City of Racine Pet and Animal Information

	Pet Licensing FAQ's Pet License Application Keeping Animals Banned by the City Information Keeping Animals Banned by the City Application Pet Fancier's Permit FAQ's Pet Fancier application Animal and Rabies Control Program Spanish Pet Licensing Pamphlet

Pet Licensing FAQ's

1. Which Pets Need to be Licensed?
2. Why should your pet be licensed?
3. How do I License My Pet?
4. What is the Cost of Licensing my Pets?
5. How many pets are allowed?
6. Can my pet run at large?
7. What is the rule on barking or crying pets?

1. Which Pets Need to be Licensed?

All domesticated animals (dogs, cats, potbellied pigs and ferrets) are required by law to be vaccinated and licensed.

A license must be purchased EACH YEAR.  All animal licenses expire December 31st each year.  You must purchase a license before January 31st or a late fee is added to the cost.

2. Why should your pet be licensed?

• Sec. 10-36 of the Racine Municipal Code requires that domesticated animals be licensed (dogs, cats, potbellied pigs and ferrets).
• To identify your pet in the event it is lost.
• To keep official records of your pet's rabies vaccinations.
• Fees collected help support animal control services provided by Countryside Humane Society.

3. How do I License My Pet?

1. You can either fill out an application online, print it and bring it along with a current copy of your pet's rabies vaccination and your payment to the Environmental Health Office in City Hall Room 1 or
   
2. You can fill out an applicationonline, print it and mail it along with a current rabies certificate, payment and a self addressed stamped envelope to:
   
   
   Environmental Health Department
   City Hall, Room 1
   730 Washington Ave.
   Racine, WI 53403

4. What is the Cost of Licensing my Pets?

Make Checks Payable to the City of Racine

Dogs and Cats
Neutered - $10.00
Un-neutered - $35.00

Special Rate for Senior Citizens (65 yrs. or older) only if dog or cat is neutered - $5.00

Potbellied Pigs and Ferrets
Must be Neutered - $10.00

Late Fee
After January 31st a late fee of $10.00 per license will be assessed.

A person is allowed to keep three (3) domesticated animals in a single dwelling unit and two (2) domesticated animals in each unit of a multiple-family unit. If you have more than three (3) Animals you Need a Pet Fancier's Permit

6. Can my pet run at large?
Pets may only run on the premises of the owner, unless it is on a leash held by a person physically able to control the domesticated animal.

7. What is the rule on barking or crying pets?
It is unlawful for a person to knowingly keep any dog which habitually barks, howls or yelps, or any cat which habitually cries or howls to the great discomfort of the peace and quiet of the neighborhood. If you have a problem with someone's pet barking or crying, you can fill out an animal nuisance complaint form by clicking here.

Keeping Animals Banned by the City Information

A special permit is available for keeping of animals otherwise banned by the city.  This permit will be issued to permit circus performances, living nativity, pony ride or other exhibitions or entertainment events.  A fee of $5.00 per animal, up to a maximum of $50.00 shall be paid to the city for the issuance of such a permit”  See Section 10-42 under City of Racine municipal codes for further explanation.

Keeping Animals Banned by the City Application

Pet Fancier's Permit FAQ's

1. Why would I need to get a Pet Fancier's Permit?
2. How Do I Apply?
3. How Long Is The Permit Good For?
4. Who do I call if I have Questions?
5. What does Sec. 10-62 (Number of domesticated animals limited) read?

1. Why would I need to get a Pet Fancier's Permit?

City code allows you to have three (3) animals per single family dwelling without the need for a special permit.  Multiple-family units are only allowed two (2) animals per unit.

If you have more than three animals in a single family dwelling, you need to obtain a Pet Fancier's Permit.  This permit will allow you to keep up to seven (7) animals (dogs, cats, ferrets, potbellied pigs or any mixture thereof).  Residents of a multiple-family unit may not obtain a Pet Fancier's Permit.

It's Easy!

• First make sure all of your animals have current rabies vaccinations and city licenses.
• Fill out a Pet Fancier application online and bring it with you along with copies of the licenses to the Environmental Health Division, 730 Washington Avenue, Room 1, and fill out an application.
• Pay the $25 Pet Fancier application fee in the Environmental Health Office. You will be given a receipt and you will receive a copy of your Pet FAncier's Permit and be in compliance with City Code.

The permit must be renewed yearly as long as you have over three (3) animals in your household.   The permit expires January 31^st each year. Apply early and avoid late fees!

Pet Fancier permit holders will be sent a renewal reminder prior to the expiration date each year. If you no longer have more than 3 animals simply notify the Health Department so we may change our records.

If you need further information regarding Pet Fancier Permits or other animal control issues, please call the City of Racine Environmental Health Division at 636-9203. We will be happy to assist you.

The City of Racine thanks you for being a responsible pet owner!

5. What does Sec. 10-62 (Number of domesticated animals limited) read?

Animal and Rabies Control Program

• Control & prevent the incidence of rabies after an animal bite
• Prevent animals from becoming a nuisance or safety hazard when barking, crying, running loose, etc.
  • Animal Nuisance Complaint Form
• Assure proper vaccination, permits & licensing for all domesticated animals

* Other animal services are provided by the Countryside Humane Society, Such as:

• animal mistreatment
• neglect
• no food, water, or shelter

Contact the Humane Society with these concerns.
Phone: (262)554-6699

• Rabies is a fatal viral infection of the central nervous system of warm-blooded animals, including humans.
• It is usually transmitted through the bite of an animal that has the virus in its saliva, or more rarely, by contamination of an open cut or mucous membrane (eyes, nostrils, or mouth) with saliva of a rabid animal.
• When a healthy dog or cat bites a person, there is a remote possibility that the dog or cat could be in the infectious phase of the disease without showing any signs of rabies.   In these rare cases, the animal will develop recognizable signs of rabies in a few days allowing time to treat the bite victim ;preventively for rabies exposure.

Bats and Rabies

• Bats and Rabies Information
• Bats inside of Buildings Information

Steps to follow if your dog or cat bites someone

If your dog or cat bites someone, a police officer will order you to bring the animal to a veterinarian within 24 hours, or the next business day, for an examination.

1. After the initial examination, you must immediately return the signed form to the Environmental Health Division.  If you fail to have your animal examined by a veterinarian or fail to return the signed certificate your animal may be seized and impounded (at your expense).
2. If your dog or cat is not currently vaccinated against rabies, you must have the animal quarantined at a veterinarian's office or isolation facility for a period of at least 10 days after the bite.
3. If your dog or cat is currently vaccinated against rabies, you may quarantine your animal at home for a period of at least 10 days after the bite.  On the 10th day following the bite, you must return your animal to the veterinarian for an additional examination.
4. In all cases, a veterinarian must sign a certificate indicating that your dog or cat was examined on the 10th day following the bite.  The signed certificate must be returned to the Environmental Health Division no later than 24 hours after being released from confinement.  If you do not return the signed veterinarian's certificate to the Environmental Health Division after the final examination, you may be fined up to $1000 a day and your animal may be seized and impounded.
5. Return the signed certificate (within 24 hours) to:
   
   Environmental Health Division, Room1
   730 Washington Ave.
   Racine, WI 53403
   Phone: 636-9203
   Fax: 636-9165
6. If your dog or cat is not licensed by the city, you must purchase a license at this time.

Spanish pamphlet on biting

• Rabies is a fatal disease!!
• The 10 day quarantine period ensures that the dog or cat remains available so that it can be observed for signs of rabies.
• If the animal remains well during the 10 days, this indicates it did not have the rabies virus in its saliva at the time of the bite, and therefore the bite victim does not have to receive an expensive and unpleasant series of shots to prevent rabies.
• It is important that the dog or cat under quarantine be strictly confined at all times to ensure that it cannot run away or be injured.

Quarantine Facilities

• If your animal displays signs of illness or a change in behavior, it is crucial that you notify the veterinarian immediately.
• Your dog or cat must be vaccinated against rabies before the animal may be released from quarantine.
• The owner of the animal is responsible for all expenses incurred in connection with the quarantine.

Failure to comply with the quarantine requirements according to Sec. 10-101 of the City of Racine Municipal Code is a threat to the health and safety of the public.

If you do not return the signed veterinarian's certificate to Environmental Health after the initial and final examination, you may be fined up to $1000 a day and your animal may be seized and impounded.  The signed certificate must be returned to the Health Department no later than 24 hours after being released from confinement.