Pet Licenses

The Borough of Morris Plains requires all dogs and cats over the age of seven months to have rabies shots and to be licensed with the Town. Failure to do so may result in a summons.

To obtain a license for your pet, you can download an application below. The completed application should then be submitted to the Borough Clerk’s Office.  You may also contact the Clerk’s Office during business hours ( 8:30am – 4:30pm) by calling (973) 538-2224. 

Dog and Cat licenses expire on January 31 of each year. 

If your dog or cat is deceased, has changed ownership, or you no longer reside in Morris Plains please notify the Borough Clerk’s Office at 973-538-2224.

For information about livestock in the Borough, please see the related ordinance here.

Initial Pet License Application

For new and unregistered pets, please complete the application and then submit check to the Borough Clerk’s Office.

• Download the Dog / Cat License Application (PDF) or Complete the Online Application and Certificate Upload
• A completed application requires
  • Application
  • Valid Rabies Certificate
  • Spay/neuter certification(s), if applicable (see below)
  • Appropriate licensing fee (see below) via Check made payable to “Borough of Morris Plains” and mailed or dropped off at the Borough Clerk’s Office at 531 Speedwell Avenue Morris Plains, NJ 07950
• After the Clerk’s Office reviews your application, rabies certificate, and payment, your new pet license will be sent to you by mail.

Dog / Cat License Fees

• Spayed/neutered pets (written proof required first time license is issued): $16.00 annual license fee
• Not spayed / not neutered pets: $19.00 annual license fee

Rabies Inoculation Requirement

Be sure to check the rabies information and neuter status of your pet prior to applying.  If there have been any changes since the last registration, such as an updated rabies vaccine, be sure to enclose required veterinarian certificates which will be returned.

Each licensing year, rabies certification must be valid through October 31.

Look for information in News & Announcements about our annual FREE Rabies Clinic held in the Borough. You may also visit other vaccination clinics in Morris County or your veterinarian’s office for your pet’s rabies vaccine.

New Pets & New Residents

• Newly acquired dogs and cats must be licensed within ten (10) days of acquisition.
• Dogs and cats must be licensed within ten (10) days of reaching licensing age.
• Any new resident shall acquire a license within ten (10) days of establishing residence in the Town
• License must be issued in the name of an adult member of the household.

Guide Dog Exception

Seeing Eye dogs shall be licensed in the same manner as other dogs. In these cases, the fees are waived.