Dog Licenses

(Town Ordinance Sec. 22-337 Through 22-359c)

Every dog, except dogs kept under a kennel license as provided in section 22-342, must be licensed when it becomes six months old and then annually in June. The Town Clerk issues licenses for the dogs in his or her town.

The Town Clerk must provide for issuance and renewal of licenses through the mail, and may make license applications available at such facilities as kennels, pet stores, veterinarian's offices, humane society offices and pet grooming establishments.
For issuance and renewal by mail, send a copy of the current Certificate of Rabies vaccination along with the fee of $8 for spayed/neutered dogs and $19 for non-spayed/non-neutered dogs (checks only), self-addressed stamped return envelope with extra postage and the completed Request Form

The Town Clerk's office at Town Campus, 8 Campus Drive, Madison, CT  offers dog licenses starting June 1st. 


Licenses & Tags

Every person complying with the dog licensing statutes must be given a license on a form prescribed by the commissioner of agriculture, which contains a description of the dog and the number under which the dog is licensed. With each license, the Town Clerk must issue a tag or plate of material approved by the commissioner, upon which shall be distinctly marked the name of the town in which the dog is licensed, the license number of the dog, and the year of the license. Tags are in fact ordered by the Town Clerk from the Commissioner of Agriculture, at a cost of 5 cents each. The color and shape of the tags are uniform throughout the state and are changed every year.

dog license request form

Fees

  • neutered male/spayed female = $8
  • unneutered male/unspayed female = $19

These fees are not prorated by month for dogs which become 6 months of age after June 30, but are the same throughout the year.

 A penalty of $1 per month or fraction of a month is charged when an  owner fails to license a dog when it becomes six months old. However, no penalty is charged if the owner presents certain proof of new  ownership; see License by New Owners.

License By New Owners

Anyone who becomes owner or keeper of an unlicensed dog over 6 months old must license the dog within 30 days of acquisition. If the new owner presents satisfactory evidence that the dog was obtained from a licensed kennel or animal welfare organization, or was imported into the state within 30 days, no penalties for late licensing shall be charged.

Any person becoming owner of an already-licensed dog may present the license and tag to the Town Clerk of the town in which he resides and, for a fee of $1, shall receive a new license and tag in his name. The Town Clerk must retain the old license.

Guide Dogs

Any blind, deaf or mobility impaired person who is owner or keeper of a  dog trained to guide and assist him shall receive a license and tag for  such dog, and no fee shall be charged. Also, dogs between 6 months and 1 year of age, placed for training as guide dogs, shall also receive a  license and tag at no fee, provided satisfactory evidence is presented  that the dog was placed by an organization which supplies such guide  dogs.

Licensing When Owner Moves

If a dog owner moves his or her residence to another town, he or she must present the license and tag to the Town Clerk of his or her new town who, for a fee of $1, issues a new license and tag. The Town Clerk must retain the old license and tag.

Neutering, Spaying & Rabies Certificates

The Town Clerk may not issue a license for a neutered male or a spayed female dog not previously licensed unless the person obtaining the license presents a certificate from a licensed veterinarian stating that he or she has neutered or spayed the dog or that he or she has examined the dog and found it to be neutered or spayed.

Likewise, no license may be issued unless a valid rabies certificate, signed by a licensed veterinarian, and including date of vaccination and duration of immunity, is submitted to the Town Clerk.

On or before June 1 of each year, the Town Clerk and Director of Health may arrange a low-cost clinic for the vaccination of dogs and cats against rabies. The licensing of dogs at an anti-rabies clinic is permitted under statute.

Replacement of Lost Tags

Replacements for lost tags may be issued by the Town Clerk for a fee of $0.50, which the Town Clerk retains.

Copies of Licenses

On or before August 1 of each year, the Town Clerk must give a copy of all licenses to the canine control officer or, if the town has none, to the regional canine control officer.

Temporary Licenses 

Any person acquiring an unlicensed dog from a dog pound shall be issued a temporary license which shall expire 30 days after issuance. Prior to expiration of the license, such person must apply for a license for the remainder of the license year.

Agents at Dog Pounds

Town clerks may deputize employees of any dog pound in the Town as agents for the issuance of dog licenses and tags. The Town Clerk is solely responsible for the agent's compliance with the provisions of the statutes relating to licenses and tags, and for all money received.