Dear Neighborhood Associations,

Addressing livability issues between people and animals within city neighborhoods is a priority for our department. We are here to assist neighborhoods by enforcing leash laws for cats and dogs, rabies vaccinations, pet registrations, nuisance animal complaints such as sanitation and barking, conducting bite investigations, and by picking up stray animals.

Pet ownership among U.S. households is reported to be at 62%, with dogs and cats found in at least one out of three homes. Our department celebrates the relationship between people and animals with a conscientious aim towards public health and safety.

We dedicate this part of our website specifically for neighborhood associations looking for quick, simple, and accurate information to copy and publish as written in association newsletters. We will make changes relevant to the seasons and weather, and post information when animal health issues are present in our community.  If you have topics you wish to see added, please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

  
Do You Tie Your Dog Outside?

Dog owners who routinely chain their dogs outside will need to observe a new city law that limits how and when dogs can be tethered. As of January 2008, dogs are no longer allowed to be tethered between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.  During these hours dogs can be inside a fenced yard, kennel, or garage with a proper dog house. 

1. No dog under the age of six months and no dog that hasn't been spayed or neutered can be tethered at any time, day or night. 
2. Spayed and neutered dogs can be tethered between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., but no more than three may be tethered at the same time on one property.
3. Multiple altered dogs may not have contact while they are tethered. The required six foot lead may not reach within three feet of another property, public thoroughfare, or right of way. 

Free Dog House and Dog Care Items

If you are a family of limited income or you receive financial assistance, you may qualify to receive free care items for a currently owned dog.  The program, called SCORE, is offered by Animal Care & Control by calling 427-1244 weekdays.  Free items include a new doghouse, flea treatment, straw bedding, a new collar, and spay or neuter surgery. You must be a resident of the City of Fort Wayne to apply.

Fines Imposed for Dog and Cat Leash Law Violations

Pet owners will want to take extra caution to keep their dogs and cats properly confined to their property or leashed when going for walks off property to avoid hefty fines and a possible court appearance.  According to Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control officials, fines of $50 - $2,500 per offense per day can be imposed for violations to the City Animal Care Ordinance.  All dogs and all cats must be under the physical control of the owner or attendant by leash when off the owner's property. This includes walking a dog through any city park or letting your dog outside to stretch his legs and do his business. If your yard is not fenced, you’ll need a good leash.  Keep in mind that your pet must be under your control and not be a nuisance or threat to other people or animals passing by, so avoid using a leash that is long enough to reach public sidewalks.

Animal Care & Control recommends citizens call to report owner’s who repeatedly allow their pet to leave their yard and roam freely.  Be prepared to give the exact street address of where the animal lives and plan to call every time the violation occurs.  Snapping a photo of the animal roaming freely is also helpful.  Cat traps are available for loan to city residents to help with free roaming cat problems.  Call 427-1244 and choose menu option 7 to speak to a clerk.  

Pet owners should never assume that neighbors enjoy visits by your pet. Be a good pet owning neighbor and keep cats and dogs confined safely at home, use a leash when taking your pet for a walk, and always clean up after your pet.     If your pet should disappear from home, begin your search at Animal Care & Control located at 3020 Hillegas Road.  Your pet may have been found and taken to the shelter for safe keeping and reclaim.  For more information visit the shelter website at www.fwacc.org.

Pet Limits Within the City of Fort Wayne

City ordinance limits the numbers of dogs and cats that may reside at a residential city property.  At no time shall the number of dogs exceed five, number of cats exceed seven, or the total number of dogs and cats exceed seven at one property. You may decide to keep one dog or cat over the age of five months unaltered.  All others must be spayed or neutered.  Please make sure the dogs and cats you own are vaccinated yearly and seen by a veterinarian for the health and safety of pets and people.  Report nuisance animal problems to Animal Care & Control 260-427-1244.

The City of Fort Wayne offers financial aid to Allen County pet owners with verification of financil need to spay or neuter dogs and cats through a program called SNAP (Spay Neuter Assistance Program).  To qualify, your pet must have a current rabies vaccination and there is a small required co-pay.  A pet that has been spayed or neutered is less likely to become a biting dog, less likely to roam, won't mark territory with urine, and will be a healthier animal.  For more information on guidelines call Animal Care & Control at 260-427-1244.


Nusiance Barking

A common neighborhood animal control complaint centers on dogs that bark excessively. Continuous barking, especially during late night hours, can result in neighborhood disputes and is a violation of the City Animal Care Ordinance. According to code, “Noisy Dog” - no person shall allow an animal to bark, yelp, whine, howl, or make sounds common to its species in excess, continuously for 15 minutes or for a total of 20 minutes in a one-hour period.
  
Although it is normal and reasonable for dogs to bark from time to time, just as children make noise when they play outside, continual barking is a symptom of a problem that needs addressing. Most often dogs howl, bark and whine out of frustration and boredom. Increase the dog's exercise through daily walks and play time to give the dog more “people time” and mental stimulation from new sites and smells. Neutering is recommended to reduce territorial barking and crate training is strongly recommended to bring the dog inside the house while you are away.  Be a considerate neighbor and a responsible dog owner and eliminate the neighborhood complaints from the mail carriers, neighbors, and parents of children walking to and from school. Report nusiance barking to the Animal Care & Control office at 427-1244. In some cases an affidavit process may be offered, which will result in the dog owner being summoned to Court.

 
Live Cat Trap Program

Animal Care & Control has live cat traps available for any city resident who may want to remove one or more stray cats from an area.  Cats that have been abandoned often spread disease and waste, will breed creating additional strays, kill song birds, and cause distrubances for neighbors.  Call the shelter office for trap availability at 427-1244.

Did Your Dog Leave Something Behind?

Animal waste left in public areas and in neighborhood yards is a familiar complaint. And, while the neighbors might enjoy seeing your dog, they do not enjoy seeing what he leaves behind. As a reminder City sanitation law requires citizens to remove animal feces immediately from public lands and from the property of another. Citizens must also maintain animal areas in a sanitary manner regularly and as often as necessary to prevent odor, or health and sanitation problems.  When sharing common areas, be considerate of where you take your dog to urinate. Although it is not a legal requirement to remove animal urine, allowing a dog to eliminate in public areas where children play is inconsiderate and just bad form. If you encounter an on-going problem concerning sanitation, report the concern to Animal Care & Control at 427-1244. If at all possible, a timely photograph of an owner allowing a dog to leave feces behind has been known to result in a timely $50 citation.

Solving “Cat”-astrophes!

Last year over 8,500 cats were turned into Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control, most of which were roaming freely through neighborhoods. City laws regarding confinement, vaccination, spay/neuter, and pet registration apply to cats as they do dogs. Cats are required to have a current one year or three year rabies vaccination, they must be confined inside the home or on the property of the owner, and they must wear a current registration tag from Animal Care & Control. Only one cat or dog per household can be unaltered without a cattery or kennel permit. To report a stray animal, call 427-1244. Humane live traps are also available from the shelter. To claim a lost pet, visit the shelter at 3020 Hillegas Road.

Kittens Having Kittens

It's a fact, kittens as young as six months old can begin reproducing if the owner delays the spay or neuter surgery. Shelters accross the country including Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control are crowded by unplanned litters of kittens given up by owner's every spring. If your pet is pregnant, you must obtain a breeder permit from Animal Care & Control regardless of whether the litter is intentional or unintentional. The permit is required before you can sell or give away the kittens or puppies. Call a local veterinary clinic, The HOPE for Animals Spay Neuter Clinic (260-420-7729), or the Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic at 1313 Broadway (424-5982).