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Kennel Licensing & Inspections

Protector of dogs, but will it last: picture of dog warden with stray dog emphasizing need to increase dog license fee

Act 119 improved conditions in commercial kennels to ensure breeding dogs who spend their entire life in a kennel have quality living conditions and the puppies sold are healthy. The health of dogs have benefited in numerous ways from larger primary enclosure sizes, solid flooring, unfettered exercise access, ventilation systems certified by engineers and routine six month veterinary examinations for all dogs.

Getting Licensed as a Kennel

The application for a new kennel license can be found below. Kennel licenses are good for one calendar year regardless of when the license is applied for.  

    • All kennel licenses expire on December 31 of each calendar year.
    • Kennel license applications must be renewed annually, and renewal  applications must be received by January 1. 

A separate license shall be required for each type of kennel and every location a kennel is kept or operated.

Kennels shall be classified by type and the fee for the license shall be determined by kennel type, the number of dogs housed, kept, harbored, boarded, sheltered, sold, given away or transferred in or by the kennel.

2024 Kennel License Renewal Forms

2024 Kennel License renewal applications have been mailed out. If you have not received your renewal application, please call 717-787-3062. Prior year applications will not be accepted for 2024.

New Kennel Licensure Forms

2024 New Kennel License App - Non-Commercial

2024 New Kennel License App - Commercial

Out of State Dealer Licensure Forms

2024 New Kennel License App - Out of State

Kennel Closings

Kennel Closing application​ must be submitted in order to close a licensed kennel. Once received, a dog warden will perform closing inspection to officially close the kennel.  

Kennel owners who desire to voluntarily close their kennel should feel free to consult with the Office your dog warden for help in re-homing kennel dogs. We are very willing to help in locating opportunities for placement of dogs.

Pennsylvania Kennel Inspections

Kennel inspections records are available online in the Kennel Inspection Database

*NOTE: you will need to enable pop-ups to view kennel inspection reports