The Town of North Reading By-Laws (Chapter 23 “Animals”) requires that every dog three-months and older be licensed by May 31st annually. There is a 30-day "grace" period and on July 1st, a late fee will also be assessed in addition to the cost of the license for existing dogs. Dogs which are "new" to the Town may be licensed at any time -- no late fee is assessed.
Proof of spaying or neutering is required, as well as a current rabies certificate which provides information regarding the dog (name, age, breed, color, sex, date of rabies vaccination and duration).
If you are unable to come to the office, the dog license can be obtained by mail by forwarding the rabies certificate and proof of spaying or neutering (if such is the case), together with the owner information (name, address, telephone), appropriate fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The tag, license and other documentation will be returned. Your check should be made payable to the “Town of North Reading.”
Please note that the Town has adopted the provisions of Chapter 369 of the Acts of 2002, which allows those persons 70 years of age and older to license their dog(s) at no cost.
Licenses will be available the first week in April.
2011 FEE SCHEDULE |
Male -- unaltered |
$20.00 |
Neutered Male |
$10.00 |
Female -- unaltered |
$20.00 |
Spayed Female |
$10.00 |
Owner over 70 |
N/C |
Late Fee -- July 1st * [*renewals only] |
$ 5.00 |
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EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2012
Beginning January 2012, the licensing period for dogs will be by CALENDAR year (January 1 - December 31 annually). This is due to a change in the General By-Laws Chapter 23-2 (Animals), which was passed at the June 6, 2011 Town Meeting and was subsequently approved by the Attorney General's Office.
This by-law change also provides for a 3-month period to process all renewal dog licenses (January 1 - March 31), after which a LATE FEE will be assessed in accordance with the Town Clerk's Office fee schedule in addition to the license fee. A fee adjustment will be made for existing licenses renewed between January 1 - March 31 for the 2012 transitional year only; however after the March 31 deadline, there will be no fee adjustment and a late fee will also be assessed.
Dogs which are "new" to the Town may still be licensed at any time without incurring a late fee.
In addition, persons 70 years of age or older will continue to receive a dog license at no cost if issued by the March 31 deadline; however following the deadline, a late fee will be assessed.
Proof of spaying or neutering will still be required, as well as a current rabies certificate which provides information regarding the dog (name, age, breed, color, sex, date of rabies vaccination and duration).
Notice of the new dog licensing changes, including a licensing worksheet and additional information on the fees, will be included with the annual census mailing in January.
2012 FEE SCHEDULE Newly-Licensed Dogs |
Male -- unaltered |
$20.00 |
Neutered Male |
$10.00 |
Female -- unaltered |
$20.00 |
Spayed Female |
$10.00 |
Owner over 70 |
N/C |
Late Fee — April 1st * [*renewals only] |
$10.00 |
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