General Information

Every dog over 6 months of age must be licensed with the Town Clerk. You have 30 days to license your dog after moving to Suffield, or after obtaining the dog.

The license year runs from July 1 thru June 30, and a State imposed penalty of $1 per month is charged for dogs that are licensed after June 30.

You must  provide with your application:

• a copy of a current rabies certificate, signed by a veterinarian
• a copy of spaying or neutering certificate (if first time dog is being licensed)

All dogs six months and older must be licensed and wear a collar and tag at all times. A dog without a tag is presumed to be unlicensed and is not protected by law. A tag must not be used on any dog other than the dog described in the license bearing the corresponding number. You are liable for damage done by your dog. Owners of roaming dogs are liable to prosecution.  

Service Dogs

If you believe you have a SERVICE DOG, please review Connecticut's General Statutes § 22-345 outlining the rules for service dogs in Connecticut. Here are the key points:

• Definition of Service Dog: A service dog is defined as a dog that has been trained to perform work or tasks directly related to the person's disability. 
• License and Tag: Service dogs must be licensed and tagged by the town clerk of the town where the dog is kept.  There is no fee for this service. 

Service animals are:

• Dogs
• Any breed and any size of dog
• Trained to perform a task directly related to a person’s disability

Service animals are not:

• Required to be certified or go through a professional training program
• Required to wear a vest or other ID that indicates they’re a service dog
• Emotional support or comfort dogs, because providing emotional support or comfort is not a task related to a person’s disability

Connecticut law does not require proof that a dog is being used to help a person with disabilities in order for it and its owner to be afforded the protections allowed under the law. However, CGS § 22-345 requires a blind or deaf person or person with mobility impairments who owns or keeps a guide dog to obtain a dog license and tag from the town clerk where the dog is owned or kept. If the clerk has not previously licensed the dog, the owner must present written evidence that the dog is trained and educated and intended in fact to perform guide service for the owner. Any person who has a dog placed with him or her temporarily by a nonprofit organization that trains or educates guide dogs must obtain a dog license and tag from the town clerk where the dog is owned. The person who temporarily cares for the dog must present written evidence that the organization placed the dog with him or her.

After reviewing the laws of the State of Connecticut regarding Service Dogs, if you believe yours fits the requirements, and you have evidence of the required training, please contact the Clerk's Office to request a fee waiver.

Kennel Licenses

The CT State Department of Agriculture has developed an application for Kennel Licenses.  If you house more than 6 dogs, you must obtain a Kennel License.

Please read the current laws surrounding kennel licensure: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/rpt/2013-R-0429.htm

You may apply for a Kennel License for the Town of Suffield in person at the Town Clerk's Office, Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 4:30pm, and Friday 8:00am - 1:00pm.  We are closed on holidays and weekends.

Click the appropriate button on the left of the screen to proceed with an application for a Dog License.