Milwaukee County Dog and Cat Licensing

Pet Licensing FAQ – Milwaukee County

Pet Licensing FAQ

Milwaukee County – Everything You Need to Know

All dogs and cats over 5 months of age in Milwaukee County must be licensed annually. This requirement applies to all 19 municipalities in Milwaukee County.

Important: Wisconsin State Statute requires that all dogs and cats over five months of age must have a current rabies tag and license tag – it’s the law!

All municipalities in Milwaukee County use the same fee structure:

Pet Type & Age Altered (Spayed/Neutered) Intact (Can Breed)
Dogs & Cats over 5 months $12 $24
Puppies/Kittens 5 months old after July 1 $6 $12
Late Fees: After April 1st, late fees are assessed:
  • $6 late fee for altered animals
  • $12 late fee for intact animals
Processing Fee: A $1.00 processing fee is added to all online & mail-in licenses.

Your pet’s license expires on December 31st each year. You need to get a new license every year for each dog and cat over 5 months that you own.

Key Dates to Remember:
  • December 31: Current licenses expire
  • April 1: Late fees begin
  • July 1: Young pet licensing deadline

Pet licensing provides multiple important benefits:

  • FREE pet return service: If your animal is wearing a current license when found, MADACC will bring your pet home once a year for FREE as part of our Licensing Incentive Program
  • Easy reunification: A tagged animal is much easier to reunite with their owner
  • Pet protection and safety: Licenses provide identification for your pet’s protection
  • Community support: Fees fund rescue, shelter, and care for lost, injured, abandoned, and mistreated animals
  • Resource allocation: Provides important information on pet populations to help allocate government resources for pet-related programs

You have several convenient options:

“ONE-STOP” Program at MADACC:

Get licensing, rabies vaccination (required for licensing), and microchipping all in one visit!

Note: Please leave your pet at home unless you’re getting them a rabies shot during walk-in hours.

  • Online: Use our convenient online pet licensing system
  • Mail-in: Send your application by mail
  • In person: Visit MADACC or one of our partner veterinarians
  • Partner vets: Many local veterinarians can sell pet licenses
License Online Find Partner Vets

Don’t worry! Current pet license tags can be replaced at MADACC for just $2.

It’s important to keep your pet’s license tag on their collar at all times to ensure they can be quickly reunited with you if found.

To license your pet, you’ll typically need:

  • Current rabies vaccination certificate (required by law)
  • Spay/neuter certificate (if applicable, for reduced fees)
  • Previous license information (for renewals)
  • Contact information (your current address and phone number)
Remember: Rabies vaccination is required before licensing. MADACC can provide this service during your licensing visit.

Pet licensing is required by Wisconsin State Statute. Unlicensed pets:

  • Are not in compliance with state law
  • Cannot benefit from the FREE pet return service
  • May be subject to additional fees if found as strays
  • Are harder to reunite with owners if lost
The good news: It’s never too late to license your pet! Even if you’re past the deadline, you can still get licensed (though late fees may apply after April 1st).