Small Animal Boarding Establishment Permit

A small animal boarding place is where animals stay for a fee. This includes places where animals are sheltered, harbored, maintained, groomed, fed or given water. If you run such an establishment, you need a permit from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).

• Required documents: You need to submit documentation with your application. Check the Required Documents Checklist to see what you need.

• Insurance proof: You must show proof of Worker's Compensation and Disability Insurance. This includes the insurance company's name, policy number and expiration date. If you are exempt, provide Form CE-200 stamped by the Worker's Compensation Board with the Exemption Certificate Number. The certificate must list the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as the Certificate Holder. Learn more about New York State Workers' Compensation.

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

• Animal care certificate: Your place must have a supervising manager who has passed an Animal Care and Handling Course. You need to show an Animal Care and Handling Certificate or proof of course registration when you apply, and certification is required before you can open your business. Learn more about the Animal Care and Handling Course.

• Pay fines: Any fines for Health Code Violations must be paid before you can apply or renew your permit. You can pay fines in person or online. Pay ECB Fines Online.
  
  NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings
  66 John St., 10th floor
  New York, NY 10038

• Email address: You need a valid email address if applying online.

• Permit fees:

  • $70.00: If you apply between January 1 and June 30.
  • $35.00: If you apply between July 1 and December 31.
  • $39.00: Fee for Animal Care & Handling Course (certified check or money order only). Pay for the course separately from the permit application or any Health Code violations.

• 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
  • Visa

• Receipt of application:

  • If you applied online, you will get a receipt by email.
  • If you applied in person, DCWP will give you a receipt.
  • Your business cannot begin to operate until it passes an inspection.
  • The supervising manager must also get the Animal Care and Handling Certificate. Learn more about the Animal Care and Handling Course.

• Processing by Health Department:

  • The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will process your application.
  • They will contact you if they need more information or documentation.

• Scheduling an inspection:

  • After you apply, call the DOHMH Bureau of Veterinary Public Health Services at 646-364-1783 to schedule an inspection.
  • Your business must pass this inspection to get a permit.

• Starting operations:

  • If you pass the inspection and the supervising manager has the Animal Care and Handling Certificate, you may begin to operate.
  • You must post the inspection report and the Certificate where people can see them.
  • You will get your permit in the mail.

• Post the permit: Show the permit and the supervising manager's Animal Care and Handling Certificate for everyone to see.
• Permit end date: All permits end on December 31 each year. You will get a renewal notice three months before.
• Help with tech problems: Call 311 and ask for Health Permits Online if you need help with the online system.
• Business owner rights: Learn about your rights as a New York City business owner.
  NYC Business Owner's Bill of Rights

1. Gather all required documents.
2. Make electronic versions of these documents. You can upload PDF, JPG, GIF, PNG, XLS, XLSX, DOC, DOCX, VSD and TXT files.
3. Create an account with the NYC Online Licensing system. Have your credit or debit card ready for payment. You can save and return to your application later.
4. Select the permit type and fill in the requested information. Fields with an asterisk (*) are required. Upload your documents either individually or as a single file.
5. Pay with a credit or debit card to complete the application.

1. Review the requirements, gather documents and complete an Application for Permit form. The fee depends on when you apply.
   Application and Information to Apply for an Animal Care & Handling Facility (PDF)

2. File all documents and pay the fee in person at the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center.
   
   NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
   42 Broadway, Lobby
   New York, NY 10004
   Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov

3. If someone else submits the application, they need a Power of Attorney/Authority to Act form and an acceptable photo ID.

• Applications for new permits are not accepted by mail.

• Submit online: Use the NYC Online Licensing system. Register first. Pay any fines before renewing. You can pay fines online.
• First-time renewal: Use the PIN from your renewal notice. The PIN links your records to one online account. Link each permit or license record once.
• Lost renewal notice: Get your PIN by filling out an online PIN Request Form or by calling 311.
• Upload documents: If needed, download the Microsoft Silverlight application to upload documents.
  PIN Request Form

• Go to the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center. If someone else renews for you, they must have an Authority to Act form.
  Authority to Act Form (PDF)

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

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