Town ordinances regarding dogs and cats

The Thermopolis Police Department Animal Control Officer would like to take this opportunity to remind citizens of the town ordinances that refer to dogs and cats.

Sec. 4-302. License -- Application, fees, requirements, vaccination, tags. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep or harbor any dog or cat over three (3) months of age within the Town, unless such dog or cat is licensed and vaccinated for rabies. A dog or cat shall be initially vaccinated for rabies at the age of three months, and shall again be vaccinated one year thereafter, and then shall be vaccinated every two years. (Ord. No. 775,8/1/04)

(d) A license shall be issued upon receipt of proof of current rabies vaccination and receipt of the applicable fee:

Neutered animal $5

Unneutered animal $15

Sec. 4-306. Unlicensed animals, dogs running at large, and nuisance cats -- First offense. (a) When a dog or cat is found unlicensed, when a dog or cat is found running at large, or when a citizen’s complaint has been received about a nuisance dog or cat for the first time in a licensing period, and the owner is unknown or cannot be located with reasonable effort, the dog or cat shall be impounded in the animal shelter.

Sec. 4-328. Humane and safe traps authorized. The Animal Control Authority or police officers are hereby authorized to place or authorize the use of humane and safe traps designed to capture an animal without injury to the animal for the purpose of capturing nuisance animals on public property or any private property in the Town at the written request of the owner of such property. (Ord. No. 611, 11/8/83, 18)

Please note that both rabies vaccination tags and license tags must be attached to the dog’s collar, and worn at all times. Neither tag is transferable. Both rabies vaccination tags and license tags must be attached to the cat’s collar and worn at all times.

If you are missing a dog or cat please contact the Thermopolis Police Department at (307)864-3114 to aid in locating your pet. If licensing is needed for your pet, please contact Animal Control Officer Julie Mathews at (307)864-3114.