Don't Wait: Renew Hillsborough Pet Licenses Before You Get A Late Fee

Attention Hillsborough residents: If you don’t renew your pet license by March 2, you will get a late fee.

Did you know that according to New Jersey law, all cat and dog licenses must be renewed every year? Renewing your pet’s license serves as a reminder to vaccinate and can help a lost dog or cat find its way home.

The following information is provided the Township of Hillsborough:

In New Jersey, dogs must be licensed annually, once they reach 7 months of age. It is very important to license your dog for several reasons. First, the licensing renewal every year reminds dog owners to make sure their pets have up to date rabies vaccinations. This is very important since New Jersey now has the rabies virus present in wild mammals. Any contact between a dog and wild mammals, including bats, could put your dog at risk of contracting rabies. Rabies is fatal and can be passed on to humans.

Secondly, if your dog gets loose, the quickest way home is with a license tag. The number on the tag can be called in to the Township or to the Animal Control Officer, and your dog can get home quickly and safely.

Thirdly, should your dog be picked up by someone, they are assured that your dog has a rabies vaccine if the license is current. This makes them more willing to handle your dog and keep it safe for you. It also shows that you are a responsible pet owner.

Lastly, should your dog be involved in a bite to a human, or a fight with another dog, the license information can be readily given to the victim so that they are sure that your dog has a rabies vaccination. This is very important information, and reassuring to anyone involved in a bite incident.

In order to license your dog, you must have a rabies vaccine that is current for at least 10 months of the licensing year- through October 31, a New Jersey State requirement. This is to prevent the mistake of forgetting to update rabies shots before the year end.

Once your dog is licensed for the first time in Hillsborough, you will receive a renewal form in the mail for the subsequent year’s license. For new licenses and renewals, you must submit proof of rabies vaccination (current through Oct. 31), and neutering (unless your dog is not neutered).

First Time Dog License

The first time you license your dog, you will need to fill out the “Municipal Animal License New Dog Application”. A link to this form is be/low and can also be found by going to the Township’s website, clicking on eGov in the center of the page, then clicking on “Form Center”, and scrolling down to Health Department, where you will see “New Dog Application”. Print the form, fill it out and send it to: Hillsborough Township Animal Licensing, 379 South Branch Rd., Hillsborough, NJ 08844, along with the payment and proof of rabies vaccination and neutering.

License Renewals

For license renewals, you will receive a renewal form in the mail with instructions to send it in, or you can do the license renewal online at www.hillsborough-nj.org, eGov, online payments, and dog license.

If you have licensed your dog in the past, and then forgot to license for a period of time, you must speak with the Hillsborough Township Finance Office to relicense for the current year because they must adjust the information already in the computer system. Please call them at: 908-369-8672.

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