Dog licensing requirements in Delaware moving to county control
ADVISORY: Effective January 1, 2010, residents of New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties must now license your dog(s) in your county of residence.
The State of Delaware has transferred the responsibility of dog licensing and dog control to each County beginning January 1, 2010. The Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, at the direction of the Delaware General Assembly, has worked with New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties for the past three years to affect the transfer of dog control and licensing responsibilities.
Beginning January 1, 2010, residents of each County will now purchase their licenses from their County of residence. Licenses will be valid Statewide regardless of the County of residence. City of Wilmington residents continue are exempted from having to purchase a New Castle County Dog License, but as in the past are required to purchase a City dog license.
Licenses purchased from the State of Delaware will be valid through the expiration period and upon expiration, dog owners will be required to purchase the appropriate County license.
For information about dog control and licensing:
- Residents of New Castle County
(Excluding the City of Wilmington*)
877-730-6347 or 302-395-5101
or visit NCCo's dog licensing web page.
- Residents of Kent County
888-352-7722 or
302-698-3006
or visit the Kent County SPCA's dog licensing page
- Residents of Sussex County
302-855-7380
or visit Sussex County's dog licensing web page.
* Wilmington residents are advised to call the city's Constituent Services Office, at 302-576-2489, for dog licensing information.
Delaware Dog Control at a Glance:
At the turn of the last century large, wild dog packs roamed freely throughout the state, killing livestock, spreading disease, and causing mayhem for farmers and other citizens. The problem had to be addressed.
1925 – Dog control in Delaware began and was operated by the Game and Fish Commission. Dog law enforcement was carried out by wardens and wildlife enforcement personnel.
1950’s – Enforcement duties were divided between dog wardens and game wardens.
1960 – Dog control north of the C&D Canal was transferred to the Delaware SPCA.
1970 – The Game and Fish Commission was dissolved and its duties were assumed by DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife.
1971 – Dog law enforcement was “outsourced” to the SPCA due to increased demand for dog control. This resulted in better service to the public and a significant cost savings.
1974 – License fees were tripled to $3.00 and included mandatory rabies vaccinations.
1975 – 1984 – In addition to license fees and fines, dog control program income was supplemented with funding from the General Assembly. In 1985, support was secured from the General Fund.
1999 – License fees for unaltered dogs increased to $6.00.
2006 – DNREC contracts with the Kent County SPCA (whose animal control section is now known as Delaware Animal Care & Control) for statewide dog control program (excluding the City of Wilmington).
2007 - The cost of licensing a neutered/spayed dog remains at $3.00.
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