Animal Control
What Does Animal Control Do?
- Investigates, prevents and stops animal neglect and cruelty
- Rescues animals that are in danger, sick or injured
- Educates the public about animal welfare
- Enforces animal-related laws by educating pet owners, issuing citations and, if needed, impounding animals
- Protects public health by removing deceased animals from public by-ways
- Protects the public from dangerous animals
- Mediates disputes neighbors have about animals
- Assists other law enforcement agencies in situations where animals are involved
We respond to citizen concerns about:
- Dogs at large or in traffic
- Barking dogs
- Found or unwanted dogs or cats
- Aggressive animals
- Deceased, injured and sick animals
- Animal attacks and bites
- Animal cruelty and neglect
Dog Licenses
The Canyon County Ordinance requires that all dogs that reside in Canyon County be licensed.
EVERY dog in the city of Nampa, Caldwell, Parma, Middleton, and Melba as well as rural Canyon County must obtain and display a Canyon County canine license at the age of 3 months. Residents of Greenleaf, Notus, and Wilder should contact their city hall for licensing requirements. Failure to provide a license for your canine, and keep it current, may result in a misdemeanor fine up to $350.00.
Licenses can be purchased here at CCAS or at many of the Canyon County veterinarian offices. To obtain a license, you need to bring proof of current rabies vaccinations, and proof that the animal has been spayed/neutered.
Benefits of Licensing
- Tells everyone that your dog is not a homeless stray, but a loved pet.
- Animal Control will call and/or send a letter if your lost dog comes to the shelter.
- Enables Animal Control to protect your neighborhood from dangerous animals and investigate animal bites.
- Helps pay for the care and adoption of homeless animals.
- Supports investigations of animal cruelty, neglect and abandonment.
- Supports educational programs covering humane ethics and animal safety.
Dog Licensing Fees
| 1 Year | 3 Year | |
| Spay/Neutered | $7.50 | $20.00 |
| Fertile | $35.00 | $90.00 |
Ordinances You Should Know
DOG LIMITS: In the Nampa city limits you are allowed 2 adult dogs per household. Outside of the Nampa city limits, you are allowed 3 adult dogs per household. To apply for a kennel license, visit either the Canyon County Planning and Zoning office or the City of Nampa Planning and Zoning office, whichever would apply to your situation.
THE LEASH LAW: In the cities of Nampa and Caldwell, a dog that's off the property of the owner is required to be on a physical leash. One end of the leash must be attached to the dog, and the other end in the hand of a person capable of controlling the dog.
In rural Canyon County, the dog must be in verbal and/or physical control by the handler at all times when off the property.
BARKING: A canine is considered to be in violation of Animal Control ordinance when it barks, whines, howls, or becomes a nuisance if the owner fails to reasonably care and control the noise.
DANGEROUS DOGS: Dogs that pose a reasonably significant threat of causing serious injury to humans, domestic animals and livestock are identified and subjected to restrictions in order to prevent initial or additional injuries. For specific information regarding these codes, refer to Vicious Dog Ordinance, available at CCAS.
ANIMAL BITES AND QUARANTINE: Any victim bitten by an animal, and the owner of any animal which bites a human, must report the incident to Animal Control immediately. An animal that bites and draws blood or breaks the skin must be quarantined (at CCAS or a veterinary clinic) up 15 days from the time of the bite.