Animals 

Licensing and permit payments are processed with the Department of Customer Service, located in the Clerk’s Office, Racine City Hall Room 103.

Environmental Health Division office hours: Tuesday, 8 – 10am; Wednesday, 2 – 4pm; or by appointment call 262-636-9203.

The City of Racine Public Health Department – Environmental Health Division provides resources to understand the requirements for the care and licensing of animals: Pet Licenses Chicken Permits Beekeeping Permits Animal Nuisance and Waste Complaints Restricted Animals Pet Fanciers Permits Animal Bites and Rabies Control

Animal Complaint Form

Pet Licensing

All domesticated animals (dogs, cats, potbellied pigs, and ferrets) are required by City ordinance to be licensed. Dogs, cats, and ferrets are also required to be vaccinated against rabies.

Licenses expire annually on December 31st and must be purchased each calendar year. Any license renewed after March 31st will be assessed a $5 late fee (new animals licensed within 30 days are exempt).

Application for Pet License

Licenses may be purchased in a number of ways (see below). Be sure to include copies of ALL necessary information, including Rabies Certificate and Proof of Spay/Neuter (if applicable), as well as your form of payment. This information may be:

• Mailed to the Department of Customer Service, 730 Washington Avenue Room 103, Racine, WI 53403. Include a check with the application.
• Emailed to Clerks@cityofracine.org.
• Dropped off at City Hall to the Department of Customer Service, 730 Washington Avenue Room 103, Racine, WI 53403. Cash, check, and credit card (service fee applies) are accepted in person.

The license, tag(s), and receipt for credit card payments will be returned to you via mail if the application is mailed to us.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why license?
   • Sec. 10-36 of the Racine Municipal Code requires that domesticated animals (dogs, cats, potbellied pigs, and ferrets) be licensed.
   • It helps to identify your pet in the event it is lost.
   • To keep official records of your pet’s rabies vaccinations.
2. What is the cost of licensing?
   Dogs and Cats
   • Neutered/Spayed: $15 each
   • Non-neutered/Spayed: $40 each

   Potbellied Pigs

   • Must be neutered/spayed:  $15 each

   Ferrets

   • Neutered/Spayed or non-neutered/spayed: $15 each
3. How many pets are allowed?
   A person is allowed to keep three (3) domesticated animals in a single-family residence, and two (2) domesticated animals per unit of a multiple-family residence. If you live in a single-family residence and have more than three (3) animals you are required to obtain a Pet Fancier’s Permit.
   Note: Only one potbellied pig is allowed, regardless of residence or license type.
4. Can pets roam free or unattended in public, outside of dog parks?
   
   Section 10-92 of the Code, states that “’[r]un at large,’ means the presence of the animal at any place except upon the property of the owner unless the animal:

   (1) Is on a leash held by a person physically able to control the animal; or (2) Is controlled and contained by a person physically able to control the animal; or (3) Is on private property with permission of the owner of the property.”

   Stated otherwise, Racine’s local law requires either a leash with control or the ability to restrain (verbal or otherwise) with control.

 

 

Chicken Permits

Any individual wishing to keep chickens within the City limits must apply for a permit. Requirements and guidelines for the keeping of chickens within the City are specified in Racine Municipal Code, Section 10-6 Urban Chickens.

The fee to apply for a Chicken Permit is $55; this fee covers the permit and inspection for the calendar year expire on December 31st. 

Applicants must also apply for and receive a permit from the Building Department; the fee for this permit is $80. Contact the Building Department at 262-636-9464 for more information.

Application for Chicken Permit

 

Beekeeping Permits

Any individual wishing to keep bees within the City limits must apply for a permit. A number of requirements and guidelines for the keeping of bees within the City are specified in Racine Municipal Code, Section 10-43 Beekeeping Permit.

There is no fee to apply for a Beekeeping Permit. After the application has been submitted an inspection of the premises must take place in order to issue the Beekeeping Permit.

Application for Beekeeping Permit

 

Animal Nuisance and Waste Complaints

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. Complete the animal nuisance complaint form, available below, to file a nuisance/noise complaint.

The Animal Nuisance Complaint Form must be signed in front of a Notary Public. A Notary Public is available in the City of Racine Clerk’s Office.

 

Animal Nuisance Complaint Form

It is unlawful to knowingly leave animal waste on public or private property other than your own. When walking your dog, it may be best to carry a plastic bag to avoid any problems. Dispose of the bag in a trash bin; do not place the waste down a storm drain. For a pet waste complaint, you must have the address of the animal’s owner.

 

Restricted Animals

Persons wishing to bring a restricted animal into the City for a temporary period must file a Special Permit for Keeping Animals. Individuals wishing to permanently keep restricted animals within the City must file an Ownership Permit for Certain Restricted Animals. Both application forms are available here:

 

Application for Special Permit for Keeping Animals

Application for Ownership Permit for Certain Restricted Animals

 

City of Racine Municipal Code, Sec. 10-42: Part (1) references the Special Permit for Keeping Animals; Part (2) references the Ownership Permit for Certain Restricted Animals.

 

 

Pet Fanciers Permits

A person is allowed to keep three (3) domesticated animals in a single-family residence, and two (2) domesticated animals per unit of a multiple-family residence. If you live in a single-family residence and have more than three (3) animals you are required to obtain a Pet Fancier’s Permit. This permit allows you to keep up to seven (7) animals (dogs, cats, ferrets, potbellied pigs). Residents of a multiple-family residence may not obtain a pet fancier permit.

Note: Only one potbellied pig is allowed, regardless of residence or license type.

Application for Pet Fancier’s License

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long is the permit valid?
   A new permit, which expires December 31st, must be purchased each calendar year. Any permit renewed after March 31st will be assessed a late fee.

   Note: Permits must be submitted and processed before the last business day in March to avoid the late fee.

2. What is the cost of a pet fancier permit?
   All Domesticated Animals (Up to 7)
   • Pet Fancier Permit $30

   City of Racine Municipal Code, Sec. 10-40 addresses the requirements and limitations of a Pet Fancier’s permit.

 

 

Animal Bites and Rabies Control

While animal bites alone are rarely life-threatening, they can easily become infected and cause serious medical problems. The mouths of dogs and cats, as well as other animals, can be filled with over 100 different types of bacteria and other disease-causing agents that can enter the wound. One such disease-causing agent is the rabies virus. In Wisconsin, rabies is most often carried by bats, raccoons, and skunks.

Symptoms of rabies in your pet include a loss of appetite, erratic behavior, unusual episodes of aggression, dilated pupils, and constant growling/aggressive noises.

IF YOUR DOG OR CAT BITES SOMEONE

Informational Brochure If Your Animal Bites

Steps for the animal’s owner:

1. If medical treatment is necessary, call 911 to report the incident. Otherwise, call the City of Racine Police Department non-emergency number at 262-886-2300.
2. A police officer or Community Service Officer (CSO) will respond and provide you an animal bite report form. Bring the animal to a veterinarian within 24 hours, or the next business day, for an examination.
3. After the initial examination by a veterinarian, immediately return to the City of Racine Public Health Department – Environmental Health Division with the signed animal bite report form. If you fail to have your animal examined by a veterinarian, or fail to return the signed form, your animal may be seized and impounded, at your
   expense.
4. If your dog or cat:
   • Is not currently vaccinated against rabies, you must have the animal quarantined at a veterinarian’s office for a period of at least 10 days after the bite. Before release from quarantine, the animal must be vaccinated against rabies.
   • 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 a second examination. 
5. In all cases, a veterinarian must sign the animal bite report form indicating that your animal was examined on the 10th day following the bite. The signed form must be returned to the City of Racine Public Health Department – Environmental Health Division no more than 24 hours after the animal is released from quarantine.
   If you do not return the signed form to the City of Racine Public Health Department – Environmental Health Division after the initial and final examinations you may be fined up to $1,000 a day and your animal may be seized and impounded.
6. If your dog or cat is not licensed, you must purchase a license at this time.

Rabies Information Links:

Rabies Information – WI Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection

Rabies Information – WI Department of Health Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Rabies

Rabies Information for Clinicians

QUARANTINING YOUR PET

The ten-day quarantine period ensures that the dog or cat remains available so that it can be observed for signs of 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. If your animal displays signs of illness or a change in behavior, it is critical that you notify your veterinarian immediately. If the animal remains free of symptoms during the 10 days, this indicates it did not have the rabies virus in its saliva at the time of the bite. Therefore, the bite victim does not have to receive an expensive and unpleasant series of shots to prevent rabies. If unvaccinated, 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 Chapter 10, Article III – Rabies Control of the City of Racine Municipal Code, is a threat to the health and safety of the public.

QUARANTINE FACILITIES

If your pet is not currently vaccinated, the quarantine period following a bite must take place at a veterinarian’s office.

Area facilities include:

Angelcare Animal Hospital: 262-886-3337

Caledonia Veterinary Clinic: 262-681-8000 (Cats only)

For Pets’ Sake Veterinary Clinic: 262-884-8838

North Shore Animal Hospital: 262-639-7500 (Current clients only)

 

For More Information

If you have questions or would like more information, call 262-636-9203.