Questions & Answers

How do I file a complaint about a barking dog?
What can an owner do about a barking dog?
What can a neighbor do about a barking dog?
What can be done about stray cats coming onto my property?
Where can I get my pet spayed or neutered? How about vaccinations?
Where and how can I purchase a dog or cat license?
How long does it take to process a pet license if I mail in my paperwork? How about if I pay in person?
Where can I get a rabies vaccination for my pet?
What can I do if my pet is missing?
How do I know if a deceased dog or cat was possibly picked up by animal control or brought in by a citizen?
How does a microchip work?
When does an animal become available for adoption?
Is poultry or livestock allowed in the city limits of Sacramento?

How do I file a complaint about a barking dog?

You may call the City of Sacramento's 311 Call Center by simply dialing "311." You must obtain the exact address of where the dog resides so that an official letter can be mailed to the owner. An animal control officer is NOT dispatched for barking cases.

Once the barking letter is sent the next day, we provide the owner of the dog(s) 2 weeks to receive this letter and to find some method to reduce the barking to at least a minimum. If another complaint(s) is received within this 2-week period, we do NOT send additional letters.

If the problem persists after 2 weeks has passed, then you may make a 2nd complaint, whereby a final barking letter is sent and provides the owner with another 2 weeks.

If the problem still persists and you make a 3rd complaint, we do not send additional letters. Instead, we will refer you to speak to an animal control officer so that he can advise you what are the next legal steps. In addition, we only send 2 letters in a calendar year.

What can an owner do about a barking dog?

You can use an anti-barking training device, such as a static-shock collar and a citronella-spray collar. They can be purchased at most local pet stores.

You may consult with a local animal behaviorist, who can be referred to you by your veterinarian, the Sacramento Dog Training Club at (916) 482-5194, or the Sacramento Council of Dog Clubs at (916) 483-3602.

For additional information, check out the Sacramento SPCA's website about barking dogs.

What can a neighbor do about a barking dog?

If at all possible, we recommend speaking to the dog owner first before contacting animal control. You may also want to speak to your neighbors and see if it they have the same problem as you do. We advise you to keep a written log so that you can document the times and the duration of the barking, the contact you may have with the owner or with animal control, etc.

What can be done about stray cats coming onto my property?

In the city limits of Sacramento, cats are recognized as free-roaming animals, whether they are owned or stray and whether they are friendly or feral. Unlike dogs, cats may roam freely throughout the city, are not required to be on a leash, and do not need to be confined within the owner's property.

To prevent these cats from overrunning your property, from being a nuisance, and from breeding, we recommend confining them in an enclosure and having them removed. If they are friendly, you may pick them up and contain them in an enclosed box (with holes for ventilation) or a cat carrier. However, if they are aggressive or timid, we highly recommend trapping them in a humane manner.

While we do not offer the service of trapping cats nor renting or selling traps, we do offer the service of picking up contained or trapped cats. Call 311 to have an animal control officer dispatched to your residence, provided that you live within the city limits of Sacramento and that the cat is confined within an enclosure that an animal control officer can take with him/her. If it is, for example, a cat carrier or a trap that you want back, you will need to advise the animal control officer and retrieve your enclosure the following business day at the shelter. Alternatively, you may bring contained or trapped cats to the shelter.

You may rent or purchase a humane cat trap at a local feed store, such as Western Feed (1600 34th Street, Sacramento CA 95816. 916-452-4741).

Where can I get my pet spayed or neutered? How about vaccinations?

The shelter has a list of low-cost spay/neuter clinics and low-cost vaccinations clinic around the Sacramento area. You may also access this information on the front page of our website, where there are spay/neuter links on the right-hand side of the page. In addition, check the Yellow Pages under "Veterinarian" or "Veterinary" for a location nearest you.

Where and how can I purchase a dog or cat license?

A dog or cat license can be purchased at the shelter or through the mail. A dog or cat must be at least 4 months of age and currently vaccinated against rabies. Also, if the dog or cat is spayed or neutered, then there is a discount on the license fee. You will need your rabies vaccination certificate and proof of spay/neuter (if applicable).

How long does it take to process a pet license if I mail in my paperwork? How about if I pay in person?

Due to the shortage of staffing and the overwhelming volume of licensing paperwork, the processing time for mailed applications or renewals for a new animal license application or renewal can be anywhere between 2-8 weeks.

Inaddition, the other option is to come into the shelter during business hours and pay for your pet's license at the counter in the front lobby. We will process your payment and paperwork while you are here, and if you are licensing your pet for the first time, you will receive your pet's license tag on the spot. If you are renewing an existing license, you will re-use the original tag.

Where can I get a rabies vaccination for my pet?

The shelter offers a rabies vaccination clinic on the first Wednesday of each month from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Operated in conjunction with a mobile clinic called VIP, this clinic offers the rabies vaccination for $5. Most importantly, in order to receive a rabies vaccination at this clinic, you will also be required to license your pet or renew an existing license.

You may also obtain a rabies vaccination from VIP (800-427-7973) or Yolano Veterinary Service (916-487-3596), who are both mobile clinics that offer all types of vaccinations at various locations on the weekend. Please call for times and locations.

The Sacramento SPCA offers vaccinations from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesday through Saturday. This facility is located at 6201 Florin-Perkins Road, with a cross-street of Elder Creek.

What can I do if my pet is missing?

We recommend checking all three of the animal shelters in Sacramento: (1) City of Sacramento Animal Care Services, (2) County of Sacramento Animal Care and Regulation, and (3) Sacramento SPCA. We also recommend distributing flyers in your neighborhood, placing a lost-animal ad in the newspaper, and checking any local veterinarian offices.

How do I know if a deceased dog or cat was possibly picked up by animal control or brought in by a citizen?

We do NOT picture deceased animals on the website nor is there a list of deceased animals posted on the website. In order to view a list of deceased animals, you will need to come into the shelter and view the Daily Intake Log, which shows all stray animals (alive and deceased) that came into the shelter on a daily basis.

How does a microchip work?

A microchip is inserted into the scruff of the animal's neck. When an animal comes into a shelter, a technician scans the animal's body with a portable, hand-held scanner. If an animal has a microchip, an identification number will register on the scanner. With that number, the shelter can call the appropriate microchip company, who can will check their computer database for the owner's name, address, and phone number(s). Afterwards, the shelter will attempt to make contact with the owner. Please note that a microchip is NOT a GPS locator.

When does an animal become available for adoption?

When a stray animal is brought into the shelter, the animal is held 3 business days for a possible owner to reclaim. After 3 business days, the animal may be evaluated on his/her behavior. If the animal passes the behavior evaluation, then the animal will be made available for adoption. The animal will stay at the shelter as long as the animal displays good behavior and health.

Is poultry or livestock allowed in the city limits of Sacramento?

No, poultry and livestock are NOT allowed in the city limits of Sacramento.

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Page last modified 11/21/2009 at 7:14 AM