Pets in the City of Marshfield Must be Licensed by March 31st

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025 -- 10:00 AM

(By Tom Loucks/Communications Director) Dogs and cats living in the city must be vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian.

According to Tom Locks, Communications Director with the City of Marshfield, the veterinarian will then issue a rabies certificate that explains the vaccination and its expiration date, which is valid for 1 or 3 years.

At the time of vaccination, a rabies tag will be provided. The rabies tag from the veterinarian is not a license. City ordinance states that all cats and dogs living within the city limits of Marshfield who are five months of age or older must be licensed annually.

The licensing requirement is to ensure citizens' safety and to ensure that animals are properly vaccinated. The license is also used to return lost pets safely. A rabies certificate must be obtained from a veterinarian to purchase a City license.

Licenses are available at City Hall, 207 W 6th Street, Marshfield, upon showing the pet's rabies certificate. Licenses are valid from January 1 through December 31. By law, all pets must be licensed by March 31. If licensed after that date, a $5 late fee is charged.

The license must be renewed every year. The fine for failing to license a pet in Marshfield is $124. Marshfield also has a City Ordinance 9.52(3)(d) which states that a household may not have more than two dogs, cats, rabbits, or guinea pigs without a special written permit provided by an ordinance officer.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.