Animal Control for dogs or cats can be reached at 218-332-5862 during normal business hours.  The city does not trap wildlife. Please contact a private business for trapping and extermination of non-domestic animals.

Take time to read these reminders and do your part to be a responsible pet owner. Keep your pet safe and happy, and protect other citizens (especially the children and elderly) from undue harm and annoyance. By following these simple ordinances, you will likely save yourself from receiving any legal nuisance letters or costly municipal citations.

TO FILE A COMPLAINT RELATED TO ANIMAL CONTROL, CONTACT CITY OF FERGUS FALLS COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL, PH. 218-205-4628, MONDAY-THURSDAY: 7:15AM TO 4:00PM AND FRIDAYS 7:15AM-10:30AM, OR FOR AN ANIMAL CONTROL EMERGENCY AND FOR AFTER HOURS, 218-998-5555

Dogs AND cats must always be restrained according to the City Code. If your pet is found to be at large in violation of this chapter, it will be seized and impounded by Fergus Falls Animal Control. A permit is issued by the Animal Control Officer or another person in charge of the pound for the release of any animal that has been taken to the pound. A RELEASE PERMIT may be obtained upon payment of a fee to the City Administrator in accordance with the regular license requirement if the animal is unlicensed, payment of a release fee, and any maintenance costs incurred in capturing and impounding the animal. The release fee shall be established by resolution, and it may be amended from time to time. The definition of an animal running at large is off the premises of the owner and not under the custody and control of the owner or other person, either by leash, cord, chain, or other restraint or confinement. Be sure to inspect your pets' cages, kennels, leashes, etc. to ensure that they are always properly restrained. This small bit of effort may protect your pet and your neighbors from undue harm and annoyance.

Your pet may be a very special part of your family, but that doesn’t mean your neighbors enjoy him/her as much as you do. Please be courteous of the rest of the Fergus Falls residents and keep your pet under control. If your dog is barking continuously, find out why and take care of the problem. Quite often, pets are left outside during the owners’ working hours. Dogs tend to bark when lonely. This is extremely annoying to neighbors. Dogs (and cats) should never be allowed to wander the city…either on their own or with their owners. Disturbance to others' property will not be tolerated. It is your responsibility to pick up after your pet.

Every owner of a dog or cat over the age of 6 months shall procure a dog or cat license from the City Hall or online. Licenses expire on December 31 every two years. Before a license is issued, the owner shall furnish a veterinarian’s certificate showing the dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies. We often hear from cat owners, “My cat never goes outside, so do I still need a pet license?” The answer to this is yes. All cats and dogs within the city limits must be licensed and show proof of rabies immunization.

It is unlawful for any person to own, keep, or harbor at any time more than a combination of City Code allows a maximum of four pets. This can be three dogs and one cat, three cats and one dog, or two cats and two dogs. All pets must be licensed and have proof of rabies vaccination. Number allowed per dwelling unit. It shall be unlawful for any person, or a combination of any persons who reside at a residence, to own, harbor, or keep more than three dogs or three cats or more than a combination of four dogs and cats at any dwelling unit. This division (C)(1) does not apply to a fresh litter of pups or kittens, which may be kept for a period of three months before that keeping shall be deemed to be a kennel. Any other excuses pertaining to this code WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

Pet licensing of dogs and cats over the age of 6 months is required by City Code.  You can either license your pet online or in person at City Hall during normal business hours.  Proof of rabies vaccination is required. The cost to purchase a pet license for spayed or neutered animals is $10.00 while the fee for pets that are not spayed or neutered is $20.00.  There is no fee for pet owners age 65+.  However, we still require you to register your dog or cat.  Pet licenses are good for two years.

City residents who live in R-1 and R-2 zones can apply for a license to keep chickens and quail on their property.

A maximum of 4 chickens or quail (no roosters) are allowed. 
Licenses are $20 and are good for two years. 

In addition to filling out an application, coops and runs must be inspected by Animal Control and the written consent of all adjacent property owners must be obtained.  

The inspection and paperwork must be completed and approved by the city PRIOR to getting chickens.

Again, please be sure your dog or cat is on a leash.   Animals found running at large will be brought to the Otter Tail County Humane Society.  Owners of animals that reside in the city limits of Fergus Falls will be required to provide record of current rabies vaccinations and current City of Fergus Falls licensing before an animal can be released from the Otter Tail County Humane Society.

If the animal is not current on their licensing or vaccination, the Humane Society will hold the animal until a veterinarian is available to vaccinate, or until the owner can provide a current rabies vaccination record.

There will also be an additional release fee to be paid at City Hall during normal business hours or online before the animal can be released.  The release charge is $25.00 for the first release, $50.00 for the second release and the fee will continue to raise by $25.00 each time your pet needs to be released.