|
Hoboken Dog Licenses & Laws - Make Your Pooch Legal!
Dog License FAQ | Rabies Vaccinations | Additional Ordinances
For a good overview of responsible dog ownership, check out:
Urban Dog Etiquette & Street Sense (pdf) from the NYC ASPCA
Be a Responsible Dog Owner from the AKC
Please license your dog annually!
First, it's the law! According to the City, "failure to comply will result in a mandatory court appearance." Second, a dog license tag is a key form of identification in case your pooch gets lost. Third, City Hall's records show relatively few dog owners have registered their dogs in the past. We strongly urge all of the estimated thousands of Hoboken dog owners to license their dogs, so the needs and concerns of dog owners will be taken more seriously in Hoboken.
Hoboken Dog License FAQ
Who needs a dog license?
A license is required in New Jersey for all dogs 7 months of age and older and younger dogs with permanent teeth. You have 10 days to apply for a license after your dog reaches licensing age, you acquire such a dog, or you move into town with an unlicensed dog. The current year's license tag must be attached at all times to your dog's collar or harness, and Hoboken dog licenses must be renewed in January of each year.
New residents: If your dog already has a valid license from another NJ town, there's no need to apply for a Hoboken dog license for the current year (N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.3). However, if your dog was licensed in another state, you must apply for a Hoboken dog license within 15 days of residency. If your dog is unlicensed, you have 10 days to apply for a Hoboken dog license.
What's required for a license?
In order to obtain a license, you must provide documentation that: (a) your dog has been vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian, and (b) the vaccination is valid through the end of the current year. However, NJ state law provides for an exemption from the rabies vaccination requirement for any dog whose veterinarian certifies in writing to be "incapable of being inoculated because of an infirmary, other physical condition, or regimen of therapy" (N.J.A.C. 8:23A-4.3). See below for more info on the rabies vaccination requirement.
How much does it cost?
Fees: $10.00 if spayed/neutered (proof required) or $14.00 if NOT spayed/neutered. No fees apply to guide dogs. A $5.00 late penalty is added for license renewals not completed by January 31st.
Where do I get the license?
1. Download Hoboken's Dog License Application here: 2006 Hoboken Dog License Application (pdf)
2. Gather your supporting documentation: (a) a valid rabies certificate (good through the end of the year) & (b) spay/neuter verification (if applicable).
3. Mail back the completed form with your documentation to the address below OR apply in person:
The Hoboken Health Department
124 Grand Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030
Phone: (201) 420-2365 or 420-2375
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 3:30pm (closed for lunch 1-2pm)
Location: Ground floor (Bureau of Licensing & Vital Statistics)
Rabies Vaccination Requirement
A rabies vaccination is required for licensing, and the vaccination must be valid through the end of the calendar year. The Hoboken Health Department offers FREE rabies vaccinations for Hoboken residents twice a year, usually in January and May. Initial vaccinations are valid for one year (e.g., for young dogs and those with an unknown vaccination history), while subsequent vaccinations are valid for three years.
CAUTION for newly vaccinated and young/unvaccinated dogs: Your dog is NOT protected against the fatal rabies virus (a) within the first 30 days after his or her initial rabies vaccination, or (b) if he or she is too young to be vaccinated. To prevent possible exposure to rabid animals, it is strongly recommended that such dogs NEVER be left outdoors unattended.
Rabies info from the State of NJ:
- Policies and Guidelines for Animal Rabies Vaccination (pdf)
- What You Should Know About Rabies
- Rabies Fact Sheet
- Rabies: Communicable Diseases Service Manual (pdf)
Rabies Statistics: More than 4,700 cases of animal rabies were confirmed in NJ between January 1989 and September 2004, including 11 in Hudson County. [Source: NJ Animal Rabies Cases by County and Species (pdf), NJ Dept. of Health & Senior Services]
Additional Hoboken Dog Ordinances
Click below for more info from the City of Hoboken:
Health Department's Summary of Dog Regulations
"Dogs and Other Animals in The City of Hoboken-
A Guide to Local Regulations" pamphlet (pdf)
Hoboken City Code - Chapter 93: Dogs & Other Animals
|
