hours. Please be advised that the only form of payment accepted in the drop box will be check or money order.

 

• Mail in your payment

For renewals, mail in the renewal postcard you received in the mail along with a check payable to the Town of Henrietta.  If our records indicate that your dog’s rabies vaccination has expired or is due to expire in less than 30 days, you will also need to include proof of updated rabies vaccination.

For new licenses, print out the New Dog License Application and mail it with your proof of valid rabies vaccination and spay/neuter certificate (if applicable).

Make your check payable to the "Town of Henrietta" and mail the appropriate paperwork to the following address:

Town of Henrietta
Attn: Town Clerk's Office
475 Calkins Road
Rochester, NY  14623
 

 

​Updates and Changes

If you have moved or if the dog is no longer a member of your household, please call us at 585-359-7038 or email us at townclerk@henrietta.org and we will adjust our records accordingly.

 

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WHY SHOULD I LICENSE MY DOG?

1. It’s the law - New York State Agriculture & Markets Law, Article 7, requires that dogs in New York State be licensed and wear their dog license tag.
2. Easy identification - When wearing a license tag, dogs are easier to identify, enabling them to be reunited with their owner faster.  A license is a lost dog’s ticket home.
3. Health / safety - By requiring that a dog have valid rabies vaccination prior to licensing, a dog license helps to control and prevent the spread of rabies.
4. Dog Park - All Monroe County Dog Parks, including the Henrietta Dog Park at Lookup Park, require a valid dog license and rabies vaccination.  For more information, please visit our Dog Park page.

Love Me? License Me! brochure

 

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WHAT DOGS MUST BE LICENSED?

EVERY dog owned or harbored in New York State for longer than 30 days must be licensed.  The ONLY license exceptions are as follows:

• Dogs under 4 months of age not running at large;

• 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; and

• 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 New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets.

 

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REMINDER NOTIFICATIONS

Each dog owner will receive a notification by mail and email one month prior to the month that the license expires. At the beginning of the month that the license expires there will be a second reminder by mail as well as an email notification. If the dog license has still not been renewed by the license expiration date, there will be an additional $5 late fee due.

 

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