Animal Shelter Pet Laws

Pet Laws

No person owning, harboring or having the control or custody of a dog shall permit such dog, whether licensed or not:

To run at large in the unincorporated areas of the Town of Brookhaven elsewhere than on the premises of such person or on the premises of another person with the consent of such other person, unless such person is engaged in hunting wild birds or animals with the aid of such dog during open seasons or unless such person shall take such dog afield for training in hunting

To be at any time on any sidewalk, street, highway, park or other public place in the unincorporated areas of the Town of Brookhaven unless fully controlled by the owner or some other person by means of a rope, leash, or other similar device.

All dogs in the Town of Brookhaven must also have a New York State dog license. In order to purchase the license, the owner must produce proof of a current rabies vaccination. Residents can contact the Adoption Center concerning stray dogs.

Residents looking for their lost pet(s) must come to the Adoption Center themselves to identify their dog, identification is the owners responsibility. Stray dogs that are rescued may have appearance tickets and fines levied against the owner. Be sure to check the Lost & Found section of our website first!

Note: Animal listings are updated periodically and may not contain all lost and found pets at the Shelter. If you have lost a pet and do not see it listed here, we strongly recommend a visit to the Animal Shelter to be sure.

STRAY ANIMALS – Complaints are answered by our Animal Control Officers. Injured animals are given first aid emergency treatment, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All stray dogs coming into the Adoption Center receive a 4 in 1 booster and a Bordatella vaccination.

DOG BITES – Shelter employees document and file reports from dog bite victims with all the pertinent information about the incident. The reports are kept on file at the Center for use by the Suffolk County Health Department, and/or the Brookhaven Town Attorney’s Office if the bite victim wants to pursue and process a Dangerous Dog Proceeding within the Courts.

DOG LICENSE – Licenses are issued at the Adoption Center as well as the Town Clerk’s Office. Fees are $2.50 for spayed/neutered dogs and $15.50 for intact male and female dogs. In order to obtain a license all dogs must have a current rabies vaccination. All dogs leaving the Adoption Center must be licensed. To obtain a license application, please call (631) 451-9121.

ADOPTION – Residents of Brookhaven are given first preference, but non-residents may also adopt animals currently available. All pets are vaccinated, spayed/neutered, licensed and given a rabies vaccination before leaving the shelter. Adopters must leave a $40.00 bond for puppies and a $35 bond for kittens not old enough to be altered at the time of adoption. Be sure to visit our Pets for Adoption.

LOST PET – If you have lost your pet, check the Lost & Found section of our website first. You must come to the Adoption Center to identify it. Shelter staff cannot identify your pet, only you can do that. If the animal has been injured, there may be an outstanding bill, which must be paid prior to redeeming your pet. If your dog is licensed, when you come to the Adoption Center to redeem your pet, bring proof of licensing and a current rabies vaccination. Proof of a current rabies vaccination is the physical paper certificate, not the tag.