Animal License

Animal Licenses must be obtained for all dogs and cats residing the city limits of the City of Michigan City. An application for an Animal License must be completed and delivered to the Michigan City Police Department Record’s Division with payment. 

Pet Regulations

  1. Every person owning or harboring a dog or cat within the City shall, on or before January 1 of each year, or within ten days of acquiring any dog or cat over six months of age, obtain an annual city dog/cat license for each dog or cat owned or harbored. The fee for a license shall be $3.00 for all spay and neutered dogs and cats & $7.00 for all unaltered dogs and cats, except that no fee shall be charged for the licensing of any guide dog or cat trained to aid the blind and actually in use for this purpose. When application is made between July 1 and December 31, and the dog or cat was not subject to licensing prior to that date, the city dog/cat license fee shall be one-half of the amount otherwise required.
  2. All City dog/cat licenses shall be effective for 12 months, for the period beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31 of each calendar year.

On application for any annual license issued for any dog or cat, the owner thereof shall exhibit a certificate showing the dog or cat has a current inoculation against rabies within the preceding 12-month period by a duly licensed veterinarian.

Why Should I Get An Animal License?

It's the law. Within the City of Michigan City it is mandatory that dog and cat owners have their pets licensed. If you are caught without a license, you will be issued a fine. Licenses must be renewed each year and must be displayed on the animal at all times.

If your animal goes missing, having a licensed drastically improves your chances of getting your pet back. A license tag helps the Animal Control Service and local shelters quickly identify your pet and return him/her back to you safely.

The cost of the license is far less than the penalty for being caught without one. If your pet is caught without a license, you can be issued fees far in excess of the cost of an Animal License.

Licensing lets people know that your dog is up to date on its rabies vaccinations. A dog cannot be licensed unless it is properly vaccinated. A Good Samaritan will be much more likely to want to handle and care for your missing pup if they know that it is healthy and free from rabies.

License fees support the efforts of the Animal Control Service to care for animals in our custody. The annual fee that you pay to license your dog helps to keep our shelter running and supports the work of your local Animal Control Service. By paying to properly ID your dog or cat, you are helping to feed and house stray animals found on the streets of our city. Someday, that could be your pet and, with your help, they will receive our best care and attention.