The State of Delaware mandates that residents license their dogs, and in accordance with House Bill 233 with House Amendment 2 and House Amendment 3 passed by the 145th State General Assembly, New Castle County will assume responsibility of dog licensing effective January 1, 2010. 

Individual Dog License Fees

All individual dog owner licenses shall be valid through December 31 of the corresponding calendar year.  Any dog license purchased from DNREC shall remain valid through the expiration date noted, at which time a license must be purchased from the county.  Any individual dog owner with a dog license that expires on December 31, 2009, will have until March 1, 2010 to get a county license.
Exceptions from Paying the License Fee
Service dogs, dogs who have served or are currently serving the military or for a police agency are exempted from paying the license fee.  Residents of the City of Wilmington are also exempt, as the City has its own dog licensing program. 

How to Obtain a Dog License
As of January 1, 2010 residents of New Castle County can purchase a dog license online at www.nccde.org/doglicenses.  PetData, Inc. will be the vendor issuing individual dog licenses for New Castle County.

Licenses will be made available for purchase through participating retail vendors.  A full list of vendors will be made available on the county web site on January 1, 2010. 

Residents cannot purchase a license in person at the New Castle County Government Center; if they go to the Government Center they will be instructed to purchase the license online at one of our kiosks.

Lost or stolen dog licenses can also be replaced by filling out a form online at www.nccde.org/doglicenses.

Questions regarding individual dog licenses, please contact the County Executive Office at 302-395-5107.

How to Obtain a Kennel or Retail Dog Outlet License
Kennel and retail dog outlet license are issued annually and those facilities must be inspected by an animal control agent before a license can be issued. 

All existing kennels and retail dog outlets will be contact by Kent County SPCA to schedule their inspection for their license renewal. 

Newly established kennels or retail dog outlets are asked to contact Kent County SPCA for an application and to schedule an inspection.

Once an inspection has been completed and certified, the kennel or retail dog outlet is instructed to pay the licensing fee to New Castle County.

Kent County SPCA:  302-698-3006 or Toll Free 888-352-7722

Kennel License Fees:

Retail Dog Outlet License Fees:

Any kennel or retail dog outlet whose license expires on December 31, 2009, will have until March 1, 2010 to get a county license.

Question regarding payments to New Castle County, please contact the Finance Department at 302-395-5169.

Late Fees and Reinstatement Fees for Kennels or Retail Dog Outlets
Kennel or Dog Outlet licenses purchased after March 1, 2010 will be charged an additional $35.00 late fee

Kennel or Dog Outlet licenses that have been suspend will be charged an additional $50.00 reinstatement fee

Enforcement
Kent County SPCA was awarded the contract to handle enforcement of dog control for New Castle County.  All dog control concerns or questions should be directed to Kent County SPCA.

Kent County SPCA:  302-698-3006 or Toll Free 888-352-7722

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