Does Indiana require pet licenses?
Not at the state level. Indiana's statewide animal health laws, administered by the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) (accessed August 30, 2026), focus on disease control and animal welfare — not pet licensing. That authority is left entirely to cities and counties.
However, Indiana Code IC 15-20-1 — Indiana's rabies control statute — does require rabies vaccination for dogs, cats, and ferrets statewide. Under IC 15-20-1-5 (accessed August 30, 2026), owners must have their pets vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian, and that vaccination record is the foundation of any local licensing program. Whether your city requires a license on top of that depends on where you live.
Which Indiana cities require pet licenses?
| City / County | License Required? | Altered Fee | Unaltered Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis / Marion County | ✓ Yes — Indianapolis Animal Care Services | ~$20/year | ~$60/year |
| Fort Wayne / Allen County | ✓ Yes — Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control | ~$10/year | ~$50/year |
| South Bend / St. Joseph County | ✓ Yes — Animal Resource Center | ~$10/year | ~$30/year |
| Evansville / Vanderburgh County | ◐ Varies — check with Vanderburgh County Animal Control | Check locally | Check locally |
| Rural counties | ✗ Many do not require | N/A | N/A |
Indianapolis: how to register your pet
Indianapolis/Marion County runs one of Indiana's most active licensing programs through Indianapolis Animal Care Services (accessed August 30, 2026), located at 2480 S. Harding St. Online registration is available through the indy.gov portal. Here's the process:
- Ensure your pet's rabies vaccination is current. Required statewide under IC 15-20-1.
- Gather proof of spay or neuter if applicable — the fee difference is significant ($20 vs $60).
- Register online or in person at 2480 S. Harding St. Online applications accept uploaded documents.
- Pay the annual fee. Tags are mailed to online applicants or issued on-site.
- Renew annually — Indianapolis licenses expire December 31 each year.
Fort Wayne: dog licensing
Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control at cityoffortwayne.org/animal-care-control (accessed August 30, 2026), 3020 Hillegas Rd, administers Allen County dog licensing. Both dogs and cats are encouraged to be registered. Rabies certificate and photo ID are required. Licenses renew annually.
What to bring when applying
- Current rabies vaccination certificate — required statewide under IC 15-20-1
- Spay/neuter certificate or vet letter — to qualify for the reduced fee
- Government-issued photo ID with your current Indiana address
- Microchip documentation (recommended; some cities track it during registration)
Even without a licensing requirement: rabies proof still matters
If you live in a rural Indiana county that doesn't require pet licenses, you still need current rabies vaccination under IC 15-20-1. That certificate will be required by:
- Boarding facilities and doggy daycares
- Groomers and dog parks
- Any boarding or travel across state lines
- Animal bite incidents — unvaccinated pets face quarantine procedures under Indiana law
Your document checklist
Last verified: August 30, 2026. Licensing requirements vary by city and county — check with your local animal services for current fees and renewal deadlines.