We ask residents to follow several safety laws regarding cat and dog ownership in the City of Wauwatosa.

Pets must be leashed at all times

Pets may not run loose on any public property, with the exception of designated dog parks. Pets must be confined by a leash, pen, or fence while on your property.

You may only own 3 animals

You may not possess more than a total of 3 cats or dogs or a combination thereof in any residence, apartment, or property.  This includes foster animals. 

Pets are required to be vaccinated against rabies

You must have your pet vaccinated by a veterinarian within 30 days of the animal reaching five months of age and re-vaccinated as required. 

Pet bites are reportable incidents

You are required to report any incident of a bite, attack or injury to the Wauwatosa Police Department (stop by in person or call 414-471-8430).

An annual license is required for all cats and dogs

You can obtain a license through the Wauwatosa City Hall Treasurer’s Office. Pets must have visible license tags attached to a collar. Additional information can be found at the Dog & Cat Licensing website

Pet owners are required to clean up after their pet

You are required to remove your animal's excrement from public property or the property of another person. 

Besides following the local law, cleaning up pet waste helps keep our waterways clean. When left on the sidewalk or grass, rainwater washes pet waste through storm sewers and into nearby ponds, rivers, and lakes. As it decays and combines with warm water, pet waste uses oxygen and releases ammonia which can kill fish and other aquatic species.

Report issues

Please call the non-emergency police number for animal reporting at (414)-471-8430. You can also submit an Animal Nuisance Report about the number of dogs or cats in a home. 

Please fill out this service request form to report an animal issue, and a member of the Wauwatosa Health Department will investigate the issue and respond to you.