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Dog Licenses

Dog License Application:

2025 Dog License Application

The 2025 deadline to have your dogs registered is April 1st, as required by Dane County.  This is the only way we can ensure that dogs have been vaccinated against rabies and provide a way to return lost dogs to their owners.  Unregistered animals may result in fines.

Return completed application (above) with proper fee and a copy of current rabies vaccination to

Dave Garfoot, Treasurer

8670 Garfoot Drive, Mt. Horeb, WI 53572

In many cases animal laws may differ slightly depending on whether you live in the City of Madison or in Dane County. However there are several animal laws that are the same no matter where you live.

Wisconsin State Law requires that all Dogs be vaccinated for Rabies by the age of 5 months. Rabies Vaccinations are good for 6 months, 1 year or 3 years depending on the type of vaccine used and the age of the animal when the vaccination was given. Owners should check with their vet and make sure their pets are up to date on rabies vaccinations at all times.

All Dogs kept in Madison and Dane County are required to be licensed by the age of 5 months. Licenses are sold on an annual basis. You must purchase a new license for your dog at the beginning of each calendar year.

An ID tag with owner Name, Address and Phone Number is also required by both City and County and can go a long way towards getting someone’s pet back home if it gets lost. Owners may obtain an ID tag from their local vet or the Humane Society and should keep it on their pet at all times.

Both the City of Madison and Dane County have running at large laws for dogs. Dogs are not to run at large off the owner’s property unless they are in an off- leash dog park or have permission to be loose from the owner of the property they are on.