The Somerville Dog Owners Group (som|dog) is pleased to announce our initiative to help the City double the number of Somerville dogs that are licensed! Cities and towns in Massachusetts issue dog licenses annually to ensure that every dog in the community is vaccinated against rabies. By doubling the number of licensed dogs, som|dog will help the City fulfill this important public health responsibility.

At the beginning of this fiscal year, Somerville had issued fewer than eight hundred dog licenses. Based on national averages, we believe that the number of dogs that live in the City is more like eight thousand.

Our goal is for the City to issue sixteen hundred 2006 dog licenses by June 30, 2006, the end of the City's fiscal year. To help us help Somerville, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen have agreed to delay the increase in dog license fees for one year. We are very enthusiastic about this opportunity for community-government partnership!

Help us meet our goal of helping the City to issue twice as many 2006 dog licenses as 2005 dog licenses! Please license your dog(s) in 2006, and, if you have already licensed your dog(s), please ask a family member, friend or neighbor to license her or his dog(s).

You may obtain, in person or by mail, a dog license from the City Clerk?s Office at the following address:

City Clerk?s Office
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 625-6600 x4100

The City Clerk?s Office provides dog licenses Monday-Wednesday, 8:30AM-4:00PM, Thursday 8:30AM-7:00PM, and Friday 8:30AM-12:00Noon.

The fee is $12.00 for a dog license, or $6.00 if the dog has been spayed or neutered. The City accepts checks or money orders only by mail, and checks, money orders or cash in person. Checks should be made payable to ?City of Somerville.?

For requests in person at the City Clerk?s Office, bring the following information with you:

• the owner or owners? name(s), address(es) and telephone number(s).
• the dog?s name, breed, color, age or date of birth, and gender (male/female).
• evidence of the dog?s most recent rabies vaccine.
• evidence that the dog has been spayed (female) or neutered (male), if applicable.

For requests by mail, the City Clerk provides a handy-dandy application form.