Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Does my dog or cat need to be licensed?

Arvada law requires dogs to be licensed annually. Cats may also be licensed. A dog (or other pet) license may be obtained through Foothills Animal Shelter, any of the four Arvada Police Stations or many local veterinary offices. Proof of current rabies vaccination and spay/neuter must accompany this registration. In lieu of written documentation, your veterinary clinic may complete the designated area on the license registration. Licenses must be worn on the dog's collar at all times.

2. What should I do if I find or lose a pet?

If you find or lose a pet, notify Arvada Animal Management at 720-898-6850. This is a recorded line and Animal Management Officers (AMO) check it frequently. Be prepared to leave a message with the following information: 

• Breed of the animal and color 
• The sex of the animal and if it has been altered (spayed or neutered)
• Type of collar and color 
• Rabies tag, identification tag, and/or microchip information 
• Location the animal was lost or found 
• Your name, address, and phone number 

If you've lost a pet, you may also contact Foothills Animal Shelter to see if your pet may have been turned in by a concerned citizen.

3. What should I do if I find an injured pet or animal?

Immediately call police non-emergency dispatch at 720-898-6900 and select option #1. An Animal Management Officer (AMO) will be notified by dispatch to respond as soon as possible. 

Please note: If your pet is injured or deceased, please contact your veterinarian for assistance.

4. What should I do if I suspect or know of animal abuse or neglect?

If you know or suspect someone is committing animal abuse or neglect, please notify Animal Management at 720-898-6850. This is a recorded line, which is checked frequently. Leave the reason for your call and your contact information to expedite a response. When Animal Management returns your call, be prepared to tell them:

• who owns the animal 
• who you suspect is committing the abuse or neglect
• the nature of the abuse or neglect
• the date, time and place it occurred

Documenting as much information as possible is critical to the Animal Management Officer’s ability to help the animal.

5. What should I do if I encounter a habitual leash law or pooper scooper violator?

Repeat encounters with off-leash or pooper scooper violators warrants a call to Animal Management. Animal Management will ask for descriptions of the animals and the owners and the time and location of the infraction. As a repeat encounter, does this happen at or around the same time every day or on a particular day? Knowing this information helps the Animal Management Officers determine if an area is violation-heavy. Assigning extra patrols to those areas can help correct the violations.

6. What should I do about a barking dog?

It is unlawful for an owner or custodian of an animal to allow that animal to create a disturbance by loud, persistent, or habitual barking, howling, yelping or other unreasonable noise. Before filing an official complaint, it can be useful to try the following: 

• Try talking. We encourage you to contact your neighbor and try to work it out on the neighborhood level first before filing a complaint. Although this is not required, it can be an effective way of resolving the issue and opening up direct communication with your neighbor.
• Request a letter. If speaking to them directly is not an option, you may request a form letter, provided by Arvada Animal Management, which you can send to the owner.

To file an official complaint you must provide:

• An exact location of where the dog lives
• A description of the animal
• Dates and timeframes the dog barks
• Your name, address and phone number

What Happens when a Complaint is Filed?

When Animal Management receives a complaint of a barking dog: 

• The owner is first given a written or verbal warning. 
• If this does not resolve the problem, a ticket may be issued. 
• For a ticket to be issued, the ordinance requires two witnesses from separate households to be willing to testify to the specific complaint. 

If you would like to request a form letter, a brochure on barking dogs or to file a barking dog complaint please submit a service request or call Animal Control at 720-898-6850.

7. Can I feed wild animals?

Arvada's Code of Ordinances prohibits the feeding of wildlife or any wild animal in any park or golf course within the city.

8. Can I report coyote activity?

You can report coyote activity in the area online or you can call Arvada Animal Management at 720-898-6850.