Pet Licensing and Ownership
Learn requirements for owning your pet and how to keep them safe and healthy.
Vaccinate Your Pet for Rabies
This prevents them from getting rabies from a wild animal bite. If your pet bites another animal or person, it helps to stop them from spreading the disease.
Dogs
- Wisconsin law says all dogs must be vaccinated for rabies by the age of five months.
- Rabies vaccines are good for 1 year or 3 years, depending on age at vaccination and vaccination history.
- Check with your vet to be sure your dog stays up to date on rabies vaccination.
Cats
- Many areas in Dane County require cats to be licensed. A rabies vaccination is required for licensing. Check with your municipality to see if they require a license for cats.
- Even if your cat never goes outside, it could escape, or a wild animal could get into your home. The best way to protect your cat from rabies is to get it vaccinated.
Get a Pet License
A pet wearing a license tag is easier to identify if they get lost. Your license fee goes toward helping lost, unwanted, injured, abandoned, and mistreated animals.
Dogs
You must license your dog by the age of five months, per Wisconsin state law. You must buy a new license for your dog each year. You must have a dog license to get a dog park permit (Madison park information, Dane County park information).
