Animal Ordinance FAQ
The following are questions that are often asked about Animal Control Ordinances and associated fees. If you have further questions that are not listed below, please contact Neil Anthon (City Attorney's Office) at (406) 455-8449.
Frequently Asked Questions
See the Animal Shelter's Pet Owner Resources Page
Copies of the ordinance are available online. A hard-copy of the ordinance can be obtained from the City Clerk’s office, #2 Park Drive South, Room 202, Civic Center Building.
For all permits and registrations, at the Shelter. Registrations may also be obtained from a participating veterinarian.
The Animal Shelter is located at 1010 25th Avenue NE
You can register your puppy or kitten once they are current on rabies vaccines. You must register your cat or dog when they reach four (4) months of age. Failure to register may result in fines on top of the registration fees.
Registrations for service animals and governmental police dogs shall be furnished without charge.
If you are not yet eighteen, a parent or guardian who is over eighteen must co-sign your registration.
No. A non-resident who is not in Great Falls for more than 60 days is not required to register their animal.
No. A pet that is registered is required to either wear a collar and tag or have a microchip implant. However, it is always a good idea to have your pet wear a collar and tag that identifies his owner. Animal Control Officers may not be the ones who find your lost pet. If your pet is wearing a tag and collar bearing your name and contact information, your pet is going to be back home sooner.
Yes. Registrations for animals, like cars, are not transferable.
The license is good for one (1) year from the issue date.
Unless you apply for and receive a multiple animal permit, you are limited to two dogs and two cats over four (4) months of age.
Yes. A landlord has the right to ban all pets from their rentals.
Yes. All dogs and cats over the age of four (4) months need to have current rabies vaccinations.
You must pay a fee based on the number of animals you wish to have and fill out a permit application with the animal shelter. Animal control will then conduct a home inspection. Once the inspection is complete, you will go back to the animal shelter to purchase the permit. If you fail to get the permit and have more than the allowed number of animals, you could be subject to fines. You could also be ordered to surrender your animals to Animal Control.
Dogs and cats over four (4) months old must be registered/licensed. To obtain a license, the owner must complete the registration paperwork, pay the annual fee, and provide proof of rabies vaccination. The owner must be over 18 years of age or have a parent/guardian as the responsible co-owner. Licenses may be obtained through a local vet or the Animal Shelter.
Yes. You are required to obtain a Hobby Breeder Permit no later than ten days of the birth of the litter. Application forms are available at the animal shelter. All animals not intended to be kept by you are required to be sold or given away within four months of their birth. The Hobby Breeder Permit allows you to have up to 4 litters of kittens or 2 litters of puppies per year. It is valid for one year after issuance. If you have more than 2 dogs or 2 cats, you must obtain a standard Multiple Animal Permit as well.
Dogs yes, cats are not required to be on a leash, but they must be confined to the owner's property or be under the physical control of the owner. It is illegal to let pets run at large. Dogs not confined to an enclosure must be on a leash. The leash cannot be longer than ten (10) feet, and it must be securely fastened or held.
You are required to notify animal control and the animal shelter of your move within 30 days. They will then approve, deny or modify your MAP for your new address.
No. You would be required to obtain a kennel license. Planning and community development has forms available for commercial kennel operations. It may not be allowed in your area due to zoning restrictions.
The thoroughness of the inspection depends on the permit request. And the review of the information contained in the request. Asking for 20 dogs may require a more thorough inspection versus someone asking to have four dogs. An apartment complex may require a more thorough inspection than someone living on land with half an acre of lawn.
First, your dog must be on a leash. If your dog “does its business” on public or private property not owned by you, you must remove the feces. Failure to do so could result in fines for failure to have your dog on a leash. And up to an additional fine for failing to clean up their feces.
The owner or occupant is responsible for keeping their property free of feces. The following may happen, if the amount of feces causes odors, an eyesore, or attracts insects or pests. Animal Control will provide the owner or occupant with written notice to clean up the property within 48 hours. Failure to do so can result in fines and impoundment of the animals.
The first time one of your animals gets away, they may be given a free ride home. This is at the discretion of the animal control officer. If your animal is picked up by animal control, you will be subject to the intake fees at the animal shelter.
You may file a complaint with the Great Falls Police Department. Animal control will review the complaint received and may request additional documentation. The Animal Control Officer may, at his or her discretion, investigate any complaint. Once complaints have been reviewed, animal control may issue a written notice to the owner of the nuisance animal. If further complaints are received and verified within fifteen (15) days from the issuance of the written notice, the owner may be subject to citations and fines.
There is a Animal Noise/ Barking Dog Complaint Log on the Animal Control Officers page that you may use to document such incidents.
"Nuisance animal" means any animal or group of animals that behaves in a disruptive or destructive manner. This includes, but is not limited to;
Animals that steal, damage, soil, or defile public or private property
Rummaging through garbage, damaging flower or vegetable gardens
Chasing vehicles or bikes on public streets,ways, or parks
Impedes the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorists
Is inside a public area that prohibits animals, except for an animal registered as a service animal
Animals in heat that are not in a proper enclosure preventing contact with a male of its species
Please refer to the Animal City Ordinance for further details.
Call Animal Control immediately. City ordinances require pet owners to keep their pet in their yard or on a leash. Any animal running free and charging you could result in charges being filed against the pet owner for animal at large. Also, depending upon the circumstances, the owner could be charged with nuisance or dangerous animal violations as well. If you are in reasonable fear for your safety and take defensive action to protect yourself or your dog. The owner of the pet could be charged with dangerous animal. If the dog chased you and your pet, that could be a nuisance animal violation.
The fees are covered in the fee resolution. Refer to the Animal Shelter Fee list at the top of the page.
First you need to stop and render aid if possible. You must notify Animal Control or the Police Department as quickly as possible. Let them know about the collision and the injuries to the animal.
It is prohibited to own, harbor, or maintain a Wild Animal within the incorporated City limits.
Contact Information
EMERGENCY: 9-1-1
NON-Emergency: (406) 455-8599
Mailing Address:
Great Falls Police Department
PO Box 5021
Great Falls, MT 59403
