Dog Licensing

Online Dog Licensing Program

** Please note as a part of this new online system only current 2022 dog license renewals prior to 4/1/2022 were migrated. If you still need to renews and want to renew online please apply above for your license(s).

If the dog's rabies has been updated this year, you can call the office at 508-697-0921 to see if the vaccination has already been recorded or to verify the date.

The Town of Bridgewater has launched a new online Dog Licensing program effective 4/4/2022

Dog License Renewals

Renewals of existing dog license(s) will be able to be completed online through this program using the Renewal page .

New Dog Licenses

You can use this program to apply online for a new dog license

Who must License?

All dogs in the Town of Bridgewater must be licensed annually once the dog reaches 6 months old. New dogs arriving to the Town of Bridgewater have 30 days to be licensed.

Please note, that Veterinarians, by law, send a dog’s rabies information to the Town Clerks Office of the community for the address they have on file for that dog.

Licensing Period

The annual licensing period runs from January 1^st to December 31^st, both dates inclusive. Late fees will be assessed beginning on March 1^st.

Licensing Fees

The annual fees for licensing your dogs are as follows:

Spayed or neutered	$15.00
Unaltered (male or female)	$20.00
Late Fee (Begins March 1)	$10.00

Fees are NOT pro-rated and the licensing dates do not change based on the date a license was purchased.

Owners with four dogs or more must apply for a kennel license (see below for additional information).

Late Fees

Applications for a license renewal received after February 28th will be assessed a late fee of $10 per dog, along with the license fee. The late fee is applicable from the 31^st day after arrival of a new dog to the Town of Bridgewater.

All dogs, ages six months and older, must be licensed each year before March 1^st, or within 30 days upon arrival to the Town. Failure to do so, may result in a $250.00 citation issued by the Animal Control Officer, in addition to the license and late fees, for each unlicensed dog. If the dog is unlicensed and does not have a current rabies vaccination the fine may result in a $350.00 citation.

No longer own a dog?

If you no longer own a dog you must notify the Town Clerk’s Office to avoid future notices and late fees. Please email townclerk@bridgewaterma.org with the owners name and address, dogs name and breed and indicate that you no longer own this dog to be removed from the active dog list.

Dog Licensing Reminders

A reminder to license your dog is sent with the annual town census in January. This acts as notification of reminder for renewals for currently registered dogs. Please note that NO other renewal notification will be mailed. Do NOT delay in returning your annual census as state law requires annual census forms to be signed and returned to the Town Clerks office within 10 days of receipt.

Dog owners are asked to keep an up to date email on file with the Town Clerk’s Office in order to receive email reminders and notifications.

Licensing Your Dog

The Town of Bridgewater has launched our online Dog Licensing program effective 4/4/2022

You are now able to apply online for your dog license

Renewals of existing dog license(s) will be able to be completed online through this program.

Licensing by Mail

A Dog Licensing Form is ONLY required if registering your dog by MAIL.

In order to license your dog (s), you will need the following:

A copy of a valid rabies certificate & certificate of spaying/neutering
Appropriate License Fee & Late fees (per dog)
Checks should be made payable to the Town of Bridgewater
Completed Dog Licensing Form
Self-Addressed .68¢ Stamped Envelope to have the tags mailed to you (you may also stop by the Town Clerks office during normal business hours to pick up tags)

Licensing in Person

You may stop by the Town Clerks Office to license you dog during normal business hours.

Rabies Certificates

Please note that you can license your dog as long as the rabies certificate that is on file in the Town Clerks Office is current at the time of licensing, you do not need to wait to have a new rabies certificate that covers the rest of the licensing year. However, it is expected that you will provided the Town Clerk’s office with an updated rabies certificate when it is available.

Kennel Licenses

Owners with five dogs or more must obtain a Kennel License with Town Clerk's Office

You are now able to apply online for your kennel license

Renewals of existing kennel licenses will be able to be completed online through this program.

Kennel Fee

Personal Kennel License - Kennel A-1 (Optional) An owner or keeper of four or fewer dogs, three months or older.	$55.00
Personal Kennel License - Kennel A-2 (Mandatory) An owner or keeper of five or more dogs, three months or older.	$75.00
Commercial Boarding or Training Kennel - Kennel B Establishment used for boarding, holding, daycare, overnight stays, or training of animals that are not the property of the owner of the establishment where such services are rendered for a fee or other consideration and generally rendered in the absence of the owner of the animal.	$150.00
Commercial Kennel - Kennel C Establishment engaged in the business of breeding animals for sale or exchange to wholesalers, brokers, or pet shops for a fee or other consideration.	$225.00
Domestic Charitable Corporation Kennel - Kennel D Facility operated, owned or maintained by a domestic charitable corporation registered with the State Dept. of Agricultural Resources or an animal welfare society or other nonprofit organization incorporated for the purpose of providing for and promoting the welfare, protection, and humane treatment of animals.	$0.00
Veterinary Kennel - Kennel E Hospital or clinic that boards dogs for reasons in addition to medical treatment and care.	$150.00