Anyone keeping a dog must hold a licence for that dog. You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a dog licence. Licences are renewable each year.
You must apply in person at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to obtain an initial dog licence, and provide details of yourself, the dog and where the dog will be housed (if it will not be living with you).
The appropriate fee is due at the time of licensing. The licensing fee for a spayed/neutered dog is substantially less than that for an un‑spayed/un‑neutered dog. You must present a veterinary spay/neuter certificate to take advantage of the lower rate.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will issue a licence for legal dogs only. Illegal dogs are subject to seizure under the law, and the keepers are subject to prosecution.
Obtaining an initial dog licence
If you imported your dog or adopted it from the local SPCA shelter, you must obtain an initial dog licence at the office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Botanical Gardens, Paget. You will receive a permanent licence identification tag to be displayed on the dog’s collar or harness.
If you obtained your dog from another person locally (i.e. a breeder, seller or transfer from previous owner), the animal should come with a valid licence (tag and current receipt). If the seller / breeder / transferor cannot provide you with a valid licence, then do not accept the dog.
The licence number assigned to a dog stays with the animal for its lifetime, even if the animal is moved to a new owner.
Renewing a dog licence
It is your responsibility to properly license your dog annually. As a courtesy, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will send you a renewal notice approximately four to six weeks ahead of the licence expiration. With the renewal notice, you may renew the licence in either of three ways:
- In person at any post office;
- In person at the main office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; or
- Mail the renewal notice and payment to the Department at P.O. Box HM-834, Hamilton, HM-CX
Do I need a dog licence for my dog which is merely visiting Bermuda?
You are not required to obtain a licence for an imported dog if-
- before the dog was imported, the Department was satisfied that the dog will be exported from Bermuda within 28 days its importation; and
- in fact, the dog was exported from Bermuda within that period.
Transferring dog ownership
If you sell or give away your dog, it is your responsibility to notify the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the dog’s new owner, address and contact details. You will remain responsible for outstanding licence fees until the transfer to the new owner is complete.
If you are the recipient of a new dog, ensure that the records of the Department are updated to demonstrate your ownership.
Contact Information
P.O. Box HM-834 Hamilton, Bermuda HM-CX
Department main telephone: 441-236-4201
Animal Control: 441-239-2327
Email for Animal matters: animals@gov.bm
Fax for Animal matters: 441-232-0046