Rabies Laws in New York City, New York (2026)
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
- (212) 676-2483
- 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 §161.05 (Animal bites) and §161.07 (Rabies vaccination of dogs)
Read the sourceNew York City Licensing & Vaccination
Required species & age
Dogs — first rabies vaccination by 4 months of age.
NYC requires the first rabies vaccination by 4 months of age. While cats are not mandated by city ordinance, NYC DOHMH and ACC Centers strongly recommend vaccinating all owned cats.
Annual licensing fee
- Dog — spayed/neutered
- $8.50 / year (spayed or neutered)
- Dog — intact
- $34 / year (intact)
- Cat
- Cats are not required to be licensed by the city, but vaccination is strongly recommended.
- Senior discount
- Reduced fee available for owners age 65+ with a spayed/neutered dog.
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
(212) 676-2483
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.
Confirmed rabies cases in Five Boroughs (New York, Kings, Queens, Bronx, Richmond) (2024)
25 confirmed animal rabies cases reported in 2024.
By species
raccoon
16
bat
6
skunk
2
cat
1
Raccoons remain NYC's primary terrestrial reservoir. Bat exposures concentrate in May–September. Confirmed cases in domestic animals are rare but happen most years.
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
(212) 788-4000
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?+
Call the NYC DOHMH Animal Bite Unit at (212) 676-2483 during business hours, or dial 311. The bite must be reported within 24 hours under NYC Health Code §161.05. Have your dog's rabies vaccination certificate ready — DOHMH will confirm the 10-day home observation arrangement if the dog is up-to-date.
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?+
NYC does not legally require cat vaccination, but bats enter NYC apartments through window AC units and roof access points every year. NYC DOHMH and NYC ACC strongly recommend rabies vaccination for all cats, indoor or not.
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?+
Most major NYC hospitals stock rabies vaccine; rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) availability is more variable. NYC Health + Hospitals public facilities (Bellevue, Elmhurst, Kings County, Jacobi, Lincoln) maintain PEP supplies and treat regardless of insurance. Call ahead to confirm HRIG is 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 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 reviewed: 2026-05-11
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.