Overview
Animal shelters, rescue organizations and other non-profit entities that offer animal adoptions in New York are required to register with the Department, per legislation signed in August 2017.
Effective December 15, 2025 Animal shelters, rescue organizations and other non-profit entities will be required to be licensed with the Department. Shelters and rescues will be subject to unannounced inspections to ensure compliance with Article 26-C. This is part of an effort to increase standards of care for animals in shelters throughout the state.
Get Registered
To register, entities should fill out the application form below and submit it to the Department.
After the registration application is approved, the entity will then receive a Pet Shelter and Rescue Dealer Registration Number. This number should be prominently displayed on all organization websites, publications, and advertisements made to the public. This lets consumers know that the entity is registered with the Department and has been determined to have legitimate not-for-profit status.
Please note that effective December 15, 2025 entities will need to be licensed with the department. Please see below for information on how to become licensed or how to transition from a registration to a license.
Get Licensed
All shelters and rescues currently registered must complete an application for licensing and submit it by December 15th, 2025 to be eligible to continue operations. For currently registered shelters no payment is required for the licensing application until the renewal period. New applicants must complete an application for licensing and include payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please see the document below for a list of frequently asked questions and their answers.
Spay/Neuter Deposits
Any dog or cat from being released for adoption from any pound, shelter, or animal rescue organization must be spayed or neutered unless the person adopting the animal has a written agreement to them spayed or neutered within thirty days from the adoption date, or within thirty days of the dog or cat reaching six months of age. The adopter must deposit $35.00 with the pound, shelter, or animal rescue organization to be remitted to the Department if they fail to spay or neuter the animal within ninety of its adoption or within sixty days after the animal has reached six months of age.
Unclaimed deposits must be remitted to the Department using the form below and returned to the address on the form.
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Spay/Neuter Form
Use this document to remit unclaimed deposits to the Department's Animal Population Control Fund.
Download
Find a Rescue or Shelter
Guidance and Best Practices
Shelter Rescues must be in compliance with Article 26-C effective December 15, 2025. The resources below may help shelter rescues understand and comply with the requirements. Please visit the New York State Animal Protection Federation Education Fund (NYSAPF) Website for more information regarding consultations to help prepare for the Shelter Standards Law.
The New York State Companion Animal Capital Projects Fund
The Department administers New York State's Companion Animal Capital Fund, the first state-funded program in the nation to support animal shelter improvement projects. The program provides grants to eligible municipal and incorporated not-for-profit pounds, shelters, humane societies, and rescue facilities to offset the costs associated with capital projects.
Now in it's seventh round, the Department invites eligible municipal and incorporated not-for-profit pounds, shelters, humane societies, and rescue facilities to submit proposals for funding consideration from the program. Learn more about how to apply here.
Complaints
To report unregistered shelter rescues please visit the Department's complaint page.