Overview

Rhode Island state law requires that all dogs over the age of four months be vaccinated against rabies, and be licensed through the local city and town. Failure to license your pet may result in fines, penalties, and/or citations. The City employs enforcement officers to ensure licensing compliance. Licensing is also an important means of identification and can help you find your pet if it becomes lost. License revenues are a vital means of support to help the City promote and protect human and animal safety.

How to obtain a license - 

Ensure that your dog is currently vaccinated against rabies. Dog owners are required by law to have their dogs vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian and licensed:

a) By the time the dog is four months of age, or

b) Within 30 days after obtaining or bringing any dog over four months of age into the city of Providence and,

c) Dog owners are required to renew the dog license before it expires

d) The licensing year is April to April, as required under RI Law

The rabies vaccination must be effective through the entire licensing period. The primary or first rabies vaccination is valid for one year. The second rabies vaccination given one-year later, and subsequent (or booster) rabies vaccinations are valid for three years. If you are unsure of the duration of your dog’s vaccination, please call your veterinarian or Animal Control at 401-243-6040.

Puppies and kittens must have their first vaccination by the age of 4 months. All rabies inoculations must be given by a licensed veterinarian. One year after the initial vaccination, all dogs and cats must have a rabies booster. Following the first yearly rabies vaccine, all dogs and cats must have yearly or, three year boosters of the rabies vaccine.

After vaccinating a dog against rabies, the veterinarian will present the dog owner with a rabies certificate.

Purchasing an animal license -

Bring in person or mail to: Providence Animal Control | 200 Terminal Road Providence RI, 02905, the following requirements:

1. Animal-License-Application (English) (Spanish)
2. $6 check or money order
3. Proof of rabies vaccination

If you are sending an application by mail, please also include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Pet licenses are valid for one year. Existing licenses may be renewed by submitting a renewal by mail. If your pet’s license becomes lost, you may purchase a duplicate tag by submitting a check for $6 to our licensing office.

For further information please contact Animal Control at 401-243-6040.

PVD311Reporting Methods: Click here to see the various ways to report any concerns to PVD311.

Animal  Control
200 Terminal Road | Providence RI 02905
401.243-6040 | www.providenceri.gov/animal-control/