Arvada West

Pet Owners: Be Aware

If you are thinking of adding a cat or dog to your family, or already own a cat or dog and are unsure of City codes regarding your pets, the following information should be very helpful.

Rabies Vaccinations/Rabies Tags

You must vaccinate your cat or dog against rabies. The vaccination must be done by a licensed Colorado veterinarian. If the vaccination is determined to be detrimental to the health of your dog or cat, you must have a written statement from a licensed Colorado veterinarian. The vaccination must be performed on or before the appropriate anniversary date of the initial vaccination as determined by a licensed Colorado veterinarian. Finally, any person who acquires within the City a dog or cat shall have such dog or cat vaccinated within thirty days of such acquisition or within thirty days after the dog or cat reaches four months of age, whichever occurs later.

Dogs must wear their rabies tags on a collar or harness. Cats are not required to wear this tag.

Identification tag/Fees

Identification tag
Your dog or cat must wear at all times legible and current
identification containing words, numbers, or a combination thereof which would enable an animal control officer to readily ascertain the name, current home address, and current home telephone number of the owner. This identification can be in the form of a durable tag affixed to the collar or harness of the dog or cat, a surgically implanted microchip, or other similar type of identification.

If you are a resident of the City of Arvada, you are not required to pay any dog or cat licensing fees. Pet owners may receive a notice from Unincorporated Jefferson County Animal Control for their annual licensing fee. However, Arvada residents are not required to pay this fee. If your animal is impounded or found in violation of a city ordinance there may be fines or fees that are required. Tax money supports the efforts of the animal control unit.