North Liberty welcomes cats and dogs of all breeds. We even welcome urban chickens. Learn about pet owner responsibilities and how to keep our community clean, and your pets safe.
Pet Owner Responsibilities
Owners are responsible for licensing and vaccinating their dog and cats, preventing their pets from roaming freely or causing a nuance. Owners are, of course, responsible for removing pet poop on public and private property, too. Our complete animal ordinance is available in Chapter 55 of the city’s code of ordinance.
Pet Licensing
North Liberty requires dogs and cats to be licensed annually. Fee information and license form are available on our Pet Licensing page.
Red Fern Dog Park Annual Passes
To use the Dog Park at 980 North Liberty Road, North Liberty, Iowa 52317, you must purchase an annual pass for each dog. Fee information and pass application can be found at our Dog Park Pass page.
Urban Chickens
North Liberty allows for urban chickens to be kept on residential property after the completion of education and under certain conditions. Fee information and license form are available on our Permits page.
Lost Pets
All domestic animals should be licensed with the city. If a pet is located and has a city tag, then every reasonable effort is made to return the animal back to the registered owner as soon as possible.
If your pet is lost during normal business hours, 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, then call City Hall at 319-626-5700; they will need to know your name and current pet license number. You should also call the Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC) non-emergency line 319-356-6800 (24/7).
If after hours, then call the JECC non-emergency line at 319-356-6800 (24/7), so the appropriate responder can be dispatched. You may also leave a message with City Hall at 319-626-5700 and/or contact the Cedar Valley Humane Society at 319-362‐6288 or email [email protected].
Stray Pets & Animals
Find a Cat? Decision Flow
Find a Kitten? Decision Flow How old is this kitten?
If you witness a pet at-large in the community, but have not captured it, then please contact the JECC non-emergency line at 319-356-6800 (24/7), so the appropriate responder can be dispatched.
If you find and capture a stray pet during normal business hours, 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, call City Hall 319-626-5700 to make arrangements to transfer the pet to City staff.
If you find and capture a stray pet after hours, then please contact the JECC non-emergency line at 319-356-6800 (24/7), so the appropriate responder can be dispatched.
Stray pets are held in North Liberty before being taken to the Cedar Valley Humane Society.
Community Cats
North Liberty allows for free-roaming cats cared for by residents in their immediate area, or “community cats,” through a trap/neuter/return, or TNR, program. This policy stabilizes the community cat populations by stopping the breeding cycle and disruptive mating behaviors and saves public money by reducing shelter intake, shelter euthanasia and calls of concern to animal control.
Fill out this form to register a neighborhood cat as a community cat, so staff knows:
- which cats are free-roaming and cared for, so animal control does not pick them up… or if they do find a cat, they know where to return it;
- who to contact if a community cat is found ill; and
- who can be responsible for the observation of the cat in the event of a rabies outbreak.
This community cat registration is free and is not the same as a pet license. Community cats will not be numbered or receive a tag.
Community cats in need of sterilization should be caught in a live humane trap, available through local retail stores, covered with a sheet and brought to a veterinarian. The Iowa Humane Alliance Regional Spay/Neuter Clinic is a low-cost option. If you need help with a trap, contact the Johnson County Humane Society at 319-383-0494 or [email protected].
Animal Bites
Health care providers and law enforcement are responsible for animal bite reporting within Johnson County. Animal bites should be reported as soon as possible to the appropriate entity.
Wild Animal Control
City staff will respond if a wild animal is an immediate hazard to the public, such as a bite or other emergent need. Call the JECC non-emergency line at 319-356-6800 (24/7), so the appropriate responder can be dispatched. For all other wild animal requests, you should contact a private pest control company.
