Licensing Your Pet

  • All dogs must be licensed annually by January 30 (per WI law).

  • All cats that reside in the city of Onalaska, the towns of Campbell and Shelby, and the village of Rockland require licensing by January 30, as well.

  • During the grace period between January 1st - April 1st no late fee will be enforced.

  • After April 1, the late fee per pet is $25. A citation, per unlicensed pet, is $250.

  • We can license for everywhere in La Crosse County, just NOT the City of La Crosse. To license in the City of La Crosse click here: https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/your-government/departments/finance/treasurer/pet-licensing

Pet Licensing FAQ's

  • Although it is the law to license resident pets, there are many other important reasons to register your animals:

    A licensed pet ensures that the pet is vaccinated for rabies. Rabies, in almost all cases, is deadly. If a pet is vaccinated and bites a human, being vaccinated vastly improves the odds of the pet not having and/or passing rabies on to a human.

    If a pet is licensed and it is wearing its license tag, the owner of the pet is better able to be determined and find its way back home.

    License fees help to ensure animal control services remain in place for our community. From responding to stray pets running at large to investigating with law enforcement to prosecute animal cruelty and neglect, license fees directly support these services

  • The State of Wisconsin requires every dog over five months of age to be licensed. As for cats, licensing requirements vary by municipality. 

    Cats older than five months of age who reside in the following municipalities are required to be licensed in La Crosse County: Town of Campbell, Wisconsin, City of Onalaska, Wisconsin, Village of Rockland, Wisconsin, Town of Shelby, Wisconsin.

  • In order to obtain your pet’s annual license you need to:

    Demonstrate that your dog or cat has a current rabies vaccination by providing a copy of his/her rabies vaccination certificate when applying.

    Have a driver's license or current state ID. 

  • You can apply for a dog or cat license through your local Treasurer or Clerk.

    You may also apply for a license at our facility during our business hours:

    Weekdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

    Saturday & Sunday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.