License Application (PDF)
The following is basic information to help all Madera County
residents become aware of their legal responsibilities as
pet owners:
Licensing Requirements
All Madera County dog owners must purchase a license for
each dog over 4 months of age. A current rabies certificate,
valid for the entire license period, is needed before you
can get a license. If you are a new resident to Madera County
or you obtain a new dog, you have 30 days to purchase a
license, after which a $20.00 late fee is charged in addition
to the license fee itself.
Licenses can be purchased year round for one or two years.
The rabies vaccination must be valid for the entire duration
of the licensing. In order to license your dog, you will
need to present us with a current rabies vaccination certificate
from a licensed veterinarian.
The certificate must show the date of vaccination, its
expiration date, the type of vaccine used, the lot number
and the veterinarian's name, license number, and signature.
Click here for
the printable license form (PDF). Mail or bring the completed
application, a current rabies certificate, spay
or neuter certificate and the amount indicated on the
fee schedule (please do not mail cash) to:
Madera County Animal Control
14269 Road 28
Madera, CA 93638
License fees are as follows:
All licenses must be renewed within sixty (60) days of
their expiration date or a $20.00 late fee is charged in
addition to the license itself.
Please make sure your dog wears his license tag at all
times. This number is on record at the County Shelter and
is your dog's ticket home should he/she become lost.
Rabies Vaccinations
As there are always several confirmed positive rabies cases
every year in Madera County, all dogs over four months of
age are required to have a current rabies vaccination. Dogs
under one year old must have a primary rabies vaccination
followed in one year by a second rabies vaccination which
is good for three years.
While it is not currently required for cats to have a rabies
vaccination, it is highly recommended. Cats are at as much
risk, if not more, than dogs due to their roaming habits.
Please contact your veterinarian for recommended vaccination
schedules.
Dog Control & Leash Law Enforcement
All dogs in Madera County are expected to be under control
at all times. They must be confined to your property. If
you take them off your property, to go for a walk for example,
they must be on a leash. Any dog found running at large
can be impounded at the County Shelter or returned to its
owner with a citation.
Dogs picked up in violation of the leash law may be redeemed
at the shelter at 14269 Road 28 in Madera. Dogs brought
in without identification are held for five (5) working
days. Dogs with ID or known owners are held for ten (10)
working days. Dogs unclaimed at the end of the holding period
are available for adoption to responsible homes or can be
euthanized after this time.
Animals In Vehicles
California law requires your dog to be safely enclosed
in a moving vehicle or restrained to prevent them from falling,
jumping or being thrown from the vehicle. You can be cited
for allowing your dog to ride in the back of an open vehicle
unrestrained. Leaving animals in an enclosed vehicle in
hot weather can be deadly. Leave windows open and
park in the shade whenever possible. Limit car rides to
when it is safe for your pet.
Accidents Involving Animals
If you hit a dog or any other animal with a car or truck,
you must stop and report the incident to the animal's owner,
the police or to Madera County Animal Control immediately.
Animal Abuse
If you see or suspect that someone is abusing or neglecting
an animal, contact Madera County Animal Control immediately.
Our officers regularly investigate these cases and enforce
state anti-cruelty laws.
Aggressive Dogs
Anyone who encounters and/or has problems with aggressive
dogs can file a complaint with Madera County Animal Control.
Officers will investigate each complaint and take appropriate
action towards the dog's owner.
Barking Dogs
Barking dogs are considered a public nuisance. Please contact
Madera County Animal Control if you have such a problem.
Officers will attempt to help the dog's owner resolve the
problem. However, if there is no owner response, the complaining
party may request a complaint form which can be referred
to the District Attorney for prosecution.
Eliminating problems is time-consuming and sometimes frustrating,
but you will succeed in time. Comfort yourself with the
knowledge that you are making your dog a better pet, neighbor
and citizen.
Puppy: The best time to attack the problem is during
puppy hood. Let your puppy sound his warning signals for
a second or two, then reassure him with a few calming words:
"It's all right, Spot." He will feel he has done
his job and you have done yours by responding.
Continues to Bark for No Good Reason: If he barks
for no good reason while you are walking him or during the
day, there are various ways to stop him. Scolding is usually
enough. Speak directly to him with a commanding "Quiet!"
If he still doesn't get the idea, demonstrate by holding
his mouth closed (being careful not to cut off his breathing
passages) for a moment. Remember that you are teaching,
not punishing, so don't further excite him by yelling or
hitting him. He will soon learn that silence pleases you
and earns him a reward.
Barks At Any Little Noise: The dog who barks at
any little noise he hears needs extra special attention.
This type of barking problem is best resolved by setting
up the conditions under which you know he will bark. For
example: arrival of the mailman or other service employee,
clanking cars going by, or the neighbor's dog. When he begins
to bark tell him firmly "Quiet!", and be ready
to enforce the command with correction. Until he knows the
meaning of the word and knows that you will enforce it,
take a folded magazine or newspaper and smack your own hands
(not him) smartly, at the same time giving the command "Quiet!"
Backyard Dog: Too often backyard dogs do a great
deal of night time barking or howling. If your dog barks
for no apparent reason, place him inside your house or garage
to maintain neighborly relations during your absence. You
might also consider a "doggie door" that will
allow a pet freedom of movement, and protect the house inside
and out.
Barks When Nobody's Home: Leave a radio playing
softly when you go out. Always leave some of the dog's favorite
toys in the room for him to play with. Having other playmates
like another dog or cat will also help to ease his loneliness.
If he barks continuously in your absence and also has other
problems like inappropriate elimination or destroying items,
then he may be suffering from separation anxiety. Please
confer with your veterinarian on behavior modification and
anti-anxiety medications that will help him to cope with
his stress.
The Tied Up Dog: If for some reason your dog must
be tied up in the yard for a short period of time, make
sure he will be as comfortable as possible. Often, dogs
who are tied up do a great amount of barking. To reduce
the probability of his barking, make sure he has sufficient
shelter which he can enter and exit comfortably. Keep a
fresh bowl of water and food nearby. And most important
of all, be absolutely positive his rope is not too short
or too long. Take the time needed to be sure that he is
not too crowded, causing him to step in his own food, water
and feces. As a result, he will feel like a king in his
own home, thus giving him one less reason to bark, howl
or cry. Dogs who are tied up for long periods of time will
show the effects of such prolonged tying up by developing
bizarre, stereotyped movements and they will become aggressive.
Remember that your tone of voice is important when giving
commands. Dogs inherently want to please their owner but
first they must understand what it is that you are telling
them.
If behavioral modification, changing environment, and satisfying
the many needs of your pet have still not resolved the barking
problem, you might consider the use of a barking collar.
These collars send a small amount of electrical current
into the dog when it is activated by the mechanical movement
of the dog's throat when creating a bark. They can be very
effective when used correctly.
Contacting Us  |
Madera
County Department of Animal Control
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