Dog & Cat Owner Responsibility

Dog and cat owners have a responsibility to provide their pets a healthy, safe life, as well as their neighbors a dog and cat free existence. Lake Geneva dog and cat ordinances underline this concept and when obeyed, prevent serious consequences such as:

• Injured, lost or stolen dogs or cats
• Injured, aggravated and/or annoyed citizens and neighbors
• Owner's liability for damages caused by their animals such as dog/cat bites
• Quarantine and laboratory expenses incurred for dog or cat bite cases
• Dangerous diseases such as rabies
• Fines for keeping unlicensed animals; A maximum of any combination of 3 dogs and/or cats (over 6 months of age) are permitted by right for any 1 residential unit

Rabies Vaccination Tag

The Law: Every dog and cat in the City of Lake Geneva must have a current vaccination against Rabies and must wear their Rabies Tag.

Your Responsibilities:

• Have a certified veterinarian vaccinate your dog or cat
• Dogs and cats must be vaccinated within 30 days after reaching five months of age.
• Each dog or cat vaccinated at less than one year of age shall be re-vaccinated 12 months after the initial vaccination.
• After the initial rabies vaccination, every dog and cat shall be vaccinated at 3-year intervals with a 3-year vaccine or at one year intervals with a 1-year vaccine.
• Attach your dog's or cat's rabies vaccination tag to its collar.
• Save your dog's or cat's written rabies certificate.

Dog / Cat License Tag

The Law: Every dog and cat owner must purchase a license for their dog or cat when it reaches the age of 5-months. The license must be renewed on an annual basis.

Your Responsibility:

Purchase and receive Dog and Cat License Tags in person at:

Lake Geneva City Hall
626 Geneva Street
Lake Geneva WI 53147
Phone: 262-248-3673

Renew your license annually. License is valid for 1 year from January 1 through December 31. If you no longer have your dog or cat, please call 262-248-3673 so our record may be kept current.

To obtain a Dog or Cat License Tag you must submit:

• Dog/cat current rabies vaccination certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian or anti-rabies clinic.
• The certificate must show:
  1. The Manufacturer's Name
  2. The Serial Number and Expiration Date of the Rabies Vaccine
  3. Date the Next Rabies Vaccination is Due
• Written proof of animal's spaying or neutering, if applicable.
• The Correct License Fee

License Fees

Dog or Cat Bites

• All dog or cat bites must be reported immediately to the Lake Geneva Police Department
• All dog and cat owners are subject to rabies quarantine procedures in the event of a dog or cat bite

Rules to Follow in the City of Lake Geneva

• Keep your dog or cat quiet. Be a good neighbor and promote peace in the neighborhood
• Confine your dog or cat within your premises by keeping your pet chained, tethered or enclosed in a proper enclosure so as to prevent it from interfering with the passing public or neighbors.
• Your dog or cat will be considered running at large if it is not on a leash and under control of a person physically able to control it, except when confined on your premises in accordance with other requirements of the ordinance.
• Keep your pet from prohibited areas such as playgrounds, schools, cemeteries and parks specified in ordinance 02-39
• Immediately remove your pet's waste when excreted on property other than your own
• Prevent the accumulation of your pet's waste
• Maintain pens and enclosures in a clean and sanitary condition
• Always provide your pet sufficient food and fresh water
• Dogs and cats kept outside must be provided adequate shade and shelter
• All chains or tethers must be at least 10 feet long, have a swivel at both ends and shall not weigh more than one-eighth of the animal's body weight
• Choker collars shall not be used for dogs or cats while chained or tethered
• Never abuse, abandon or neglect a dog or cat

Never leave a dog or cat enclosed or unattended in any type of vehicle where the air temperature inside or outside will cause the dog or cat to be exposed to extreme weather conditions. On a warm day the temperature in a car can reach 160 degrees in a matter of minutes. With a partially open window and only hot air to breathe, your dog or cat can quickly suffer heatstroke which may cause brain damage.

The City of Lake Geneva Police Department is concerned about the health, welfare and safety of dogs and cats as well as the citizens in the City of Lake Geneva. This agency provides information to the public, enforces City of Lake Geneva ordinances and responds to complaints involving:

• Stray Dogs and Cats
• Vicious Dogs and Cats
• Cruelty/Neglect
• Abandonment
• Other Dog and Cat Complaints

For More Information contact the City of Lake Geneva Police Department at 262-248-4455.

For Licensing Information contact the City of Lake Geneva City Hall at 262-248-3673.

Penalty for Violation

There shall be a forfeiture of $100 plus court costs for violation of the ordinances of the City of Lake Geneva Municipal Code.

This information is intended to provide dog and cat owners with a simplified review of the ordinances relating to dogs and cats. It does not contain all the requirements and provisions of regulations applicable to dogs and cats. For a review of the regulations that would apply to your particular situation, please refer to Chapter 10 of the City of Lake Geneva municipal code book.