Any Suffolk County resident, older than 18, who is convicted of animal abuse is required to register their name, address and photo with the registry. Individuals on the list pay an annual fee of $50. The law creating the registry, which was passed in 2010, was the first of its kind in the nation. Each person required to register with Suffolk County shall remain on this registry for 10 years and if registered person is convicted of subsequent animal abuse crimes shall remain on the registry for 20 years following their most recent conviction.

Persons registered with the Animal Abuse Registry shall be prohibited from possessing an animal while they remain on the registry.