Dog and Cat Licenses

Dog and cat

Cat and dog licenses are provided by the Office of Vital Statistics in the Department of Health and Human Services

Phone number: 973-509-4973

Dog and cat license forms available for download.

Dog License form(PDF, 149KB)

Cat License Form(PDF, 93KB)

Please download the above form(s), fill out and send with payment to:

Department of Health and Human Services
Office of the Registrar
205 Claremont Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07042

The State Health Department requires all cats and dogs to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies.

Licenses can be obtained from the Health Department at the Montclair Health Department, third floor, 205 Claremont Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042

Dog Licenses: Renewed every January

The fees are as follows:

Neutered/Spayed - $12.00
Non-neutered/Spayed - $15.00
Late Fee: $10.00*
Lost Tag Fee: $1.00

*There is a late fee of $10 for license applications received after March 1st of licensing year. A copy of a valid rabies certificate must be presented at time of licensing.

Cat Licenses: Renewed Every September

Fees are as follows:

Neutered Cats: $8.00
Senior Citizens Neutered Cats: $5.00
Non-neutered Cats: $11.00
Senior Citizens Non-neutered Cats: $8.00
Late Fee: $10.00 *
Lost Tag Fee: $1.00

*Late fee applicable if application is not received by November 1st of licensing year.

The Township of Montclair has free rabies clinics in February, May and September.

The Montclair Health Department encourages all dog and cat owners to license their pets with the town – this is required by law. Compliance brings benefits to you, your pet and the community.

There are many reasons to register and license your pet.

  • You can think of your pet’s license as a way to ensure a free ride home in case it is lost. Anyone who has lost a pet knows how we worry about them until they are safe at home. The license tag can be quickly used to find your name and address and the authorities can notify you. This will bring about a quick reunion.
  • Licensing is a way for the community to ensure that pets are vaccinated against rabies, a terrible disease that is fatal to dogs and cats.
  • The fees from licensing stay in the community and help fund rabies clinics and support our animal control efforts. The cost of the license is far less than the fine imposed if your dog or cat is found without a license.
  • Last, but not least, it is the law!

The annual fee for licensing a dog in the Township of Montclair is $12 for a spayed/neutered dog or $15 for an intact dog. For a cat it is $8 for a spayed/neutered cat or $11 for an intact cat. Senior citizens pay a reduced fee of $5 for a spayed/neutered cat or $8 for an intact cat. In addition, microchipping is available for a $20 fee (but not mandatory).

In order to license your pet, you will need proof of rabies vaccination. The State of New Jersey requires licensing for any dog over the age of seven months*, and the Township also requires licensing for any cat over the age of seven months. Cat licenses expire August 31 and Dog licenses expire December 31.

The Township regularly takes a door-to-door canvass to ensure pets are being licensed. Late fees will be charged for any cat that is licensed after November 1 and any dog that is licensed after March 1. Owners may be responsible for court appearances and additional fines for animals not licensed by these dates.

For more information on how to license your pet, contact Department of Health and Human Services at 973-509-4973.

For more information on how to microchip your pet, contact the Montclair Township Animal Shelter at 973-744-8600.

* http://www.state.nj.us/nj/community/community/dog_licenses.html

Animal Cruelty Information

4:22-17 Cruelty; certain acts, crime; degrees
4:22-26 Penalties for various acts constituting cruelty
Guide to Prevention of Animal Cruelty Laws 2018

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