File #: Int 0784-2026    Version: * Name: An outreach and education campaign on dog licensing.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Health
On agenda: 3/26/2026
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to an outreach and education campaign on dog licensing
Sponsors: Gale A. Brewer, Shahana K. Hanif
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Summary: This bill would require the Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene to develop and implement an ongoing outreach and education campaign on licensing by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) of dogs. The Commissioner would have to develop informational materials about dog licensing requirements, causes funded by dog licensing fees, and the benefits of dog licensing and post and distribute the materials in public places. The materials would have to be provided to veterinarians and pet shops to discretionarily hand out to their clients and patrons, respectively, and to discretionarily post in their facilities. The Commissioner would also be required to publicize the information in the materials via Internet and subway advertisements and to post the materials on DOHMH’s website.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 784, 2. Int. No. 784, 3. Memorandum in Support, 4. March 26, 2026 - Stated Meeting Agenda

Int. No. 784

 

By Council Members Brewer and Hanif

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to an outreach and education campaign on dog licensing

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 8 of title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 17-820 to read as follows:

§ 17-820 Outreach and education program on dog licensing. No later than 60 days after the effective date of the local law that added this section, the commissioner shall, in consultation with any agency head the commissioner deems relevant, establish and implement an ongoing public outreach and education campaign on the department’s licensing of dogs. Such campaign shall involve, at a minimum:

1. Developing posters, flyers, and other written materials as deemed appropriate by the commissioner that set forth:

(a) Requirements in connection with the licensing of dogs under chapter 115 of the laws of 1894, as amended, sections 17-813 and 17-814, and section 161.04 of the New York city health code, and department policy, and any civil penalties or fines associated with violation of such requirements;

(b) The causes, programs, or entities that dog licensing fees collected by the department fund; and

(c) Benefits to dogs and dog owners of dog licensing by the department, including benefits pertaining to medical care for dogs, finding lost dogs, and reuniting of dogs and dog owners in case of separation during an emergency, and any other benefits afforded by the city to dog owners with licensed dogs;

2. Posting and distributing such materials in public places;

3. Providing such materials to licensed veterinarians for distribution at their discretion to their clients and to pet shops for distribution at their discretion to their patrons, as well as for posting within their facilities at their discretion;

4. Conveying the information contained in such materials via targeted media channels, including but not limited to internet and subway advertisements; and

5. Making available such materials on the department’s website in the designated citywide languages, as such term is defined in section 23-1101, and in all temporary languages identified pursuant to section 23-1105.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

TBM

LS #18965

3/4/2026 5:15 PM