Licensing
Licenses & Temporary ID Tags
Licenses and ID tags are a forms of identification that can help in reuniting you with your pet companion should they ever stray or get lost. Identification saves lives! In most cases when possible, animals found by animal service officers will be returned home rather than taken to the Animal Center.
Licenses
All residence of Iowa City with dogs and cats over the age of four months are required to have an Iowa City animal license. To obtain a license for your animal you must have proof of a current rabies vaccination from a veterinarian.
Licenses may be obtained:
- By emailing your information to: icanimalcenter@iowa-city.org Be sure to include your phone number so we can process the license then call for payment. Your receipt and/or tag will be mailed to you.
- In person, at the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center located at:
3910 Napoleon Lane
Iowa City, IA 52240 - Via the phone with a credit card, by calling Animal Services at 319-356-5295 (licenses by phone will require a faxed or emailed rabies certificate)
- Via mail, by mailing the rabies certificate and fee to:
Animal Services
3910 Napoleon Lane
Iowa City, IA 52240
Temporary ID Tags
Temporary ID tags are for animals too young for a rabies vaccination and regular license.
License & ID Tag Fees
Fees for a license and ID tag are as follows:
- $5 for puppies and kittens under four months of age
- $10 for animals between 4 months and 12 months
- $10 per year for all spayed and neutered dogs and cats
- $40 per year for all dogs and cats that are not spayed or neutered
Please note that:
- Delinquent fee equal to the cost of the license will be charged 30 days after a license expires
- Licenses expire in conjunction with the rabies vaccination
- Multiples year licenses may be obtained if the citizen provides a multi-year rabies vaccination certificate
Permit Requirements
Certain animal uses require a special permit and inspection of your property by an Animal Service officer. Permit applications must be filed prior to the establishment of use.
Permit Applications & Fees
| Type of Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Animal Act or Exhibition | $50 |
| Breeder (two or more unaltered dogs or cats of breeding age in home) | $100 |
| Commercial Dog or Cat Kennel | $300 |
| Cat Group Housing (6 or more cats) | $50 |
| Circus | $50 |
| Groomer | $50 |
| Dog Group Housing (4 or more dogs) | $50 |
| Dog or Cat Show | $50 |
| Motion Picture, Television or Theatrical | $50 |
| Major Pet Shop | $300 |
| Minor Pet Shop | $100 |
| Restricted Animal (Call for animal types) | $50 |
| Rodeo | $50 |
| Urban Chicken (Initial 3 year) - No roosters allowed | $100 |
| Urban Chicken (Renewal) | $75 |
You can download the Permit Application here:
Permit Application
The completed form and payment should be submitted to the Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center.