09/03/2026
Please review this important PSA. Unvaccinated, loose animals can result in your pet being impounded and fees up to or over $200. These ordinances are being enforced heavily by our department. Thank you for being a responsible pet owner 🐾❤️
🐾 DOG LICENSES & RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP — A REMINDER FOR WEST WARWICK PET OWNERS 🐾
The West Warwick Police Department and West Warwick Animal Shelter/Animal Control Division would like to remind residents of several important requirements and responsibilities that come with owning a dog in the Town of West Warwick.
🐶 DOG LICENSES
All dogs over six months of age kept in the Town of West Warwick are required to be licensed and registered.
📍 How to Get a Dog License
Dog licenses are available through the West Warwick Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall.
A current rabies vaccination certificate showing the expiration date is required. Rabies tags alone are not accepted as proof of vaccination.
💰 License Fees
• $8.00 — Spayed or neutered dogs
• $16.00 — Unspayed or unneutered dogs
📬 Licenses by Mail
You may also obtain your dog's license by mail. Please include:
• Your name, address, and phone number
• Your dog's name, breed, coat color, and gender
• A copy of the dog's current rabies certificate
• A check for $8.00 or $16.00, payable to the Town of West Warwick
• A self-addressed, stamped envelope
Mail all required items to:
West Warwick Town Hall
1170 Main Street
West Warwick, RI 02893
⚠️ All required information and documents must be included for the license to be properly issued.
🦮 PROPERLY CONTAINED & CONTROLLED DOGS
We also want to remind all dog owners that dogs must be properly contained or controlled at all times.
When a dog is not under the direct physical control of its owner or handler, it must be appropriately contained on the owner's property so that it cannot leave the property. Depending on the circumstances, this may include a leash, tether, tie-out, secure fence, or other appropriate means of containment.
This is particularly important because the West Warwick Police Department and Animal Control Division have recently seen a significant increase in incidents involving dogs leaving their properties and physically attacking other animals.
These incidents can result in serious injuries to other pets and animals and can create dangerous situations for their owners and members of the public who attempt to intervene.
Please do not assume that your dog will stay in the yard, will not chase another animal, or will return when called. Even a normally friendly or well-behaved dog can react unpredictably when it encounters another animal.
Taking the proper precautions to secure your dog can help prevent an attack before it happens.
🏷️ DON'T FORGET THE LICENSE TAG!
Once licensed, the owner is issued a license certificate and metallic license tag. The license tag must be attached to the dog's collar, and the dog is required to wear its collar and tag.
💉 RABIES VACCINATION REQUIRED
Dogs must be properly vaccinated against rabies in accordance with state and local requirements. A current rabies vaccination certificate must be presented before a dog license can be issued.
Failure to license a dog or comply with applicable requirements may result in fines and additional penalties under the Town of West Warwick Ordinances.
🐾 A licensed, vaccinated, and properly contained dog is a safer dog!
We ask all West Warwick dog owners to take a moment to make sure their pets are properly licensed, vaccinated, and securely contained.
Your actions can help prevent an animal from being injured — and can help protect you, your neighbors, and your own pet.
Thank you for being responsible pet owners and helping keep West Warwick safe for people and pets! ❤️🐶
West Warwick Police Department
West Warwick Animal Control Division
