cityofboston.gov - Official Web Site of the City of Boston - Thomas M. Menino, Mayor

• Dog licenses 
• Spay/Neuter
• Leash Your Dog
• Dog Fouling

Dog Licenses

Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 140, Sections 137 and 141, and City Ordinance 10-1.9C mandate that every dog owner must obtain a license for their pet each year. Proof of rabies vaccination is required to purchase a license and puppies upon reaching six months of age are required to be vaccinated and licensed accordingly. Search our database for information on an existing dog license.
Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 140, Section 137
Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 140, Section 141
Dog License Database

A dog license may be purchased by mail for your convenience. You must complete the dog license application and mail it along with a copy of your dog's rabies vaccination certificate and check for the appropriate fee (you must provide written proof of spay/neuter certificate to receive the discounted rate). Your license will then be mailed to you.
Dog License Application
Learn More about Dog Licenses

In order to keep our records current, please notify our office during the year of any change of information. Duplicate licenses may be purchased for $2.00.

Why license your pet?

Pet licensing ensures that every pet is traceable to its owner in order to foster pet-owner accounts. A Boston city dog license provides an excellent form of identification for your dog. Licensing increases the numbers of lost pets reunited with their owners. If your dog is lost, a license provides means of notification if your dog is found or taken to the animal shelter.

A City Of Boston dog license provides rabies identification. Every year, hundreds of people in The City Of Boston are bitten by dogs. Treatment for rabies can be avoided when the dog is displaying a current license. When proof of rabies vaccination is required to purchase an animal license, licensing provides a means to control and monitor rabies with office records of rabies vaccination. This in turn helps sever the link between wild animals with rabies and domestic animals from which humans are most likely to contract the disease.

Unlicensed dog owners may be cited for violation of city and state dog licensing laws (16-1.9D) in the amount of $50.00.

Why should I get my pet spayed/neutered?

It's good for you...

Spayed and neutered pets are better, more affectionate companions.

Spaying a female dog or cat eliminates its heat cycle. Female dogs go into heat twice a year, lasting anywhere from three to fifteen days. During this time dogs are known to show nervous behavior and attract unwanted male animals.

Owners of spayed and neutered dogs receive a discount on their license fee.

It's good for your pet...

Spayed and neutered dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.

Neutered animals are less likely to roam or fight.

It's good for the community...

As responsible pet owners, as well as a caring and concerned citizen, prevent a litter by having your pet spayed or neutered.

Benefits of Spaying and Neutering

Exercise restraint...leash your dog!

An essential rule to be followed by all responsible dog owners:

• When your dog is off your property, it must be on a leash. The purpose of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140, Section 173 and City Ordinance 16-1.9 is intended to protect people from free roaming dogs.
  Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140, Section 173

• When not confined to your property either inside the house or in secured fenced yard, your dog must be under control. A responsible dog owner does not allow their pet to be a menace to their neighbors, chasing cars and children, getting into trash, not to mention soiling their neighbor's yards.

• While enjoying our city's parks with our pets the same rules apply. We must respect the rights of those with whom we share the city's parks in order to ensure a clean and safe environment.

Dog Fouling and the Law

The City of Boston's Dog Fouling Ordinance, Section 16-1.10A of the City Code, requires dog owners to remove and properly dispose of any feces left by their dogs. This ordinance covers waste left by your dog on sidewalks, streets and parks, and on your neighbor's yards.

When walking your dog, the law necessitates you to be prepared for such occurrences and be equipped with a bag or some other means of feces removal. After it is removed, it is important to dispose of the feces properly, either in a toilet or in a trash container (after being secured in a plastic bag).

These laws are intended to protect the public from potential hazardous health conditions, and prevent environmental pollution caused by dog waste.