Animal Control Services

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Contact Information

If you need assistance, contact:

(608) 789-8697 - Regular Business Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM - Animal Control Technician Ava Giminski
(608) 782-7575 - Outside of Business Hours - La Crosse County Non-Emergency Dispatch

Services Provided by LCPD

The La Crosse Police Department oversees animal control services for the City of La Crosse and is responsible for the following:

Pet licensing (through PetData)
Enforcing City of La Crosse animal ordinances
Bite complaints and checking on quarantines for bites
Locating animals found at-large and transporting them to the Coulee Region Humane Society
Following-up to locate owners of animals found at-large
Assisting the District Attorney's Office with animal cruelty cases, necropsy, and building the criminal case
Bat exposures - if a person or pet was bitten call 608-782-7575 non-emergency dispatch (for bat removal, call a private pest service)

Pet Licensing

In accordance with City Ordinance, all dogs and cats that reside in the City of La Crosse must be licensed yearly by April 1. City Ordinance allows up to four (4) of any combination of dogs or cats per residence. Licenses are issued for one calendar year and expire each December 31st.

The City of La Crosse has partnered with PetData to deliver a more convenient option in licensing your pet(s).

To license online, go to www.PetData.com, enter your zip code and click “online” under License Now. You can register multiple pets at the same time and easily upload required documents. All major credit cards are accepted, and a small convenience fee will apply per transaction.

To license by mail, simply mail a copy of your pet’s current rabies certificate, any applicable documentation, and a check payable to “City of La Crosse Treasurer” to:

City of La Crosse Animal Licensing
C/O PetData
PO Box 141929
Irving, TX 75014

Pet License Fees

The following fees apply:

Cat/Dog (Spayed/Neutered): $12.00
Cat/Dog (Not-Spayed/Not-Neutered): $23.00
Kitten/Puppy: the fee is cut in half if the kitten or puppy reaches licensable age after July 1st of the license year

This can be paid online through PetData, or it can be paid in person at the City of La Crosse Treasurer's office. The Treasurer's Office accepts cash, check or credit cards (fees will apply). For questions, please call 608-789-7528.

Pet License Due Dates

When do I need to purchase a license?

Within 30 days of obtaining a cat or dog or within 30 days of establishing residency in the City of La Crosse.
New puppy or kitten licensing must be done when the animal is 5 months old.
Once a cat or dog has been licensed in the City, they must be licensed on a yearly basis no later than April 1st (25.00 late fee per pet will be assessed on April 1st).

Items Needed to License a Pet

Why License My Pet?

Why should I license my pet?

It's required by law! Also, licensing helps Animal Control identify family pets, should an animal become lost. The fees from licensing are used to care for animals and investigate complaints about stray animals, among other services. Other goals of animal licensing are to promote responsible pet ownership and to reduce the tragedies associated with lost pets and pet overpopulation.

Other Pet License Facts

How do I get a replacement tag?

You may obtain a replacement tag by sending a check or money order payable to “City of La Crosse Treasurer" in the amount of $2.00 to the mailing address below. Please do not send cash. You may include either a copy of your prior license receipt or a note to designate the pet for which you are purchasing a replacement tag. If you need assistance, you may call customer service toll-free at 833-991-0937.

City of La Crosse Animal Licensing
c/o PetData
PO Box 141929
Irving, TX 75014-1929

Can I transfer a license?

Licenses may not be transferred from one owner to another owner or from one pet to another pet.

How long is a license valid?

License are valid from January 1st through December 31st and are due by January 1st annually.

Where is the local animal shelter?

The animal shelter for the City of La Crosse is located at the following address:

Coulee Region Humane Society
911 Critter Ct.
Onalaska, WI 54650

Who is PetData?

In 2020, the City of La Crosse began utilizing PetData to promote animal licensing to increase the cost-effectiveness of the program and to provide additional service to La Crosse citizens.

PetData, Inc., headquartered in Dallas, Texas, provides animal licensing services for municipalities and animal welfare agencies throughout the United States. The company, a member of the National Animal Control Association, has been in business since 1994. PetData’s goals are to increase animal licensing, to reduce animal euthanasia, to educate the community, and to help solve animal control problems.

Quick Links

Lost and Found Animals

I have found a pet, what should I do?

If the pet that you have found is wearing a City of La Crosse license (cat) or La Crosse County (dog) license, you can enter the tag number at www.petdata.com. If you need assistance, you may call Pet Data office at 833-991-0937.

I have lost a pet, what should I do?

If an Animal Control Technician finds your pet, and your pet is wearing a current license tag on its collar, Animal Control will contact you. If another citizen finds your pet with its license tag, they may call Animal Control at (608) 789-8697 or lookup the tag number through our online tag search.

If your pet has been lost, Animal Control recommends that you visit the shelter to look for your pet at least every other day. Sheltering of strays for the City of La Crosse is provided by Coulee Region Humane Society and they can be reached at (608) 781-4014 regarding your pet.

Wildlife