Rabies Laws in New York City, New York (2026)
Verification incomplete: this city guide is excluded from search indexing. Some local fees, contacts, and legal details still need confirmation. Check the official sources before relying on them.
New York City is rabies-vector dense by US standards — raccoons in all five boroughs and bats in older buildings drive most exposures. The NYC Health Code is stricter than New York State on dog vaccination timing and bite reporting.
- County
- Five Boroughs (New York, Kings, Queens, Bronx, Richmond)
- Population
- ~8,335,000
- Animal control
- (646) 364-1799
- Report a bite within
- 24 hours
What New York City Requires
Title 24, Article 161 of the New York City Health Code requires rabies vaccination for every dog over 4 months old and obligates all New York City residents to report any animal bite to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).
Ordinance citation
NYC Health Code Article 11 (rabies vaccination) and Article 161 (animal control)
Read the sourceNew York City Licensing & Vaccination
Required species & age
Dogs, Cats — first rabies vaccination by 4 months of age.
NYC requires dogs and cats to receive their first rabies vaccination by 4 months of age, subject to Health Code exemptions.
Annual licensing fee
- Dog — spayed/neutered
- $8.50 per year (spayed or neutered)
- Dog — intact
- $34 per year when older than 4 months (not spayed or neutered)
- Cat
- NYC does not require a cat license, but dogs and cats age 4 months or older must have current rabies vaccination.
Late fees apply if the license lapses; license must be renewed every year.
Reporting a Bite in New York City
Animal bites must be reported within 24 hours.
Primary
(646) 364-1799
NYC DOHMH Bureau of Communicable Disease – Animal Bite Unit
Backup
311
NYC 311 (24/7 routing to public health)
After hours
After business hours, call 311 or go directly to an emergency department. NYC DOHMH animal-bite intake operates Monday–Friday business hours.
10-Day Quarantine & Observation
In New York, biting dogs, cats, and ferrets must be observed for 10 days following the bite. Owned pets that bite a person are typically confined at home for the 10-day observation period; stray or unowned biting animals are held at ACC pending DOHMH review.
Facility
NYC Animal Care Centers (ACC)
Multiple borough locations — see acc.nyc
PEP-Equipped Hospitals in New York City
Major facilities known to handle rabies PEP. Always call ahead to confirm rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) availability.
NewYork-Presbyterian / Weill Cornell Emergency Department
Tier-1 trauma center — Manhattan East Side.
Mount Sinai Hospital Emergency Department
Upper East Side — accepts walk-in PEP evaluation.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
Public hospital — handles PEP regardless of insurance.
NYC DOHMH — Public Health Office
Coordinates rabies investigations across the five boroughs.
Key Contacts
NYC DOHMH Animal Bite Unit
NYC 311 (24/7)
NYC Animal Care Centers (ACC)
New York City FAQs
My dog bit a delivery worker in Brooklyn — who do I call first?+
Report the bite through NYC Health or call 311. The city requires animal bites to be reported within 24 hours. Have the animal's vaccination and owner information ready so the Health Department can coordinate follow-up and observation when appropriate.
I woke up with a bat in my bedroom in Manhattan. What do I do?+
Do not release the bat. If a bat is found in a room where someone was sleeping, NYC DOHMH treats it as a possible rabies exposure even without a visible bite. Confine the bat in a closed room, call 311 or DOHMH, and go to the nearest emergency department to begin PEP evaluation. DOHMH may test the bat if it can be captured safely.
Do I need to vaccinate my indoor-only cat in NYC?+
Yes. NYC requires dogs and cats age 4 months or older to have current rabies vaccination, including indoor cats, subject to Health Code exemptions. Ask a veterinarian about the appropriate product schedule.
Is the 10-day quarantine done at my home or at a shelter?+
For owned dogs and cats currently vaccinated against rabies, NYC DOHMH typically allows the 10-day observation period to be completed at home. Unvaccinated or stray biting animals are usually held at NYC Animal Care Centers pending DOHMH review.
Can I get PEP at any NYC emergency room?+
Rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin (HRIG) availability is not published reliably by hospitals and changes often. NYC Health + Hospitals public facilities (Bellevue, Elmhurst, Kings County, Jacobi, Lincoln) treat regardless of insurance and are a reasonable place to start. Call ahead to confirm vaccine and HRIG are on site before traveling.
Full New York rabies law
New York City sits inside New York, which sets the underlying vaccination, quarantine, and reporting framework. Vaccinate by 4 months; booster at 12 months; thereafter per vaccine label (typically every 3 years).
Read the complete New York guideReferences
- NYC Health — Dog license fees — New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
- NYC Health Code – Article 161 (Animals) — New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
- NYC DOHMH – Rabies — New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
- NYC Animal Care Centers (ACC) — NYC Animal Care Centers
Last updated: May 11, 2026
Disclaimer
This page is an educational summary, not legal or medical advice. Rabies laws and animal-control procedures change. Verify current requirements with New York City's animal services, your local health department, or a licensed veterinarian. For an active exposure, seek medical care immediately — do not wait.