Dog Licenses

CITY HALL HOURS  |  The City Clerk's Office is located in City Hall. City Hall is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. City Hall is not open on these Holidays.

All dogs 4 months of age or older are required by New York State law to be licensed each year by their owner in the municipality where they reside.

How to Apply for a Dog License

You can license your dog in person at the City Clerk's office or by mail. To apply for a dog license, you must complete the Dog License Application. Attach a copy of your identification, current rabies certificate, proof of spaying or neutering, and cash, check, or money order for the appropriate licensing fee. Rabies certificate must include the veterinarian's name and place of business, the manufacturer and serial/lot number of the vaccine, the rabies tag number, and the date and duration of vaccination. 

Checks and money orders should be made out to Troy City Clerk.

City of Troy
c/o City Clerk
433 River Street, Suite 5001
Troy, NY 12180

If you apply by mail, your license certificate and dog tag will be mailed to you shortly after we receive your application and payment.

NOTE: as of July 2018, tenants are no longer required to obtain a notarized permission form from their landlords to apply, but it is your responsibility to abide by the terms of your lease.

Fees

• $15 Spayed/Neutered
• $20 Unspayed/Unneutered
• $7.50 Senior Citizens (owners aged 65 or older)

There is a reduced fee for the following legal exceptions: guide dog, war dog, police dog, work dog, hearing/seeing eye dog, or other service/emotional support dog. You must present the exemption paperwork at the time of licensing and each time you renew to receive the reduced fee.

Annual Renewal

You will receive a renewal reminder by mail or email approximately one month prior to your dog license's expiration date. If you have neutered or spayed your dog in the year since your last licensing date, please include that documentation for the reduced fee. If your rabies vaccination has expired, send an updated rabies vaccination certificate.

RENEW ONLINE!
You can now renew your dog license online. Go to dog license online! 

No fee will be added for a late renewal. However, licenses are only good for one year. It is your responsibility to renew your dog license before or on the date of expiration. If your dog is picked up by Animal Control and has an expired license, you will be charged the non-license fee (see below).

If you misplace or do not receive your renewal notice, you can send a check or money order in the appropriate amount, along with an updated rabies certificate, if needed, to the City Clerk's Office along with the Dog License Renewal Form (PDF).

Replacement Tag

Renewals do not require a new tag. If your original tag is lost, you may apply for a new one by mail or in person at the Clerk's office. There is a $5 charge per replacement tag.

What Happens if My Dog is Picked Up by Animal Control?

Dogs are picked up by Animal Control for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to: stray and/or unleashed dogs, abandonment, improper shelter and/or care, attacks and/or bites of other animals and/or humans. Each case is unique and the Animal Control Officer will provide an explanation for the seizure on your paperwork.

How Do I Get My Dog Back?

Call the City Clerk's office to verify that your dog was picked up by Animal Control and is at a local shelter and to pay your redemption fees and license your dog, if necessary. At this time, the Clerk's office can only accept cash for dog redemptions. See the information below on fees. After the fees have been paid, you will bring your signed paperwork and receipt to the shelter to collect your dog.

Fees

Fees are set by law and are applicable for all dogs. Neither the shelter nor the City Clerk are legally allowed to waive these fees. Total fees are based on whether your dog was licensed at the time it was seized.

Impoundment Fees
(tracked per owner over a three-year period): 

1st violation = $50
2nd violation = $100
3rd violation, = $150

Transport Fee = $25

If your dog is unlicensed

Fine = $50
Dog Fee = See below 
$15 Spayed/Neutered
$20 Unspayed/Unneutered
$7.50 Seniors (65+)

Low Cost Rabies & Spay / Neuter Clinics

The Rensselaer County Department of Public Health offers an affordable option for residents to vaccinate their pets against rabies. View clinic dates and locations. 

The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society offers low-cost spay/neuter services to pet owners who qualify for their program. For more information, visit their webpage.

Questions?

Please email the City Clerk's Office or call 518-279-7134.