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Photo by Joanna Wilson
Ellie's in fine fettle and fetching in her 2008 Delaware dog license, minted this year in the shape of the First State.
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All dogs in the State of Delaware must be licensed as required by state law. Dog owners residing in Wilmington must get a City of Wilmington license and all other residents of the State must get a State dog license. Wilmington residents do not need a State license in addition to the City of Wilmington license.
Dog licenses are available for purchase that cover one, two or three calendar years. All licenses expire on Dec. 31 of the appropriate license year purchased. For example a one-, two- or three-year license purchased Feb. 2, 2008 will expire Dec. 31, 2008 for a one-year license, Dec. 31, 2009 for a two-year license and Dec. 31, 2010 for a three-year license.
The deadline for licensing dogs after a dog license has expired Dec. 31of any year is March 1 of the following year.
Licenses for spayed/neutered dogs cost $3 for one year, $6 for two years and $9 for three years, while licenses for unaltered dogs cost $6 for one year, $12 for two years and $18 for three years. The limiting factor for a one-, two- or three-year license is the expiration date of the rabies certificate. The rabies certificate must be valid through March 1 of each year that you intend to license your dog (or in other words, the rabies expiration date must occur after March 1 of the year of the dog license you are trying to purchase expires).
For example: You purchase your dog license Feb. 1, 2008. If your rabies certificate expires April 12, 2008 you would only be able to buy a one-year license. If it expires April 12, 2009, you would be able to buy a two-year license and if it expires April 12, 2010 you would be able to buy a three-year license. If it expires before March 1, you must have your dog vaccinated before getting the license for the current calendar year or for a subsequent year.
All dogs six months and older must be licensed. If your dog turns six months old between Jan. 1 and March 1 of any year, the March 1 requirement applies. If the dog turns six months old July 12, for example, you must license the dog at that time for the current year.
You can get licenses in person at DNREC's front desk licensing area in the lobby of the Richardson and Robbins Building at 89 Kings Highway in Dover. Licenses are also available through dog license agents in Delaware and can be purchased online as well. Wilmington residents should contact the city’s Constituent Services at 302-576-2490 for dog licensing info.
A rabies vaccination certificate, including vaccination and expiration dates, is required to get a license. Dog owners should attach the license tag to a collar, and the license should be worn by the dog at all times.
Fines for an unlicensed dog range from $50 - $100 for the first offense. License exemptions include seeing eye, lead or guide dogs. (Referring to dogs trained to assist the blind.) Dogs which have served in the military are also exempted. Exemptions are listed in Title 7, Chapter 17, Subchapter 1, Section (j)
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To report dog control problems, or to find shelters that accept stray dogs, call 888-352-7722, or the Delaware Animal Care & Control (the renamed animal control section of the Kent County SPCA) shelter at 302-698-3006.
To view stray dogs online, 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: 302-744-4545.
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For more info, call Lynn Herman, Delaware Dog Control Administrator, at 302-739-9911.
Delaware Dog Control at a Glance:
At the turn of the last century large, wild dog packs roamed freely throughout the state, killing livestock, spreading disease, and causing mayhem for farmers and other citizens. The problem had to be addressed.
1925 – Dog control in Delaware began and was operated by the Game and Fish Commission. Dog law enforcement was carried out by wardens and wildlife enforcement personnel.
1950’s – Enforcement duties were divided between dog wardens and game wardens.
1960 – Dog control north of the C&D Canal was transferred to the Delaware SPCA.
1970 – The Game and Fish Commission was dissolved and its duties were assumed by DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife.
1971 – Dog law enforcement was “outsourced” to the SPCA due to increased demand for dog control. This resulted in better service to the public and a significant cost savings.
1974 – License fees were tripled to $3.00 and included mandatory rabies vaccinations.
1975 – 1984 – In addition to license fees and fines, dog control program income was supplemented with funding from the General Assembly. In 1985, support was secured from the General Fund.
1999 – License fees for unaltered dogs increased to $6.00.
2006 – DNREC contracts with the Kent County SPCA (whose animal control section is now known as Delaware Animal Care & Control) for statewide dog control program (excluding the City of Wilmington).
2007 - The cost of licensing a neutered/spayed dog remains at $3.00.
Dog License Statistics
Other helpful links
Kent County SPCA
Delaware Humane Association
To report information on a dog bite, or possible rabies exposure, call the Rabies Control 24-Hour Hotline: 302-744-4545
