Iowa City Pet Regulations

Why do we have animal control laws?

Laws protect people.  They also protect pets.  Though many people feel a pet is an individual’s right, some animals do cause problems and have to be regulated.  The laws described here provide better health and safety for the public.  We hope you will read them and understand why there are certain laws which you and your pet must obey.  Copies of the complete code are available for inspection at the City Clerk’s office.

Rabies

All dogs, cats, and ferrets four months and older, must be vaccinated against rabies.  Rabies can be transmitted to humans and is fatal unless a series of anti-rabies shots are taken.  Therefore, the law protects both humans and pets from this disease.  Save your rabies certificate, it will come in handy.

Leash Law

All pets, regardless of age, must be leashed at all times unless confined on or within the owner’s property.  Pets must not be tied and left unattended when off the owner’s property.  Even unleashed pets accompanied by the owner while jogging, cycling, visiting parks, etc., violate city regulations.

If the pet strays, it can be impounded and its owner or keeper can be ticketed for having an “animal at large.”  The pet that is impounded is not being punished....it is being protected.

Licenses

All pet animals over the age of four months, and dogs and cats under the age of four months that are no longer nursing from their mother, are required to be licensed or have a City ID tag.

To obtain a city license for pets over the age of four months, proof must be presented, in the form of a current rabies certificate, to the animal shelter.

The owner of a dog or cat less than four months of age which is no longer with its dam, but which is too young to be immunized, shall be issued a temporary ID tag.  Temporary ID tags will automatically expire five months from the date of birth of the dog or cat.

License Fees

$1            for puppies and kittens under four months of age.

$5            per year for all neutered male and spayed female animals.

$30          per year for all animals of either sex that have not been altered.  ($15 of unaltering fee goes to spay and neuter shelter animals.)

Senior citizens age 60 and over will receive a 50% discount on licensing fees.  Owners with animals trained to assist them with their disabilities shall have the license fee waived.

30 days following the expiration of a license a delinquent fee equal to the cost of the license will be charged in addition to the annual license fee to any pet owner found in violation of the Iowa City licensing ordinance.

All licenses expire at the same time as the rabies vaccination unless otherwise stated.

All pets, including cats, must wear the license tag at all times the animal is off the owner’s property.

The license tag serves a dual purpose should your pet stray from home:

It provides evidence the pet has been vaccinated against rabies.

It helps animal control officers and private citizens who might find your pet return it to its owner....YOU.

Animal centers are full of animals with no identification because "my pet never leaves the house."  A license tag is a call home for a pet.

Enforcement

Animal Control Officers are authorized to issue court summonses and to impound animals running at large.  The reclaim fees for impounded animals (within a 12 month period):

If the owner fails to reclaim the pet within 24 hours after impoundment, board fees will be assessed at the rate of $10.00 per day for dogs and $10.00 per day for cats.  Proof of current rabies vaccination and City license must be shown or the owner will be charged for these.  After four days, the owner forfeits all rights to the animal, which is then put up for adoption or euthanized.

In addition, every citizen has the right to pick up a stray pet and have it impounded by the Animal Control Officers.  An eye witness may sign a complaint and the Animal Control Officer will issue a citation to the pet owner.  A citation requires a court appearance with the punishment and fine being determined by the judge upon conviction.

Nuisance animals may be reported 24 hours a day by calling 356-5295 ext.  0.

Violations

Other violations include, but are not limited to:

• Abandoning a pet within the City.
• Permitting the pet to make excessive noise that disturbs other persons in the area.
• Tying a pet to a utility pole, parking meter, building, fence, tree or other objects on public or private property without the consent of the owner.
• Leaving a pet impounded, confined, or tied in a place where it lacks adequate food, water, or shelter.
• Keeping animals in a manner where solid waste accumulations become a detriment to the animal’s health.
• Failing to dispose of solid waste by immediate removal while walking a pet on public or private property.
• Permitting a pet to molest any person on either public or private property.
• Trapping or attempting to trap any animal with other than a humane, live trap.
• Disposing of, giving away, or offering for sale any live animal upon any public property.
• Keeping a female pet in season, except when housed in a building or area which is completely enclosed by a fence 60" high, or when housed in a licensed boarding kennel or veterinarian hospital.

Animal Bites

All animal bites are required to be reported to the Animal Center.  The Animal Control Officers will follow-up with the proper investigation.