Pet owners have the responsibility to provide pets a healthy, safe life and their neighbors a pet free existence. Oshkosh animal ordinances underline this concept and, when obeyed, prevent serious consequences such as:
- Injured, lost or stolen pets.
- Aggravated or injured neighbors.
- Animal bites.
- Dangerous diseases, (such as rabies).
In Oshkosh, cats and dogs must be licensed and wear 2 tags:
- Rabies Vaccination Tag
- Animal License Tag
Every cat and dog must have a current vaccination against rabies and must wear their rabies tag.
The city of Oshkosh requires that every cat and dog, 5 months of age or older as of January 1 of each year, shall obtain a license within 30 days and must wear a current Winnebago County animal license tag.
To purchase an animal license tag you must submit the animal’s current rabies vaccination certificate, certified by a licensed veterinarian. The certificate must show the date the next rabies immunization is due.
Written proof of your pet’s spaying or neutering is required the first time you license your pet.
The animal License Fee for neutered or spayed Pet is $ 5.00 and $12.00 for those who have not been fixed. A $7.00 penalty is due, if paid after March 31. Animal license tags must be renewed each year. It is valid for 1 year – from January 1 through December 31.
Add a responsible owners graphic with Wag Away branding.
Fulfilling Your Responsibilities
- Have a certified veterinarian inoculate your pet.
- Dogs and cats shall be vaccinated by a licensed
veterinarian at no later than 5 months of age. - Each dog or cat vaccinated at less than 1 year of
age shall be revaccinated 12 months after the
initial vaccination. - After the initial rabies vaccination, every dog or
cat shall be revaccinated at not more than 3 year
intervals with a 3-year vaccine or at 1 year intervals
with a 1 year vaccine. - Attach your pet’s rabies vaccination tag to their collar.
- Save your pet’s written rabies certificate.
In Oshkosh, you must:
- Confine your pet within your premises except when attended to by some person and fastened securely to a suitable lease not more than 6 feet in length.
- Prevent your pet from trespassing.
- Immediately remove your pet’s waste when excreted on property other than your own.
- Prevent the accumulation of animal waste on your property.
- Properly dispose of your pet’s waste by either flushing or bagging and depositing in the garbage or burial.
- Keep your pet quiet.
- Immediately report all animal bites to the Oshkosh Police Department.
- Always provide your pets with sufficient food and fresh water supply.
- Always provide pets, allowed or kept outdoors, with adequate shade and shelter.
- Maintain pens and enclosures in a clean and sanitary condition.
- Never abuse, abandon or neglect any animal.
- Never leave any animal, enclosed or unattended in any type of vehicle where the air temperature inside and/or outside will cause the animal to be exposed to extreme
weather conditions. On a warm day the temperature in a parked car can reach 160 degrees in a matter of minutes, even with partially opened windows. With only hot air to breathe, your pet can quickly suffer brain damage or die from heatstroke. - Keep your dog from prohibited areas such as parks, beaches, cemeteries, golf courses, play grounds or school grounds.
City of Oshkosh Ordinances Involving Dogs and Cats can be found by scrolling down to the bottom of the page. https://www.oshkoshwi.gov/DogCatLicense/ make this a hotlink.