DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife is urging Delaware dog owners, except for those residing in the city of Wilmington, to license their pets by March 1. (Wilmington residents should contact the city’s Constituent Services Office for dog licensing information.)
Dogs six months and older must be licensed. Licenses can be obtained in-person from DNREC’s offices at 89 Kings Highway in Dover or from many veterinary clinics, pet shops, sporting goods and department stores. A complete listing of license agents can be found at www.fw.delaware.gov/services/licenses.htm. Dog licenses can also be purchased on DNREC’s Web site at www.fw.delaware.gov.
To encourage spaying and neutering, licenses for sterilized dogs cost $3 for one year and licenses for unsterilized dogs are $6. Two-year and three-year licenses are available if a rabies certificate is valid for the period. License exemptions are available for Seeing Eye, lead or guide dogs by contacting the division.
A rabies vaccination certificate including vaccination and expiration dates is required to obtain a license. The rabies expiration date must occur after March 1 of the year the dog license expires.
Dog owners should attach the license tag to a substantial collar, and the license should be worn by the dog at all times.
The fine for an unlicensed dog ranges from $50 to $100 for the first offense.
According to Patrick Emory, director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife, purchasing a license is one of the most important things an owner can do to protect their dog. “Each year, hundreds of dogs are lost or separated from their owners. A dog license is the best way to ensure that if this happens, a dog and its owner can be reunited safely and quickly.”
Funds from license sales help support the statewide dog-control program. Changes were made to this program in July 1, 2006, when DNREC awarded a new contract to the Kent County SPCA. Under the contract, the SPCA campus at Stanton in New Castle County and the Georgetown location in Sussex County are no longer responsible for dog control.
Responsibilities for dog control include picking up stray dogs, answering dog complaints, responding to dangerous dog issues and inspecting dog kennels. To report dog control problems, including the location of shelters to receive stray dogs, call the toll-free number, 888-352-7722 or the Kent County SPCA Shelter at (302) 698-3006. To view stray dogs, go to www.kentcountyspca.com and click on the “Lost and Found” page.
To report information on a dog bite or possible rabies exposure, call the Rabies Control 24-Hour Hotline at (302) 744-4545. For more information on DNREC’s dog license program, contact Lynn Herman, Delaware Dog Control Administrator, at (302) 739-9911.