Pet Licenses
Licensing your pet supports Minneapolis Animal Care and Control’s work to create safe and healthy communities for people and animals. Plus, there are benefits to licensing your pet. We have 1-year, 3-year and Lifetime pet licenses. We offers discounts for Seniors (pet owners 65 years or older), for those who spay or neuter their pets, and for those who have limited income. See pet license fees and requirements.
Get a pet license in the following ways:
- Apply for a Pet License Online – Unless:
- Your animal has been declared dangerous or potentially dangerous.
- You have more than three (3) pets. Then a multiple animal permit is required.
- You have outstanding fines or fees owed to Minneapolis Animal Care and Control.
- You are licensing a RABBIT. The online system does not allow for the proof of vaccination required for rabbits. Please complete the Pet License Application (pdf) and mail it directly to us or stop by the Animal Shelter in person. Sorry for the inconvenience.
- Learn more, see online pet license help.
- Call 311 or (612) 673-3000 to license your pet over the phone
- Complete the Pet License Application (pdf) and mail it to us. Mail-in applications may take several weeks to process.
- Apply in-person at:
- Minneapolis Animal Care & Control, 212 17th Avenue North, Minneapolis 55411
- Minneapolis Development Review, Public Service Center, 250 South 4th Street, Room 300, Minneapolis 55415
- Get a license at participating Vet Clinics or Local Pet Businesses:
- Westgate Vet Clinic
- Minneapolis Veterinary Hospital
- Minnehaha Animal Hospital
- Pet Doctors
- Chuck & Don's Pet Food Outlet -- NE Minneapolis and Calhoun stores ONLY
- Lake Harriet Veterinary
- Urbanimal (Uptown Location)
- Camden Pet Hospital
- Kenwood Pet Clinic
- Caravan Vet
Pet License Fees
| Spayed/Neutered | Non-Spayed/Neutered | |
| 1 Year Pet License | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dogs/Cats | $25 | $50 |
| Dogs/Cats of Seniors 65 or older | $10 | $35 |
| Ferret/Rabbits | $15 | $25 |
| Individuals recieving means-tested public assistance or with incomes of $40,000 or less family of four | $10 must be purchased at the Animal Shelter to verify income | $35 must be purchased at the Animal Shelter to verify income |
| 3 Year Pet License | ||
| Dogs/Cats | $75 | Not Applicable |
| Lifetime License | ||
| Dogs/Cats | $200 microchip required | Not Applicable |
Pet License Requirements
- All dogs and cats over four months of age in Minneapolis are required to be licensed and wear collars with the license tag attached
- Rabbits and ferrets are also required to be licensed in Minneapolis. Proof of current rabies vaccination must be provided (or self-certified) for ferrets
- Service dogs certified by a recognized service program are exempt from license fees (i.e., FREE)
- Replacements for lost tags are $5
- Your cat and/or dog is required to wear its license at all times, with the license hung from the collar and clearly visible. This will make it much easier to identify and return your lost pet. Failure to comply with this ordinance (64.20) (which does not apply to rabbits or ferrets) may result in a fine and/or court appearance.
- Annual pet licenses expire one year from the date of purchase
- If your pet is deceased and was licensed with MACC, please let us now by sending your name, address and pet’s name to 311 by email at Minneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov.
- NEW License for individuals who receive public means-tested assistance or who have limited income (less than $40,000/year for a family of four). This license type can only be purchased at the Animal Shelter in order to verify income. We will accept the following as proof of income eligibility:
- Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Free or Reduced Lunch Program (Public Schools)
- Social Security Disability (SSD)
- Minnesota Care (MNCare) or Medical Assistance (MA)
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
- HUD Section 8 Housing
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Major VA Disability
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) - Formerly AFDC
- Unemployment
- A pet owner may also bring his or her most recent income tax return showing income of less than $40,000 per household (family of four or more).
Online Pet License Help
What you will need:
Read carefully, you are responsible for selecting the correct license option for which your pet is eligible.
| Renewing a Pet License | Applying for a New Pet License |
|---|---|
|
|
If you have questions not addressed here, please call 311 (612-673-3000) to speak with a 311 agent or a MACC staff member.
Renewals
Using the numbers provided by MACC on the renewal email or letter will expedite and simplify renewals. However, you can renew without the numbers.
Address Format
House number, street name, street type (Ave, etc), direction.
Emails
Please add your email address so we can follow-up if we have any problems with the transaction. And, as a way of going greener, we will be sending email reminders to license your pet next year. An automatic confirmation for the pet license renewal will not be sent. However, a confirmation screen will display if the transaction was successful.
Rabies vaccination
- If your vet clinic is not listed, please type in the clinic name.
- The system will ask you if you have a 1-year or a 3-year rabies vaccination. In some cases, Twin City veterinarians offer a 2-year vaccination. If this applies to your animal, manipulate the dates of the field called "New Vaccination Date" (this means the date when your pet received the last rabies vaccination). Example: If the dog received the rabies shot on 1/11/11 for a 2-year vaccination with an expiration of 1/11/13 PLEASE USE the date 1/11/10 in the New Vaccination Date field and click 3-year vaccination. In the end, the expiration still remains 1/11/13. In this way, we are creatively working around a problem in the computer program (that the City of Minneapolis does not own nor control) and your pet's rabies vaccination expiration remains accurate.
Spay/neuter
- If your vet clinic is not listed, please type in the clinic name.
License Types
Select license option for which your pet is eligible.
Senior Discount - owner must be 65 or older. If you have not previously had a senior discount, you cannot receive a senior discount through the online renewal process. Call 311 or (612) 673-3000 to receive a mail-in form.
Low-Income Discount - If you have limited income of $40,000 or less for a family of four or more, OR receive public assistance, you qualify for a discount off your pet license. Because the city needs to verify income eligibility, you must apply for this license type in person at the Animal Shelter.
Why License Your Pet?
- It's a free ride home. If your licensed pet is found in Minneapolis, it will get a ride home instead of to the Animal Shelter.
- Your pet is more likely to get back home. Licensed pets are three times more likely than unlicensed pets to go home again.
- Prompt medical attention. If you pet is found injured, it will get medical care right away.
- It's the law for dogs, cats, ferrets and rabbits. (Minneapolis Ordinance 64.10 and 65.10)
- It helps other pets. Your pet's license helps Minneapolis Animal Care & Control
- Shelter and feed lost dogs and cats and find them new homes
- Educate the public about responsible pet ownership
- Reunite lost dogs and cats with their owners
To show our appreciation for licensing your animals, we will send you our I Love My Pet Rewards Program card absolutely FREE with your license tags. Use the card at participating businesses to receive discounts and special promotions on the items you already purchase for Fido and for Fifi…and for you, too! It's our small way of thanking you for being a responsible pet owner and licensing your pets!
See a list of participating businesses!
Last updated Jan. 10, 2013