Dog Licensing Information, Mail-In Form & Rabies Clinic

Dog licensing may be completed at the Town Clerk’s office during regular business hours, by mail or online. Please provide a copy of the vaccination certificate showing the expiration date and proof of spaying/neutering (if applicable and not already on file- WE WILL NOT PROCESS THE DOG LICENSE WITHOUT THE RABIES VACCINATION). Also, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if using the Mail-In Registration option.

REGISTRATION PERIOD & LATE FEES:

All dogs, ages six months and older, must be licensed on or before APRIL 30th, of each year. Failure to do so may result in a $50.00 late fee for each unlicensed dog; after September 30th the late fee increases to $100.00 (per dog). Non-payment could result with a court summons to FOURTH DISTRICT COURT IN WAREHAM, MA.

(Late fees voted by Board of Selectmen 8/24/2016.)

NOTICES AND CALLS ISSUED as follows:

• January- Town of Lakeville's Annual Town Census mailing will serve as a reminder to renew dog license each year.
• Late May- Citation from Dog Officer- for prior year (failure to license dog).
• Early June/July- Invoice/Statements for past due dog licenses for current year.
• September- Courtesy call from Town Clerk's office.
• October- Citations from Dog Officer- failure to license dog for current year.
• November/December- Failure to license dog owners sent to Municipal Hearing Officer (Lakeville Police Dept)- to be court summons to Fourth District Court in Wareham, MA

• Male/Female- $16.00
• Spayed/Neutered- $10.00
• Replacement tag- $2.00
• Owners 70yrs and older- NO dog license fee required. (Adopted on 5/10/2021 @ ATM, MGL c140,s139 (c)) Deadline will be strictly enforced.  Those who have not licensed their dog(s) would be imposed with a late fee.

• Kennel with 5 to 10 dogs -$60.00
• Kennel with 10 to 15 dogs- $120.00

The Kennel licensing period is January 1st - April 30th, as it is for individual dogs; the late fee begins May 1st and is $50.  The requirement to provide proof of rabies vaccinations and proof of spaying/neutering is also the same.  Kennel owners are not currently able to use the online payment system as an inspection is required prior to the kennel license being issued.

For more information and explanations/definitions regarding kennel licenses, please refer to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 136A - 174E.   If you have specific questions about your kennel and related fees, feel free to contact the Town Clerk's Office.

REGISTRATION ONLINE:

You may register your dog online if a current rabies certificate is on file. Visit the UniPayGold website here.  There is a convenience fee per dog and the credit card service provider charges a fee.

PLEASE NOTE: Online renewals must have an up to date rabies certificate on file with the Town Clerk's office and this feature is ONLY available through the licensing period of January 3rd - April 30th.

RENEWALS:

The Town of Lakeville's Annual Town Census mailing will serve as a reminder to renew your dog license each year.

RABIES CLINIC:

The Board of Health for the Town of Lakeville holds a rabies clinic in late March or early/late April of each year- see attachment below for more information

If you no longer have a dog, or any questions regarding dog licensing please contact the Town Clerks office at 508-946-8800.

WHAT IS RABIES?

Rabies is a disease caused by a germ in the saliva of a rabid animal including dogs. The germs enter the body through a wound made when a rabid animal bites another animal or person. The virus may also get into the body through open cuts or wounds.

CAN RABIES BE PREVENTED?

The good news is that rabies in humans and pets can be prevented by a vaccine. Massachusetts Law requires dog owners to have their dogs vaccinated for the prevention of rabies. For people who are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal, prompt treatment will protect the person from getting rabies.

HOW CAN I TELL IF AN ANIMAL HAS RABIES?

You can't tell if an animal has rabies. When an animal is sick with rabies, it may behave strangely. But a rabid animal may also appear healthy or even tame. The only way to tell if an animal has rabies is by testing it in a laboratory, or for some pets, by quarantine to see if rabies develops. RABIES NEVER APPEARS AS SUDDEN CONVULSIONS OR FITS.

WHAT TO DO WITH A DOG THAT HAS BITTEN A PERSON?

Do not put the dog down. Confine the dog and call a veterinarian. The dog should be kept under observation. If it remains well, there is no danger of rabies to an animal or person bitten; if it has rabies, definite symptoms will occur within the two week period of restraint that is required. If the dog is killed at once, you may never know whether or not it was rabid.

    Do Your “Doody”

for Clean Water

DO                                                                                                                           DON'T

• Pet waste left on lawns and in public spaces is not only gross. It can be quite harmful too. 
• Pet waste contains twice as much bacteria as human waste! 
• If left in your yard, pet waste can kill grass and other plants. 
• Adults and children who come in contact with it can get sick. 
• When pet waste washes into storm drains and waterways, it can make the water unhealthy for people and wildlife. 
• Pet waste in waterways can even cause algae to grow, making the water turn an unpleasant green color.

Do your "doody" in both public areas and in your yard.  To learn more, visit the www.ThinkBlueMassachusetts.org

Adapted from materials provided by Neponset Stormwater Partnership and used by permission