Animal Control

Licensing Your Pet

The City of Gardner requires dogs to be licensed. Licenses are available at the Public Safety Station at 440 E. Main.  A rabies vaccination and City tag are required on dogs and cats over 3 months old. The tag is good from January 1st to December 31st each year. 

Costs for licensing your pet:

• Neutered male and female:  $7.00
• Un-neutered male and female:  $14.00

Animal Control Service

The Public Safety Department (DPS) provides 24-hour animal control protection. The City employs a fulltime Animal Control Officer (ACO) who answers questions regarding any animal control problem that is not an emergency. He can be reached at the DPS by telephone (913) 856-7312. If you have an emergency please call 911.

Gardner ordinances require all pets to be on a leash or within the owner’s total control when outside. If your dog does not always follow commands then that does not constitute being within the owner’s total control. If an animal  is found to be running at large, the ACO can detain it. This will cost the owner of the animal a $25.00 impoundment fee on the first offense and a $50.00 impoundment fee for the second offense and $75 on the third and subsequent offense plus the cost for lodging at the animal hospital, payable at the DPS. To find out if your pet has been impounded, call Gardner Animal Hospital at (913) 856-6255.

If you are experiencing problems with an animal, such as excessive barking or notice inhumane care, call DPS regarding the situation or please call 911. All animal bites are required to be reported even if the bite occurred with your own family pet.

If you are having problems with a wild animal such as a raccoon, the ACO will attempt to assist you and, if needed, provide you with a telephone number to others agencies that assist with the removal of animals or pests. All attempts will be made to capture and return animals to the wild unless special circumstances require the animal to be kept or disposed of.

The ACO will attempt to assist you with any type of animal problem or complaint that you may have or assist you in contacting the appropriate organization to address any animal complaint or problem that you are experiencing.

Pet Adoption

The Gardner Animal Hospital works with the City of Gardner's Animal Control Program. After an animal is unclaimed for a period of four days, they become eligible for adoption.

New Animal Control Ordinance 2008