MyCity
About
City
Health and Mental Hygiene, Department of
The NYC Health Code requires that all pet shops or businesses that sell, groom or board cats, dogs or other small animals, must have someone with a Certificate in Animal Care and Handling on duty when the business is open to the public. <br/><br/>
This course is offered up to twice a year depending on demand. It is a 12-hour class, held over two six-hour days. Participants who complete the course and are successful at the final examination are then issued a certificate in Animal Care and Handling.
The information on this page is designed to explain how to meet the New York City health code requirement that anyone who is charged with the supervision of a pet shop or business successfully complete a course in animal care and handling. It does not encompass other health-related aspects of owning and operating a pet shop, animal boarding or grooming establishment, nor does it address other requirements.
Taking the Animal Care and Handling course and receiving a certificate for successful completion of the course does not satisfy all of the regulatory requirements of other City and State Agencies. It is the business owner's responsibility to apply for all other permits, licenses, and authorizations required by other City and State Agencies.
Additional resources
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DoHMH)
Address
Health Academy
Riverside Health Center
160 W. 100th Street (at Columbus Avenue)
New York NY 10025
Health Academy
Riverside Health Center
160 W. 100th Street (at Columbus Avenue)
New York NY 10025
For further assistance, please call 311 and ask for: Health Academy
Learn which permits, licenses and regulations matter to you
Use the Step by Step tool to get an exhaustive list of requirements that matter to you.
Use the Step by Step tool