Dog and Kennel Licenses
Dog Licenses
According to Massachusetts General Laws, the owner or keeper of a dog over the age of 6 months shall obtain a license for the dog from the Town Clerk. The owner of the dog needs to provide the Town Clerk with a veterinary certification that the dog was vaccinated for rabies. If the dog has not been registered in Hanover prior to this year or is newly altered, a copy of the certificate or receipt from the veterinarian who spayed or neutered the dog must also be included. Please refer to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 136A - 174E for more details regarding these requirements.
Fees per Dog
- Spayed/Neutered, one year license (rabies vaccination expires in 2025 or 2026) - $10
- Spayed/Neutered, three year license (only for dogs with a rabies vaccination good through 2027 or 2028) - $20
- Not Spayed/Not Neutered, one year license (rabies vaccination expires in 2025 or 2026) - $15
- Not Spayed/Not Neutered, three year license (only for dogs with a rabies vaccination good through 2027 or 2028) - $35
- Late fee after March 31st - $10
- Owner over age 70 - no charge
Ways to License Your Dog
There are several easy ways to license your dog.
Online
Online Licensing Login, Registration, and Renewal Information
Paper Application
Residents may also fill out our hard copy Dog License Application. This is the same application that was included in the census mailing this year. Completed forms may be dropped in the front door mail slot or mailed in with your payment, proof of current rabies vaccination, and proof of spaying or neutering (if you have not submitted that information previously) to the Town Clerk’s Office, 550 Hanover Street, Hanover, MA 02339. Your tag will be mailed back to you.
Additional Information
Items you will need to complete this transaction either online, by mail, or via the front door mail slot to Town Hall:
- License fee, including late fee from April 1st through December 31st.
- Copy of current rabies certificate. If you have previously recorded the existing vaccine record with us, it will be available in the system, and another copy is not necessary.
- Copy of spaying/neutering certificate (if applicable) and if the dog is not yet registered in Hanover. Once we have the information in the system, you don't need to bring this certificate again.
Regardless of whether you are licensing by mail, dropbox, or online, we will mail the tag and license to you for no additional charge.
Kennel Licenses
The 2017 Annual Town Meeting changed how kennel fees are charged in Hanover. The new fees are as follows, regardless of the age of the kennel owner:
- Personal Kennel - $50 per year
- Commercial Breeder's Kennel - $75 per year
- Commercial Boarding or Training Kennel - $100 per year
The licensing period is January 1st through March 31st, as it is for individual dogs; the late fee begins April 1st and is $10. 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 a Kennel License Application, payment, review process, and 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. A kennel with multiple functions will be charged a higher fee. If you have specific questions about your kennel and related fees, feel free to contact the Town Clerk's Office.