Massachusetts law requires that all dogs be licensed with their city or town by April 1st of each year. To apply, you must have proof of a current rabies vaccination.
Normally, Boston officials send out packages reminding people with dogs to renew. I called Animal Care and Control to check if the mailing had gone out and found that it's been delayed this year and that the city of Boston plans to delay enforcement.
I don't know what this does if you are in another city or town with your dog, since it's a state law that requires a license. Better apply online or call the contact number at Animal Care to ask that a license package be sent to you now.
I put a reminder on my calendar on March 1st and have already applied online and received Poppy's Boston dog license. Here's the link for Boston. (Check your city or town to see if it offers this convenient service.)
My Poppy was already registered, so I typed in her current license number and all my information was filled in by the system. I uploaded a photo of her spay certificate and one of her current rabies record. Then I entered my credit card information and completed the transaction. The cost this year in Boston for a spayed dog is $16, including a one dollar processing fee.
When her license arrived, we scanned it and put a copy in Dropbox so that both Ed and I always have access to it on our phones. The tag was added to Poppy's ID set.
On a side note, Poppy would like to thank the person who cleared this park bench for her. She loves benches.
Low Cost Rabies Clinics
From the Facebook Page for the City of Boston Animal Care and Control, here is a list of the times and places where you can get a low cost rabies vaccination. The following information was given in two posts.
Fees:
"The fees for the rabies clinics are:
$5 for the rabies shot for Boston Residents
$10 for non-Boston Residents
License fees:
$15 for Spayed/Neutered Dogs
$30 for non-fixed Dogs"
Clinics:
"Saturday April 4th 10am-2pm
Codman Square BCYF Perkins Community Center
155 Talbot Ave
Saturday May 2nd 10am-2pm
East Boston BCYF Martin Pino Community Center
86 Boardman St
Saturday May 9th 10am-2pm
West Roxbury BCYF Roche Family Community Center
1716 Centre St
Saturday May 16th 10am-2pm
South Boston BCYF Condon Community Center
200 D St
Tuesday September 22nd 4pm-8pm
City of Boston Animal Care and Control
26 Mahler Rd"
Update 04.14.15 Since we didn't see any improvement in the list or access to information about low cost rabies clinics in Boston we hunted down this list from the state.
Why Should You Get a Dog License?
We've said it before and now we are saying it again. A license is proof that your dog has had a rabies shot. That's important to anyone who might have to help you find a lost dog or treat a hurt one.
It's really important to let the city know how many dogs live here and should be considered when the politicians do their planning and spend our money. Getting everyone to license their dogs will send a message. So, stand up and be counted!
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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2015 Penny Cherubino