Pet License Information
Dog License:
- All dogs over the age of 6 months require to be registered and licensed with the City.
- License/renewal fee is $10.00 and valid for a 2 year period. Renewal notices will be sent out as a reminder.
- Must provide proof of rabies vaccination (tag #, vaccination date given & expires).
Why does the City require dog license every 2 years?
- Answer: In past years, the City of Big Lake issued a lifetime license. This proved to be problematic on two fronts:
- There was no process in place to ensure vaccination (rabies/distemper) were maintained to a current status as required by the City Code. The Big Lake Police Department has responded to situations where there was no proof of vaccinations, or the vaccination cycle had expired. These instances required either the quarantine of the dog involved in the incident, or a series of painful injections for the victim.
- There was minimal ability to maintain current owner information.
Pot-bellied Pigs:
- A person may keep no more than one-pot-bellied pig. Must be kept solely for the private use and enjoyment of the person.
- A pot-bellied pig may be kept only by residents of single family detached dwellings.
- A license is required for pot-bellied pigs of any age. Must provide a certificate by a licensed veterinarian clinic that the animal has been neutered.
390.06 Limit on Number of Domesticated Animals. Because the keeping of any combination of more than three dogs, cats, or any other domesticated animals allowed outdoors, on the same residential premises, could be subject to abuse and has the potential to cause discomfort to persons in the area by the way of smell, noise, hazard, and general aesthetic depreciation, the keeping of any combination of more than three dogs, cats, or any other domesticated animals allowed outdoors, over the age of six months, shall be declared a nuisance and is not allowed within the City limits. (Definition of domesticated animals can be found under the City ordinance Chapter 3 Licenses Section 390 Animals.)