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For Pet Owners

Ownership Guide

You cannot own, harbor, or maintain a non-domestic canine such as a pure wolf or wolf-mix in the City of Pittsburgh.
Your are not allowed to own, harbor, or maintain a non-domestic cat or non-domestic cat-mix in the City of Pittsburgh.
You may own a maximum of 5 pets. You can't have more than 5 dogs or cats or any combination within the City limits. Example: You may have 5 dogs or 5 cats. Or you may have 4 dogs and 1 cat. Or 3 cats and 2 dogs. The total number of animals cannot be more than 5.
People or residences who do foster care and placement work with animals must get an exemption permit from the Animal Control Department in order to have more than five animals on their property.
The 5 pet limit does not include a litter of puppies or kittens between the ages of 7 and 12 weeks of age.
All litters of puppies and kittens must be registered with the City Animal Control Department within 10 days of birth. There is no fee to do this.

Your dog must have a City license when it reaches 3 months of age. Dog licenses may be obtained on the License pageor from the City Treasurer's office. Licensing fees are much cheaper for "fixed" dogs (male or female).
You must have proof of your dog's current rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccinations are required by PA state law at 3 months of age.
Dogs are not permitted to run unleashed on public streets, sidewalks, other public places or other people's property.
If you are walking your dog, it must be on a leash or chain not more than 6 feet in length.
Any female dog "in heat" (the times during the year when the female is able to breed and have a litter) must be kept inside.
Refer to "Nuisance Violations" section regarding barking, defecation and digging.

Cats do not have to be licensed.
If you allow your cat to be outside, the cat must have an ID collar or tag that has your name, phone number and address.
You must have proof of your cat's current rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccinations are required by PA state law at 3 months of age.
Any female cat "in heat" (the times during the year when the female is able to breed and have a litter) must be kept inside.

Frequent and habitual barking, howling, screeching, yelping, or baying by a dog, cat or other animals.
Allowing an animal to create offensive odors, excessive noise or unsanitary conditions which are considered dangerous to health, comfort or safety of the public.
Allowing a dog to "go to the bathroom" on school grounds, a City park or other public or private property (It is not considered to be a nuisance violation if you immediately clean up after your dog - called "Poop-Scoop" laws in most communities).
Allowing your pet to scratch, dig or defecate on any lawn, tree, shrub, plant, building or any other public or private property other than that of the owner or person in charge or control of the animal.