Animal Control

About Animal Control

Animal Control supports responsible pet ownership while helping keep animals and the public safe. Services include:

  • Enforcing the animal ordinances for the City of Columbia and Boone County
  • Providing Rabies and animal welfare education
  • Assisting with low cost or free spay and neuter options
  • Investigating animal complaints
  • Handling animal cruelty complaints
  • Picking up sick and/or injured animals
  • Providing free rides home for animals with a microchip, City of Columbia license, or any other identification

Hours of operation and emergencies

  • 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 7 days a week, except on all observed City of Columbia holidays
  • Emergency After Hours Services: An Animal Control Officer is on-call after hours and on holidays for the following emergency situations only:
    • Wildlife inside the living areas of a residence (not outside or in a garage)
    • Large animals running loose on a major roadway
    • Sick or badly injured animals
    • Vicious dogs that are currently running loose
    • Animal bite

      Call 573.449.1888opens phone dialer to reach Animal Control for emergency after hours services.

Lost pets

The Animal Control Division of Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) has a contract with the Central Missouri Humane Society.  This contract is for minor veterinary services, along with housing the animals that are in the custody of Animal Control. There is also a free spay and neuter program available to the public.

If you have lost a pet, you may view the pets currently in our shelter below to see if your animal has been impounded by Animal Control. This service is provided through an agreement with the PetPoint Animal Management System.

Please note: ShelterCare insurance and other advertised products or services are owned by PetPoint Animal Management System and are not affiliated with the City of Columbia. The City of Columbia does not endorse the use of these products or services.

Refer to the animal control fees section for impoundment and boarding fees.

Shelter hours

To release pets to owners are by appointment.  Please call Animal Control at 573.449.1888opens phone dialer to make an appointment.

Shelter address & phone number

Central Missouri Humane Society
573.443.7387opens phone dialer
616 Big Bear Blvd

Pets currently in our shelter

To view pets currently in our shelter, visit https://24petconnect.com and click the “filter” button on the right. Input the 65203 zip code to find pets that list “Columbia Boone County Animal Control” as their location. Please visit the Columbia, Missouri Lost & Found Pets page on Facebook to see additional postings of lost pets.

Animal control complaints

In order to help our Animal Control officers assist you with a complaint, please provide the following information when submitting a complaint by phone at 573.449.1888opens phone dialer or by email at [email protected]create new email.

  • The precise location of the alleged violation
  • Description of the animal (color, size, etc.)

Calls stating,  “there are a lot of dogs running loose on Wild Road,” and then hang up, are not of great value to us. In most cases we will accept and investigate anonymous complaints, however, it is beneficial to have the names of the parties involved for additional information and follow up purposes.

Animal bites

What happens if a dog or cat bites a person?


If the bite happens in the City of Columbia:

Any dog or cat which bites, injures, or attacks any person shall be immediately impounded by the Animal Control Division for a period of 10 days, unless:

  • The dog or cat has a current rabies vaccination that was administered by a licensed veterinarian prior to the time of the bite.
  • A City license issued prior to the time of the bite.
  • The dog or cat was not running loose at the time of the bite.
  • Does not have any prior history of biting a person, injuring another animal, or running loose.
  • The owner agrees to take the animal to a licensed veterinarian 10 days after the bite for a physical.

If the bite happens in Boone County:

Any dog or cat which bites or otherwise injures any human being shall be securely confined by an animal control officer at the county animal shelter or by a licensed veterinarian of the owner’s or possessor’s choice for a period of ten (10) days after the reported bite or injury to a human being for observation for symptoms or manifestations of rabies.
 
  • Owners may be allowed to keep the animal at home for the ten (10) day quarantine period provided the animal has a current rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian prior to the date of the bite and if there has been no past history of biting or running loose.

What should I do if my pet bites me or someone else?

Please notify the Animal Control Office by phone at 573.449.1888opens phone dialer or by e-mail at . Animal bites are serious and should not be taken lightly. Victims of animal bites, however minor, should always consult a physician. 

Rabies Information for Health Care Professionals

Make sure to report all animal bite incidents by calling Animal Control at 573-449-1888.

If you have questions regarding a patient with a possible rabies exposure, please call the Animal Control at the number listed above to help you determine if post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be administered.

Guidelines

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Reminders

  • Call Animal Control at 573-449-1888 to report a bite or to help with exposure assessment
  • Determine if the biting animal can be confined before giving PEP
  • Rabies immune globulin should not be given to previously vaccinated people
  • Report PEP by calling 573-449-1888

Resources

Animal control ordinances

Boone County

City of Columbia

Animal tags and licenses

(Sections 5-28 through 5-65, Columbia Code of Ordinances)

The City of Columbia Code of Ordinances requires that cats and dogs over the age of three (3) months must be licensed. Dogs are licensed for periods up to three (3) years. Cats are normally licensed for one (1) year. The Boone County ordinance does not require licenses, however, it does require that all dogs or cats over three (3) months of age be vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian.

You may apply for a City of Columbia animal license at a veterinarian office located in Columbia, and you may purchase animal tags at Public Health and Human Services, 1005 W. Worley St Columbia, Missouri 65203 and at the City of Columbia Cashier’s Office located on the 1st Floor of the Historic Daniel Boone Building, 701 East Broadway.  You must provide proof of rabies vaccination to the Cashiers Office.

Each licensed veterinarian engaged in such practice within the City shall collect the animal license tax and issue a certificate and metallic tag, to be supplied by the Business License Administrator, evidencing payment of such tax.

No person shall own, keep, harbor or permit to be or remain on or about his premises any dog or cat over three (3) months of age which has not been licensed.

The license fee for each domestic cat or dog between the ages of three (3) months and 12 months and for each neutered domestic cat or dog of any age kept, harbored or owned within the City is $5.00 for any period of time not to exceed one year; and $10.00 for any period greater than one year, but not exceeding two (2) years; and $15.00 for any period greater than two (2) years but not exceeding three (3) years.

The license fee for each domestic cat or dog over the age of 12 months kept, harbored or owned within the city is $15.00 for any period of time not to exceed one year; $30.00 for any period greater than one year, but not exceeding two (2) years; and $45.00 for any period greater than two (2) years but not exceeding three (3) years.

Pet waste

The City of Columbia requires pet owners living within the Columbia city limits to clean up any waste left by their pets when on public or private property not their own.  

Section 5-67 of Chapter 5 of the City of Columbia Code of Ordinances (Ord. No. 14881 § 1, 6-17-96; Ord. No. 14903, § 1, 7-15-96) states,

  1. No person owning or responsible for a dog shall permit the dog to defecate on any public property or right of way or on any private property other than property owned or leased by the person owning or responsible for the dog.
  2. It is a specific defense to a charge of violating this section that the person charged immediately removed the excrement and properly disposed of it in a sanitary manner.
  3. It is a specific defense to a charge of violating this section that the dog involved is a certified working dog trained to assist disabled individuals and that the person charged has a disability which prevents the individual from removing the excrement and properly disposing of it in a sanitary manner.

Pet owners may be issued a fine for violating this ordinance if:

  • Observed doing so by an Animal Control officer
  • If someone else observes the violation taking place and is willing to testify about the matter in Municipal Court. 

Pet waste is a threat to the health of our community

  • Pet waste left on the ground washes into local waterways
  • Pet waste is a major source of E.coli pollution in local streams.

Always use a bag or scooper to clean up your pet’s waste and dispose of it in a nearby trash receptacle. 

Animal control fees

Impoundment/boarding fee

  • $20 per day or part of day AND
  • $35 impoundment fee for each and every impoundment
  • $15 microchip implantation fee, if the animal is a domestic dog or cat that has NOT been implanted with a microchip. The owner must pay the implantation fee, plus the cost of the microchip, BEFORE the animal is released.

License fee

For each domestic cat or dog 3 months to 12 months of age, and for each neutered domestic cat or dog of any age kept, harbored or owned within the City of Columbia
(“Neutered” includes both male and female animals irreversibly rendered incapable of reproduction by surgical or chemical procedure when such is verified in writing by the animal owner):

  • $5 – for any time not to exceed one year
  • $10 – for any period greater than one year but not to exceed two years
  • $15 – for any period greater than two years but not to exceed three years

Each intact domestic cat or dog over the age of twelve months (“Intact” includes both male and female animals not certified in writing by the owner to have been irreversibly chemically or surgically rendered incapable of reproduction):

  • $15 – for any time not to exceed one year
  • $30 – for any period greater than one year but not to exceed two years
  • $45 – for any period greater than two years but not to exceed three years

Spay and neuter assistance

A partnership between the Central Missouri Humane Society and the Animal Control division provides a limited number of vouchers to help get your dog or cat spayed or neutered at no charge. Vouchers are limited to one household per year. 

If you meet any of the eligibility requirements below, please call the Central Missouri Humane Society at 573.443.7387opens phone dialer to make an appointment. You must also be a Columbia or Boone County resident.

  • Missouri EBT Card (Food Stamps)
  • MO Healthnet (Medicaid)
  • WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
  • Temporary Medicaid for Pregnant Women
  • LIHEAP (Low Income Utility Assistance)
  • Temporary or Permanent Disability
  • Social Security & Social Security disability
  • TANF
  • Income Eligible

Additionally, you can contact the Spay Neuter Project at 573.397.6443 or visit spayneuterprojectmo.org for a list of prices for services.

Urban service areas

Urban service areas are those areas immediately surrounding Ashland, Centralia, Columbia, Hallsville, Harrisburg and Sturgeon.

Use the Animal Control Urban Service Area interactive map to determine if you are in the Animal Control Urban Service Area.

Cities

  • Ashland
  • Harrisburg
  • Hartsburg
  • Rocheport

Subdivisions

  • Bon Gor Lake Estates
  • County Downs
  • Hi-Lo Subdivision
  • Hillcreek
  • Hillview Acres
  • Lake Champetra
  • Midway West
  • Roemer Lake
  • Sharidan Hills/Cimmeron Estates
  • Sunrise Estates
  • Sun Valley Estates
  • Sycamore Hills
  • University Estates

Mobile Home Parks:

  • Green Hills
  • Gyger
  • Highhill Circle
  • Highhill East
  • Lake Heights Estates
  • Lakeview
  • Oakridge
  • Parkview
  • Shady Acres
  • Wagon Wheel

Urban service areas shall also include

any other mobile home park or any other recorded subdivision which for purposes of this chapter has been declared an urban service area by order of the Boone County Commission.   Fifty-one percent or more of the real estate owners within such a mobile home park or subdivision may petition for inclusion.  Contact the County Clerk at 573.886.4295opens phone dialer for more information.

Responsible pet ownership

Here are some tips for responsible pet ownership:

  • Daily love and attention
  • Daily food and water
  • Exercise
  • Kept clean, brushed and groomed
  • Disciplined
  • Sheltered from rain, snow, cold and drafts
  • Spayed or neutered
  • Licensed and tagged
  • Regular veterinary care
  • Observe your local Pet Waste law

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

 

Is a rabies shot required even if my dog or cat stays indoors all the time?

Yes, all dogs or cats must have a current rabies vaccination per City and County ordinances. Rabies vaccinations can be for 1-3 years in length.

What is the benefit of having my animal microchipped?

A microchip can easily help Animal Control help return your pet to you if it becomes lost.

Do you do anything with wild animals, such as bats?

Animal Control will respond to wildlife in a person’s living quarters during anytime of the day or night. This especially includes bats.