Animal Control

It's the law! In accordance with City Municipal Codes, all dogs and cats that reside in the City of La Crosse must be licensed yearly by April 1. City Ordinance allows up to four (4) of any combination of dogs or cats per residence. Licenses are issued for one calendar year and expire each December 31.

When do I need to purchase a license?

• Within 30 days of obtaining a cat or dog or within 30 days of establishing residency in the City of La Crosse.
• New puppy or kitten licensing must be done when the animal is 5 months old.
• Once a cat or dog has been licensed in the City, they must be licensed on a yearly basis no later than April 1. A $25.00 late fee per pet will be assessed on April 1st.

The following fees apply:

• Cat/Dog (Spayed/Neutered): $12.00
• Cat/Dog (Not-Spayed/Not-Neutered): $23.00
• Kitten/Puppy: the fee is cut in half if the kitten or puppy reaches licensable age after July 1st of the license year

This can be paid online through PetData, or it can be paid in person at the City of La Crosse Treasurer's office. The Treasurer's Office accepts cash, check or credit cards (fees will apply). For questions, please call (608) 789-7528.

The City of La Crosse has partnered with PetData to deliver a more convenient option in licensing your pet(s).

To license online, visit the PetData website, enter your zip code and click “online” under License Now. You can register multiple pets at the same time and easily upload required documents. All major credit cards are accepted, and a small convenience fee will apply per transaction.

To license by mail, simply mail a copy of your pet’s current rabies certificate, any applicable documentation, and a check payable to “City of La Crosse Treasurer” to:

City of La Crosse Animal Licensing
C/O PetData
PO Box 141929
Irving, TX 75014

• Driver's License or valid I.D.
• Current Rabies Certificate
• Payment
• Proof from Veterinarian that your pet is spayed or neutered (if Rabies Certificate does not reflect that)

How do I get a replacement tag?

You may obtain a replacement tag by sending a check or money order payable to “City of La Crosse Treasurer" in the amount of $2.00 to the mailing address below. Please do not send cash. You may include either a copy of your prior license receipt or a note to designate the pet for which you are purchasing a replacement tag. If you need assistance, you may call customer service toll-free at (833) 991-0937.

City of La Crosse Animal Licensing
c/o PetData
PO Box 141929
Irving, TX 75014-1929

Can I transfer a license?

Licenses may not be transferred from one owner to another owner or from one pet to another pet.

How long is a license valid?

License are valid from January 1st through December 31st and are due by January 1st annually.

Where is the local animal shelter?

The animal shelter for the City of La Crosse is located at the following address:

Coulee Region Humane Society
911 Critter Ct.
Onalaska, WI 54650

Who is PetData?

In 2020, the City of La Crosse began utilizing PetData to promote animal licensing to increase the cost-effectiveness of the program and to provide additional service to La Crosse citizens.

PetData, Inc., headquartered in Dallas, Texas, provides animal licensing services for municipalities and animal welfare agencies throughout the United States. The company, a member of the National Animal Control Association, has been in business since 1994. PetData’s goals are to increase animal licensing, to reduce animal euthanasia, to educate the community, and to help solve animal control problems.

If you need assistance, contact:

• (608) 789-8697
  • Regular Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Animal Control Technician Ava Giminski
• (608) 782-7575
  • Outside of Business Hours
  • La Crosse County Non-Emergency Dispatch

If a person or pet was bitten by a bat, call non-emergency dispatch at (608) 782-7575. For bat removal, call a private pest service.

What do I do if there has been a bat exposure?

To determine if a bat exposure requires rabies testing, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Rabies Exposure website.

If you have a bat stuck in your house, contact local pest control services to have it removed.

I have found a pet, what should I do?

If the pet that you have found is wearing a City of La Crosse license (cat) or La Crosse County (dog) license, you can enter the tag number online with PetData by visiting their website.  If you need assistance, you may call Pet Data office at (833) 991-0937.

I have lost a pet, what should I do?

If an Animal Control Technician finds your pet, and your pet is wearing a current license tag on its collar, Animal Control will contact you. If another citizen finds your pet with its license tag, they may call Animal Control at (608) 789-8697 or lookup the tag number through our online tag search.

If your pet has been lost, Animal Control recommends that you visit the shelter to look for your pet at least every other day. Sheltering of strays for the City of La Crosse is provided by Coulee Region Humane Society and they can be reached at (608) 781-4014 regarding your pet.

What should I do if I find injured wildlife?

Contact Coulee Region Humane Society at (608) 781-4014.

Who can I contact for pest control services?

You can contact any local pest control company for infestation type calls/concerns.

The following list includes links to the City of La Crosse ordinances related to Animals within the City:

• Sec. 6-10 Nuisances generally
• Sec. 6-36 License or permit tags
• Sec. 6-37 Limitation on number of household dogs and cats
• Sec. 6-38 Dogs and cats at large; restraint
• Sec. 6-67 License Required
• Sec. 6-128 Rabies vaccination required
• Sec. 6-129 Animal bites
• Sec. 6-159 Cruelty to animals
• Sec. 6-162 Shelter required
• Sec. 6-163 Shade required