Sale of Small Animals (Pet Shops)

Pet shops that sell animals need a permit from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). Starting December 15, 2024, pet shops cannot sell dogs or cats.

The Pet Shop (Class P) permit lets you sell fish or small animals. This does not include cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs or any animals banned in Article 161 of the NYC Health Code.

For more details about the laws for pet shops in New York City, check the Additional Resources below.

• Check the required documents: see which documents you need to send with your application.
  Required Documents Checklist

• Insurance needs: you need Workers' Compensation and Disability Insurance. Show proof of coverage when you apply. If you are exempt, provide a Certificate of Attestation of Exemption (form CE-200).
  New York State Workers' Compensation

• The Certificate Holder on all insurance papers must be listed as:
  NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  125 Worth St., CN17A
  New York, NY 10013

• Sales tax certificate: show proof of a Certificate of Authority to Collect Sales Tax. The address on the Certificate must match your application address.
  Learn more about Sales Tax Vendor Registration (Certificate of Authority).

• Animal Care and Handling Certificate: all establishments selling small animals as pets must have a supervising manager who has passed an Animal Care and Handling Course. You need this certificate or proof of course registration when you apply, and certification is required before opening the business.
  Learn more about the Animal Care and Handling Course.

• Pay fines: pay all fines for Health Code Violations before applying or renewing your permit. You can pay in person or online.
  Pay ECB Fines Online

• NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings
  66 John St., 10th floor
  New York, NY 10038

• Permit fees:

  • For applications filed between January 1 and June 30, the fee is $70.00.
  • For applications filed between July 1 and December 31, the fee is $105.00. This fee includes the second half of the year and the next 12 months.

• Accepted payment methods:

  • Personal check (in person only)
  • Certified check (in person only)
  • Government check (in person only)
  • Money order (in person only)
  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Mastercard (debit or credit)
  • Visa

• Receipt of application: If you applied online, you will get a receipt by email. If you applied in person, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will give you a receipt. They will tell you if there are any deficiencies with your application that must be corrected. Your business may not operate until it has passed a pre-permit inspection and received explicit approval to operate from the DCWP.

• Pre-permit inspection: After you submit your complete application, you must call the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Bureau of Veterinary Public Health Services (VPHS) at 646-364-1783 to schedule an inspection. If your shop is newly renovated, call to schedule an inspection when construction is almost done and all plumbing fixtures are installed.

• Approval to operate: Once you pass the pre-permit inspection and VPHS approves your inspection results and application package, you will be told when you can start offering small animal handling services to the public.

• Receiving your permit: You will get your actual permit in the mail. You must post both the permit and the Animal Care & Handling Certificate for public view.

• All Class P pet shop permits expire on December 31 each year.
• You will get a renewal notice in the mail three months before the expiration date.
• You must post the establishment's permit and the supervising manager's Animal Care and Handling Certificate for everyone to see.
• Read the NYC Health Code to learn about the requirements for running a pet shop in New York City. Click on the link below and select Article 161. NYC Health Code
• For help with technical problems when using the online licensing system, call 311 and ask for Health Permits Online.
• Read about your rights as a New York City business owner. NYC Business Owner's Bill of Rights

• Create an online permit account: you need a NYC ID to create a new online permit account or renew your current permit. If you already have an account with the NYC Health Department online permit portal, use the email address from that account.

• Select permit type: choose the type of permit and enter the requested information. Fields with an asterisk (*) are required. Upload all supporting documents. They can be uploaded individually or as a single file.

• Gather supporting documents: make electronic versions of each document for upload.

• Submit required documentation: submit all required documents with your application. You can save partially completed applications and return later.

• Power of attorney: if someone else submits the application, a completed Power of Attorney/Authority to Act form is needed. The person must also show acceptable photo ID.
  Authority to Act Form (PDF)

• Payment: payment is required at the time of application.

Remember to use your NYCID to create a new online account.

• Complete application form: fill out the standard application form and gather the required documents.
  Application and Information to Apply for an Animal Care & Handling Facility (PDF)

• Pay the fee: the fee depends on when you apply. Before July 31, the fee is $70. From July 1- December 31, the fee is $105 and your permit will be paid through the next full year.

• Submit application: submit the completed application, required documents and fee in person at the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center.

• NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
  42 Broadway, Lobby
  New York, NY 10004
  onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov

• Power of Attorney: if someone else submits the application, a completed Power of Attorney/Authority to Act form is needed. The person must also show acceptable photo ID.
  Authority to Act Form (PDF)

• Applications for new permits are not accepted by mail.

• Power of Attorney/Authority to Act form: if someone other than the business owner will be submitting the application, a completed Power of Attorney/Authority to Act form is required. The person submitting the application on behalf of the business owner must also show a form of acceptable photo identification. Authority to Act Form (PDF)
• Renewals may be submitted online via the NYC Online Licensing system. Registration is required. You will not be permitted to renew a permit if you have outstanding fines. You can pay fines online before renewing.
• Personal Identification Number (PIN): to renew online for the first time, you will need the PIN found on your Renewal Notice. You can also link multiple records to one single online account by using the PIN found on each individual renewal application.
• If you do not have access to your Renewal Notice, you may obtain your PIN(s) by completing an online PIN Request Form or by calling 311. PIN Request Form

• You may renew your permit in person at the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center. If you send someone to renew for you, they must present an Authority to Act on your behalf. Authority to Act Form (PDF)

NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
Licensing Center
42 Broadway, Lobby
New York, NY 10004

• Follow the instructions on your renewal notice to renew by mail.