All Dogs in Jersey City & Hoboken Must Be Licensed and Wear Their License Tag

Licensing your dog allows cities to collect important information about the animals living within their borders, and ensures that those animals are vaccinated against rabies. It also helps cities plan for future investment in pubic amenities like dog runs and parks, track population changes, and alert animal owners in the event of an emergency.

Jersey City and Hoboken require all pet dogs over the age of 7 months to be licensed with the city. The fees from animal licenses are used to pay for local rabies prevention initiatives. You can be ticketed for not licensing your animal, which is why all dogs should wear their license tag on their collar.

Download and print the Jersey City license application here, or complete the online JC dog license application here. You can download and print the Hoboken license application here. 

IMPORTANT COVID-19 UPDATE:

ESSENTIAL ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES PROVIDED BY LHS WILL CONTINUE, ON AN EMERGENCY/HIGH PRIORITY CALL BASIS. LHS'S SHELTER WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. 

LHS's team of dedicated Animal Control Officers and Investigators is the main point of contact for all stray animal concerns in our service areas, and is responsible for everything from call dispatch, to animal rescue, to public education and resources. 

Please DO NOT attempt to use social media to reach the Animal Response Team (ART) or seek help for an animal. For all inquiries and emergencies you must CALL US at 201.547.4888

The Animal Response Team serves Jersey City, Hoboken and Bayonne. If you live outside of these areas you need to contact your municipal Health Department or Police Department for assistance in reaching your animal services provider. 

Contact the Animal Response Team Anytime If:

-You have found an injured or sick stray animal (this includes wildlife)

-You have found and confined a stray domestic animal

-You are witnessing possible animal cruelty or neglect

-There is a stray animal who appears to be dangerous

-There is a wild animal in your living space that cannot escape 

The above situations are considered animal emergencies. If you are not experiencing an animal emergency please contact the ART during business hours (Mon-Sat, 8am-4pm, excluding holidays). You can also make complaints and submit inquiries online at any time. These will be answered by an ART member during business hours.

Contact the Animal Response Team During Business Hours (8am-4pm Mon-Sat) If You:

-Wish to report a nuisance complaint (barking dog, off-leash dog, unlicensed dog, poop)

-Are requesting information about feral or outdoor cats

-Are seeking an update about a complaint you made

-Wish to speak to an Animal Response Team member

-Have seen a deceased dog on public property

-Have found a deceased stray dog or cat on your property

Deceased cats and wild animals on public property are picked up by the Department of Public Works during business hours.

For Jersey City call: 201.547.4900. For Hoboken call: 201.420.2375. For Bayonne call: 201.858.6070

Dog licensing is handled directly by the Health Department of your municipality. Click here for Jersey City's application. Click here for Hoboken. Bayonne does not have a licensing application available online, please contact the clerk's office: 201.858.6029

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Liberty Humane Society's Low-Cost Wellness Clinic was featured in the summer issue of Best Friends' Magazine!

Exciting news--we're bringing LHS's community services on the road to you!  Hudson County residents: which events would be most beneficial to you and your community?  If enough people from a town express an interest we'll make it happen! 

UPDATE 2/9/2016: Braveheart and Faithful are ready to find a home together!

UPDATE 2/1/2016: Braveheart has come back from the vet and is reunited with Faithful!

UPDATE 1/25/2016: Braveheart is out of surgery and on his way to recovery!

UPDATE 1/24/2016: Braveheart has been sent for surgery at the vet.

In the days leading up to Winter Storm Jonas, two stray dogs were spotted in Liberty State Park. Park Police partnered with Jersey City Animal Control to attempt capture, but the dogs eluded them by running deeper into the park.

The day before the storm, they were seen again. While Animal Control officers tried to collar the frightened dogs, one of them lunged. In self-defense an officer opened fire and shot one of the dogs. The two managed to escape back into the park. Traps were set overnight and the snow started falling.

By morning more than 20 inches had accumulated. Animal Control officers trudged all over Liberty State Park in search of the dogs. Finally they were found mid-day, huddled together in the same trap.