Dog Licenses
All dogs need to be licensed upon reaching the age of 6 months in the town where it resides; or after the dog has been with the family for 10 days, if adopted.
License fees support
- Local Animal Control Officers and State Humane Agents
- Investigation of animal cruelty complaints and enforcement of animal welfare laws
- Compliance with rabies vaccination of dogs
- Care for sick and injured stray animals
- Return of lost dogs to their owners
If you are licensing your dog for the first time
- You must have a current rabies vaccination certification issued by a Maine licensed veterinarian.
- You must have an accurate description of your dog, including your dog’s name, breed, sex and color.
- You must have a written statement from your veterinarian that clearly states your dog is altered and/or sterile to qualify for the low cost altered license fee.
- You must have the required licensing fee, i.e. $11.00 for unaltered fertile dog and $6.00 for altered or sterile dog.
If you are renewing your dog license
If your dog’s rabies vaccination has expired since the last time you licensed him/her, you will need to show certification of a current rabies vaccination from a Maine licensed veterinarian. If you no longer have your dog, please notify the Town Clerk’s Office at 276-5531. You may renew your dog online, starting October 15th and until January 31st. February 1st, the on-line functionality to re-new your dog on-line will be shut off. You will need:
- Credit Card
- License/Tag number (Renewal only)
- State of Maine Rabies certificate
- Veterinarian's name and phone number
- Spay or Neuter Certificate (if your dog has been "fixed")
Why you should license your dog
- Because rabies is increasing in Maine, licensing helps to insure public safety by requiring proof of a valid rabies vaccination before a license is issued.
- By licensing your dog you are directly helping in the fight against animal cruelty and abuse. Up to 90% of the dog license fee collected goes directly to the State of Maine Animal Welfare Program to support cruelty investigations.
- By licensing your dog you are demonstrating responsible pet ownership. Displaying a current State of Maine tag on your dog’s collar shows that you have taken a necessary step toward your responsibility to your pet’s wellbeing and the community’s safety
Renew Dog Licenses Online here
Maine Animal Welfare Statutes and Rules regarding Dogs
Chapter 721:https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/statutes/7/title7ch721sec0.html
Chapter 725:https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/statutes/7/title7ch725sec0.html
Attachment | Size |
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Animal Welfare Law for Dog Licenses | 850.05 KB |
Animal Welfare Law for Municipal Duties | 355.32 KB |
2018 Act to Strengthen the Law Regarding Dangerous Dogs and Nuisance Dogs | 117.96 KB |