The St. Joseph County Animal Control provides a variety of enforcement, educational, and animal disposition services including dog licensing, cruelty and complaint investigation and animal adoption. Animal Control staff enforce the Animal Control Ordinance as adopted by the Board of Commissioners.

The St. Joseph County Animal Ordinance contains specific provisions and regulations for Dog Licensing, Kennel Licensing, Animal Impoundment, Animal Restraint, Animal Care, Wild/Exotic Animal Permits and Ownership, and other provisions and regulations.

The city, village or township where you live may have its own ordinance that outlines additional provisions and regulations that expand upon the St. Joseph County Animal regulations. The enforcement of regulations set by entities other than the St. Joseph County Animal Control may not be performed by the St. Joseph County Animal Control.

**The St. Joseph County Animal Control does not enforce pet or animal rules, provisions and/or regulations set by neighborhood charters, apartment complexes or mobile home parks. **The St. Joseph County Animal Control does not do nuisance animal removal.

Please contact the St. Joseph County Animal Control at (269) 467-6475 or your city, village or township office for more information.

Resources

• Animal Control Advisory Board
• St. Joseph County Animal Ordinance (PDF)
• Animal Control Fee Schedule - Effective November 15, 2012 (PDF)
• Mail-in Dog License Application (PDF)

Department Contacts