Cecil County
Home MenuDog Licensing
Pets are an important part of our community. Please help us keep the County a safe, clean and friendly place to live through your responsible, humane pet ownership. We are pleased to provide the following information to you regarding our Cecil County animal regulations.
- All dogs, cats and ferrets over the age of four (4) months must be immunized against rabies.
- Application for licenses may be made within 60 days prior to January 1 or within 30 days following the establishment of residency within the County or within 30 days after an animal becomes four months of age, without penalty.
- All dogs over the age of four months shall be licensed on or before December 31 for each licensing year.
- Licenses are annual licenses based on a calendar year.
- Licenses are sold at:
- For your convenience, dog license applications are also accepted through the mail. Simply complete the dog license application and follow the instructions provided on the form.
- A valid rabies immunization certificate, which includes the inoculation date, expiration date and type of vaccine used, must be presented to obtain a dog license.
- Kennel, Cattery and Pet Shop licenses have a separate application process that is coordinated with Planning and Zoning, the Cecil County Finance Office and the Animal Care and Control Authority. See Kennel, Cattery and Pet Shop Licenses below.
- Senior Citizens 65+ will be able to obtain up to two (2) free dog tags per household provided the dogs are neutered or spayed with proof of current rabies vaccination.
- Dog license violations are issued by the Animal Care and Control Authority (ACCA) as appointed by Cecil County Government. Effective July 1, 2016, the ACCA is:
- Cecil County Animal Services
3280 Augustine Herman Highway
Chesapeake City, MD 21915
Phone: 410-441-2040
Email: ccasinfo@ccgov.org
- Cecil County Animal Services
- For more information, please refer to Chapter 142. Animal Care and Control.
- Additional Requirements for Dangerous Dog – Annual Dangerous Dog Registration Fee $75.00.
Dog Licenses
| Cost | Type of License |
|---|---|
| $20.00 | Dog License - non-altered |
| $15.00 | Dog License - non-altered with registered microchip (Proof Required) |
| $10.00 | Dog License - Spayed or Neutered (Proof Required) |
| $5.00 | Dog License - Spayed or Neutered with registered microchip (Proof Required) |
| $5.00 | License Transfer Fee |
| $2.00 | Replacement dog tag if original tag lost |
| Free | Seeing Eye or other Service Dog. *Only provided through the Cecil County Finance Office, proof required. |
Senior Citizens 65+ - Only sold through the Cecil County Finance Office and Proof of Age required
| Cost |
Type of License |
|---|---|
| $18.00 | Senior Citizen - Dog License, if non-altered |
| $15.00 | Senior Citizen - Dog License, if non-altered with registered microchip (Proof Required) |
| Free | Senior Citizen - Dog License, if spayed/neutered - up to two (2) free tags per household |
| $15.00 | Senior Citizen - Dog License, if spayed/neutered - if in excess of two dogs |
| $12.00 | Senior Citizen - Dog License, if in excess of two dogs and spayed/neutered with registered microchip (Proof Required) |
Additional Requirements for Dangerous Dog – Annual Dangerous Dog Registration Fee $75.00
Kennels, Cattery and Pet Shop Licenses
Applications for Kennels, Cattery and Pet Shop Licenses must be filed beginning April 1 and before 4:30 PM on April 30th. If the application is not received by 4:30 PM on April 30, then the business owner may be subject to a fine pursuant Section 142 of the Cecil County Code if it continues to transact business as an entity subject to the licensure requirements prescribed by Section 142.
The first step in applying for a Kennel, Cattery or Pet Shop License is to review and ensure that you can comply with all the requirements outlined in Chapter 142. Animal Care and Control. Then you will need to complete the Kennel, Cattery and Pet Shop License Application as well as the required license application that you are requesting. The application for each license is listed below under Forms. There are instructions on both the Kennel, Cattery and Pet Shop License application as well as the license application. Please follow the instructions accordingly.
| Type | Application Review Fee | Annual License Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Kennel and Cattery License 1-10 Animals | $50.00 |
$100.00 |
| Commercial Kennel and Cattery License 11-20 Animals | $50.00 | $200.00 |
| Commercial Kennel and Cattery License 21-30 Animals | $50.00 | $300.00 |
| Commercial Kennel and Cattery License 31-40 Animals | $50.00 | $400.00 |
| Commercial Kennel and Cattery License 41-50 Animals | $50.00 | $500.00 |
| Commercial Kennel and Cattery License 51-75 Animals* | $50.00 | $1000.00 |
| Hobby Kennel License | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| Boarding Kennel License | $50.00 | $100.00 |
| Pet Shop License | $50.00 | $200.00 |
| IRS Defined Non-Profit Canine Rescue Kennel | $0.00 | $0.00 |
|
*Additional requirements for 51-75 dogs and cats: Permitted as a special exception in the NAR and SAR zones. Minimum Acreage - ten (10) acres, even if dogs are placed in a soundproof building. (This does not apply to a cattery) Written notification and permission from neighbors of adjoining properties. |
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Any kennel, cattery or pet shop requiring a re-inspection will be charged a Re-Inspection Fee $150.00.
Forms
- Kennel, Cattery and Pet Shop License Application
- Chapter 142 Appendix 1 - Fee Schedule
- Chapter 142 Appendix 2 - Dog License Application
- Chapter 142 Appendix 3 - Kennel Inspection Report
- Chapter 142 Appendix 4 - Commercial Kennel-Cattery License Application
- Chapter 142 Appendix 5 - Program of Veterinary Care for Dogs
- Chapter 142 Appendix 6 - Hobby Kennel License Application
- Chapter 142 Appendix 7 - Exercise Plan for Dogs
- Chapter 142 Appendix 8 - Pet Shop License Application
- Chapter 142 Appendix 9 - Pet Shop Inspection Report
- Chapter 142 Appendix 11 -Kennel, Cattery or Pet Shop Closure Application
- Chapter 142 Appendix 12 - IRS Defined Non-Profit Canine Rescue Kennel Permit Application
- Chapter 142 Appendix 13 - Program of Veterinary Care for Cats
- Chapter 142 Appendix 14 - Boarding Kennel License Application
- Chapter 142 Appendix 15 - Cattery Inspection Form
- Chapter 142 Appendix 16 - Public Nuisance Animal Complaint Form
Please see rules and regulations for the Kennel, Cattery and Pet Shop licenses in Chapter 142. Animal Care and Control.
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