Pet Licensing in Allen County, Indiana

Last Updated: August 2026

If you live within Fort Wayne city limits, dogs and cats must be registered with Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control by the time they are 5 months old. Owners can choose an annual registration or, for qualifying pets, a lifetime registration.

Quick Answer

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control
3020 Hillegas Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Phone: 260-427-1244

Annual registration: $5 for a spayed/neutered pet
Lifetime registration: $30 for a spayed/neutered and microchipped pet

Who Needs to Register a Pet?

Fort Wayne requires all dogs and cats living within city limits to be registered by the time they are 5 months old.

Once registered, your pet receives a registration tag that should be attached to its collar.

Pet registration helps Animal Care & Control identify your pet and contact you if the animal becomes lost.

Fort Wayne Pet Registration Fees

Annual Registration

Spayed or neutered dog or cat: $5 per year

Spayed or neutered pet owned by a senior age 62+: Free

Dog or cat that isn’t spayed or neutered: $100 per year

Lifetime Registration

Spayed/neutered AND microchipped pet: $30

Senior age 62+ with a spayed/neutered AND microchipped pet: $5

These are the city’s current published fees.

View Current Pet Registration Fees

Annual or Lifetime Registration?

For many pet owners, the lifetime registration can make sense if the pet is already spayed/neutered and microchipped.

Instead of paying the annual $5 fee each year, qualifying pets can receive a $30 lifetime registration.

Senior citizens age 62 and older can obtain lifetime registration for a qualifying pet for $5.

How to Register Your Pet

Fort Wayne pet registrations can be obtained through:

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control
Participating local veterinary clinics
Humane Fort Wayne
The city’s online registration system

You can also complete the city’s registration form and mail it to:

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control
3020 Hillegas Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46808

What Do I Need?

Depending on the registration you’re purchasing, you may need information such as:

Owner’s name and address
Pet’s name
Breed and color
Sex
Age
Spay/neuter information
Rabies vaccination information
Veterinarian information
Microchip number for lifetime registration

Lifetime registration requires the pet to be both spayed/neutered and microchipped.

Does My Pet Need a Rabies Vaccination?

Indiana requires dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies.

Keep your pet’s rabies vaccination records available, especially when dealing with registration, boarding, veterinary care or animal-control matters.

Your veterinarian can tell you when your pet’s next rabies vaccination is due.

Need a Microchip?

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control offers $15 walk-in microchipping.

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control
3020 Hillegas Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Phone: 260-427-1244

Microchipping is available on the business/intake side Monday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., and proof of current rabies vaccination is required.

Learn About Pet Microchipping in Allen County

What If I Live Outside Fort Wayne?

The Fort Wayne pet registration requirement applies to dogs and cats living within Fort Wayne city limits.

If you live elsewhere in Allen County, local animal-control rules still apply, but don’t assume the Fort Wayne city registration requirement applies to your address.

For animal-control questions outside Fort Wayne, contact the Allen County Sheriff’s Field Service Officers.

Animal Complaints: 260-449-7491

Allen County Animal Control

Why Register Your Pet?

Besides meeting Fort Wayne’s legal requirement, registration can make it easier to identify a lost animal.

Your pet’s registration tag provides another way for animal-control officers or someone who finds your pet to connect the animal with its owner.

For the best protection, use:

Pet registration tag
Collar and ID tag
Registered microchip

Adopted a Pet?

If you recently adopted a dog or cat, don’t assume the adoption fee included Fort Wayne registration.

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control specifically notes that pet registration is separate from its adoption fee.

If you live within Fort Wayne city limits, make sure your newly adopted pet is properly registered.

Allen County Pet Adoption

Lost Registration Tag?

Contact Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control if you’ve lost your pet’s registration tag or need help with an existing registration.

Phone: 260-427-1244

Keep your registration information current when your address or other contact information changes.

Before You Register

Have these ready:

Your contact information
Pet’s information
Rabies vaccination records
Spay/neuter information
Microchip number if applying for lifetime registration
Payment for the applicable fee

If you’re unsure which registration applies to your pet, call Animal Care & Control before applying.

Local Tip

If your dog or cat is spayed/neutered and microchipped, compare the $30 lifetime registration with paying the $5 annual fee every year.

And remember: this particular registration requirement is for pets living inside Fort Wayne city limits, not automatically every dog and cat throughout Allen County.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do dogs need a license in Fort Wayne?

Yes. Dogs and cats living within Fort Wayne city limits must be registered by 5 months of age.

How much is pet registration?

Annual registration is $5 for a spayed or neutered pet. Lifetime registration is $30 for a pet that is both spayed/neutered and microchipped.

Is there a senior discount?

Yes. Residents age 62 or older can receive free annual registration for an altered pet or a $5 lifetime registration for an altered and microchipped pet.

Can I register my pet online?

Yes. Fort Wayne provides an online pet registration option through Animal Care & Control.

Does my pet need a microchip?

A microchip is required if you want the lifetime registration. It’s also useful identification if your pet becomes lost.

Official Resources