Frequently Asked Questions

Animal Control is located within the Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department building at 3131 O Street . The facility is within Woods Park Place and next to Woods Park at 33rd and O Streets.

The Capital Humane Society is located at 2320 Park Blvd, which is approximately near 6th and South Street. Their phone number is 402-441-4488.

Animal Control Officers are on routine patrol from 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. five days a week and 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Sat/Sun. There is also an officer on stand-by duty after 11:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and after 5pm on Sat/Sun to respond to emergency calls such as injured domestic animals, bites, and bats.

The office, (located at 3131 O Street) is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The office is closed on all City holidays and on weekends. You can call the office from 7:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. (M-F), or 8:30 p.m. - 5:00 a.m. (Sat/Sun) for general information, license questions, to report lost and found animals, changes in address or ownership, or assistance.

Phone 402-441-7900
Fax 402-441-8626

We regulate uncontrolled domestic animals, investigate bites and attacks by aggressive animals, investigate reports of animal nuisance and cruelty, pick up stray and unlicensed animals, rescue injured animals, pick up dead animals, keep records of lost/found cats and dogs, licensing of cats and dogs, enforce city ordinances, remove wildlife, give animal information and referrals, and promote responsible pet ownership through education.

To have an Animal Control Officer respond to a complaint, call the office at 402-441-7900. A dispatcher will dispatch an officer to investigate your complaint. If the officer sees a violation when he/she arrives, appropriate action will be taken. Because most animal ordinances are considered misdemeanors, our officers cannot take any legal action unless they actually witness a violation in progress. This does not mean nothing can be done about a violation. Citizens can fill out noise logs for barking dogs and send them to Animal Control at 3131 O Street. An Animal Control Officer will then follow up on the complaint or issue a citation. Information will then go to the City Attorney who will decide if charges will be issued.

If you provide good photographic evidence which shows a dog running at large for example, an Animal Control Officer may be able to issue a citation based on such evidence. If still pictures are taken, the photos should have the date, time, location, address of animal owner, and name of owner, if known on the back of the photo plus who took the photo. Videos need to have the date and time shown on the tape and attached paper explaining what is being shown, the location, address of animal owner, and name of owner if known. In case of a dog at large, the photographic evidence should clearly show the animal off the owners property.  Barking dog logs will need to be completed prior to citations being issued.  Complainant will need to be willing to testify in court.

Go to the Capital Humane Society or call the Animal Control office at 402-441-7900. We will try to determine if an animal fitting the description of your animal was picked up and impounded. Please be mindful that it is very difficult to identify animals due to discrepancies and variations in descriptions. The best way to ensure the safe return of your lost animal is to have a city pet license on the animal.

In most cases, animals wearing tags can be returned to the owner instead of being impounded. If no one is home, the officer will leave a note on the door advising that the animal was picked up. If the officer is unable to access the pet tag information immediately and cannot leave a note, the owner will be notified by telephone as soon as the information is obtained. If the animal is wearing tags, the owner will be notified within twenty-four (24) hours. Please remember, animals will sometimes lose their tags or have them removed by someone. Even if your animal leaves home wearing a collar and tags, there is always a chance the collar may not be on when the animal is picked up.

Impounded animals are held for three days when picked up. You should also contact the Capital Humane Society at 402-441-4488. Even though they do not pick up animals, they will frequently take in a stray animal that has been found by a citizen and brought to their facility. They are located at 2320 Park Blvd near the intersection of 6th and South Streets.  You can also check on social media, Facebook, to look at the different sites for lost/found pets.

The impoundment fee to reclaim an animal is $40.00 for the first impoundment and $20.00 for each day the animal is held at the Capital Humane Society shelter. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted for impoundment fees.

The City of Lincoln defines this as "Run at Large" and is defined within Ordinance 6.02.490.

Cats are only allowed to roam if they are wearing a current city pet license and have been spayed or neutered.

All dogs, cats, and ferrets over the age of 3 months need a rabies vaccination and only dogs and cats need city pet license at 6 months of age. The rabies vaccination is given by your veterinarian. City tags may be purchased at the Capital Humane Society, and Animal Control. To purchase a city tag, you must present proof of a valid rabies vaccination. If the animal has been spayed or neutered, you must also present written proof in order to get the tag at a reduced rate. For license fees, see the Permits & Licensing page.

Anyone bringing a dog or cat into the city has 30 days to purchase a city pet license if they intend to keep the animal in the city for more than 30 days. Licenses are due 1 year from the date of purchase.

You are allowed to have up to 3 adult dogs (more than 6 months old) at one residence. A permit to own more dogs is available to those having over one acre of land. There is a limit of 5 adult cats that can be kept at a residence. A maximum of 15 adult cats is allowed with two types of permits. Multi-cat household permit is required for more than 5 adult cats with the requirement all be spayed or neutered. If 2 or more adult cats are being housed at a residence that are not altered (not spayed or neutered), a cattery permit is required. All cats must be licensed and individuals with a permit can not allow their cats to run at large. These permits are available at Animal Control and do require a yearly inspection.

Animal Control has restrictions on the types of animals that can be kept in the city. A pot- bellied pig is swine which is prohibited in Lincoln. Before acquiring any animal other than a dog or cat, be sure to check with Animal Control to make sure you can legally keep the animal in your neighborhood. Generally speaking the following are illegal: all poisonous snakes and reptiles including alligators and similar animals; all primates; all bears; all wild or exotic cats including hybrids; all wild canines and hybrids such as wolf crosses; and all wild native and exotic animals such as raccoons, skunks, otters, opossums, bats, deer, and antelopes.

No, Animal Control does not adopt pets, this is a function of the Capital Humane Society. During the required holding periods for impounded animals, you can sign up on a waiting list for animals at the Humane Society. At the end of the holding period you will be notified and could adopt the pet at that time. Please check with the Humane Society regarding fees for adopting animals.

All animal bites are to be reported. If you or any family member are bitten, call Animal Control at 402-441-7900 immediately.

There can be a public health risk within any animal bite. Any animal that bites someone must be placed in quarantine for a 10-day period and cannot be removed from the city unless permission is granted by Animal Control during this period. An Animal Control Officer will respond to complete the paperwork. If medical treatment is required, the doctor or hospital providing the treatment should report the incident. Every attempt should be made to identify the animal so the owner can be contacted and the animal is placed under observation for rabies quarantine. If a wild animal is involved and cannot be located, you will be advised by Animal Control to discuss options with your health care provider.

The bite should be reported by calling Animal Control at 402-441-7900.

The animal must be placed in quarantine for a period of 10 days. This quarantine is required even if the animal has been vaccinated for rabies. You may be able to keep the animal at your home under certain circumstances and if the license and rabies vaccination are current. If you don't have a current license or a current rabies vaccination, you can either board the animal at a veterinarian's office or have it quarantined at the Humane Society. Boarding fees at veterinarian's vary and are the responsibility of the animal owner. The fee for boarding an animal at the Humane Society is $20.00 per day and is also the responsibility of the animal owner. After the bite report is completed, Animal Control will follow up on the observation and release the animal from quarantine at the end of the quarantine period.

Distemper is a virus commonly found in raccoons and is the number one cause of natural death in raccoons. Raccoons that have distemper can be commonly mistaken for having the rabies virus. A blood test is needed for positive diagnoses.

The most noticeable symptoms of the distemper virus are the last to set in. Neurological problems will occur when the disease process is coming to an end and causes the raccoon to come out of hiding and in the middle of the day. Raccoons at this phase of the virus have seizures that affect the entire body, are more aggressive, and will attack without being provoked. In the early stages of distemper raccoons will have a mucous like discharge coming from their mouths, eyes and noses.

The distemper virus cannot be transmitted from animals to humans however it can be easily transmitted from animal to animal. There a large number of raccoons that reside in the city and are often reported to Animal Control.

Pet owners are encouraged to have their dogs and cats vaccinated to prevent the possibility of them contracting the distemper virus.

If you are uncertain about your pet's vaccination status and/or if you have questions about your pet's health call your veterinarian.

Any property damage or personal injury caused by an animal is the responsibility of the owner of the animal causing the damage or injury per state statute. There is an ordinance relating to property damage or injury to another animal. However, there is no ordinance relating to personal injury or medical cost. Your options for recovery of personal injury expenses are home owners or health insurance coverage, small claim court, or a personal attorney.

The City of Lincoln defines a "Barking Dog" as "Animal Noise; Disturbing the Peace Prohibited" and is explained within Ordinance 6.04.435.

When Animal Control receives a complaint, a letter is sent to the dog owner, making them aware of the complaint, and a letter to the complainant advising what the next steps are. If the barking continues the complainant must call and an officer will be sent to deliver a noise log. On the third time, an officer will return and possibly issue citations to the dog owner.  Complainant must be willing to testify in court. Neighbors are encouraged to try and resolve differences themselves.

Pet owners must provide proper food, water, and adequate shelter for animals at all times. The animal must be fed at least once every twenty-four (24) hours and have clean, fresh, drinkable water available at all times. Shelter must be a structure that is adequate to provide protection from the weather, keep the animal dry, and well maintained. The size of the shelter must be in proportion to the size of the animal. Inflicting inhumane pain or suffering or failing to provide veterinary care also constitutes cruelty. Violations should be reported by calling Animal Control at 402-441-7900.

A "Potentially Dangerous Dog" is defined within Ordinance 6.02.450 and a "Dangerous Dog" is defined within Ordinance 6.02.160.

Wildlife often tries to coexist with us, even in residential and urban areas. Often our housing and businesses encroach on areas that have been habitat for groups of wild animals for years.

Animal Control will respond to any wildlife call involving an animal that appears to be a public health risk. The level of risk will be determined by Animal Control and the caller. Officers are not authorized to trap healthy or non-threatening wildlife simply for relocation.

Why relocation of wildlife is not recommended

1. It is not an effective solution. If you remove one animal from your property another will come to take its place.
2. You will never succeed in eliminating wildlife from your property as long as you have a source of food or shelter. Fixing holes, capping chimneys, covering trash cans and removing pet food will eliminate wildlife much more effectively.
3. Trapping is indiscriminate - you may trap your neighbor's cat or another animal unrelated to your nuisance problem.
4. It's not fair. Where do we expect wildlife to exist? They are trying to adapt to life with us in their traditional environment, can't we show a little tolerance?
5. It's illegal in the off season! Although widely ignored, all forms of trapping are legally limited to designated hunting and trapping seasons which are designed to allow mothers to rear young without harassment.
6. It is highly stressful to be relocated. Most animals do not survive in unfamiliar territory. Resident animals will drive off the intruder or the animal will not know where to find food and shelter. A recent study shows more than 90% of relocated raccoons die within a short period of time.
7. Even Humane Traps can injure animals - or they can injure themselves trying to escape during the hours they are confined to traps.
8. Trapping out of fear is unfounded. Healthy wild animals have no interest in attacking you, your pets or your children. Their only reason for aggression is self-defense and their first choice is always to escape perceived danger.
9. With a little effort we can coexist with wildlife. If they inconvenience you try to remember their only motive is survival. They have no concept of property or damage.
10. Finally - when you trap and relocate someone's mother might not come home! From early spring until late fall the chances are 50/50 that the animal you trap is a mother whose babies depend on her for survival. Taking a mother away condemns the babies to starvation and death.

Yes, the city does require the owner to clean up after his dog when walking or jogging with his or her pet. The owner must carry something to pickup and carry the dog waste which must be properly disposed of. There is also a sanitation ordinance which requires the owner to clean up the animal manure or feces every 5 days on his property and properly dispose of it.

Lincoln currently has four public dog runs for our canine friends to enjoy. Three of the areas have been recently renovated to successfully open a dog run in each quadrant of the city.  For more information, please go to the City of Lincoln Parks Department.

Deceased animals may be buried if you have an acceptable place available. An owner may bury the household pet on his residential property if such animal weights less than 150 pounds. The animal must be buried with 24 hours and covered by 4 feet of soil at the natural ground level. If this is not possible, the Humane Society provides a disposal service to citizens. The fee for Animal Control is $40.00 for delivery of dogs and cats to the Humane Society. To have an animal picked up call Animal Control at 402-441-7900.

Yes, we do transport owner's animals to the Humane Society. We usually encourage people to turn their animals in at the Humane Society because they stand a better chance of finding a new home there. There is a $40.00 charge to the owner that turns their pet over to Animal Control.

No, this is not a service provided by the City. We do not have the authority or facility to perform this service for pet owners. This must be done by a licensed veterinarian or the Humane Society.

Yes, it is currently lawful for the owner or custodian of a dog to allow such dog to ride in any motor vehicle or in any portion thereof that is open. This includes, but is not limited to, the open bed of a truck, the interior of a convertible vehicle with the top down or removed, the rear storage portion of a station wagon with the tailgate open, and the trunk or hatchback portion of any vehicle with the trunk or hatchback open. However, if the dog is injured from being transported in this manner, you can be cited for cruelty, which has minimum fine of $250. Additionally, if the dog bites someone while left in the back of the pickup and not in an enclosure, you can be cited for having your dog at large.

Fines can be paid at the Clerk of Court's office which is located at 575 S. 10th Street. For information on the amount of a fine, you should contact the City Clerk's office at 402-441-7436.

Animal Control gives priority to situations that are involving the public health and safety of a person or a domestic pet. Loose aggressive dogs, bites, attacks, animals at large, injured or sick stray dogs or cats, possible cruelty situations, and dogs running in heavy traffic or schoolyards are responded to before nuisance concerns. Overall average response time for all types of calls is approximately 30 minutes.

Eligible pet owners can receive a grant paying for most or all of the costs for having their pet spayed or neutered. This program is for those pet owners that are not be able to afford the costs of spaying or neutering their pet. Call 402-441-7900 for more information.