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1. Does my dog need to be licensed in White Bear Township?

Yes, any dogs 6 months of age and older are required to be licensed in the Township. Licensing is for two years beginning on March 31 of the even number year at a cost of $20.00. Proof of current rabies vaccination is required to obtain a license.

2. Who handles lost and found animals?

The Ramsey County Sheriff's Department patrols Township streets to enforce Township Ordinances, and provides animal control and education to pet owners. All animals impounded by the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department are taken to the Animal Humane Society, 9785 Hudson Road, Woodbury. The shelter can be reached at 952-435-7738. Phone hours are 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday – Friday, and Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Search impounded pets online at www.animalhumanesociety.org/strays. Shelter pickup is by Appointment Only, call 952-435-7738.

To request animal control's assistance, day or night, including reporting a lost pet, please call the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department at 651-747-0640. For information regarding lost or found animals contact the Animal Humane Society, 952-435-7738 or 952-HELP-PET.

3. My dog was picked up by Animal Control. Now what?

Domestic animals impounded by the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department are taken to the Animal Humane Society, 9785 Hudson Road, Woodbury. The shelter can be reached at 952-435-7738. Phone hours are 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday – Friday, and Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Shelter pick-up is by appointment only. Call 952-435-7738. Impound animals are kept for five business days. Owners claiming their pets will need to show photo identification; proof of ownership; and payment of fees.

4. There is a dog running loose in my neighborhood. What can be done about this?

Town ordinances require all domestic animals (dogs, cats, etc.) to be leashed when not on their owner’s property. Many city ordinances penalize a person who owns, harbors, or keeps a domestic animal that runs at large. If you see a dog running loose, please contact Animal Control by calling 911. If the animal is picked up and attempts to find the owner are unsuccessful it will be transported to an animal shelter.

5. My neighbor’s dog barks continuously when they are not home. What should I do?

Animal Control will respond to reports of barking dogs. City ordinances will be enforced. When the Animal Control Officer arrives, the officer will park in the area of the complaint and monitor for barking. If the dog barks continuously, the Animal Control Officer will try to make contact with the owner. If no one is home, a business card will be left at the residence requesting the home owner contact animal control. The Animal Control Officer will work with the owner to ensure the barking dog does not become a neighborhood problem. If the contact with Animal Control does not resolve the issue, the owner will be cited.

6. My child was bit by my neighbor’s dog. What should I do?

Seek medical attention first, if needed. Then contact the Animal Control Officer by calling 911. A Deputy or an Animal Control Officer will respond to take a report. As part of the report, vet records are collected. The situation may require the animal to be quarantined for ten days. At the end of the ten days, Animal Control will check the dog to ensure it is healthy and then follow-up with the bite victim. Depending on the severity of the bite, the dog may be declared potentially dangerous or dangerous after one incident.

This is another reason why it is best to report dog bites to law enforcement.

7. We have a stray cat in the neighborhood. Does Animal Control pick up cats?

Animal Control will pick up domestic cats in certain circumstances. Animal Control will not accept surrendered domestic cats. By city ordinance cats, like dogs, must be leashed if not on the owner’s private property. Cats that are picked up by Animal Control are transported to the shelter. Feral cats are the offspring of lost or abandoned pet cats or other feral cats who are not spayed or neutered. Unlike stray cats that are accustomed to contact with people and are tame, feral cats are not accustomed to people and are typically too fearful and wild to be handled. Feral cats do not easily adapt, or may never adapt, to living as pets in close contact with people.

The Sheriff’s Office Animal Control services do not include trapping feral cats.

8. There is an injured wild animal in my yard. Will Animal Control pick it up?

Please contact Animal Control by calling 911. A deputy or Animal Control Officer will respond to address the problem. Injured small wildlife determined to have a chance of survival are brought to the Minnesota Wildlife Rehab Center in Roseville. Severely injured deer and wildlife will be euthanized.

9. I have a raccoon that keeps getting in my garbage or bird feeder. Can animal control help me?

Animal Control does not respond to wild animal calls unless there is a public safety threat. Animal Control does not remove wildlife simply because it is on your property. The use of licensed professional pest control companies are recommended by most cities in Ramsey County for the removal of problem wildlife.

If you live trap an animal, do not take it to some other part of town and release it, as this could potentially spread disease.

10. There is an injured bird in my yard. Will Animal Control pick it up?

Animal Control is unable to assist with injured birds unless they are birds of prey, such as owls, hawks, and eagles. Please contact the University of Minnesota Raptor Center at 612-624-4745 if you find an injured bird of prey.

Animal Control does not pick up birds for West Nile virus testing.

11. Where are animals picked up by Animal Control taken?

Domestic animals are brought to a temporary shelter operated by the Animal Humane Society (9785 Hudson Road, Woodbury, Minnesota 55125). They can be reached at phone 952-435-7738 (Mon-Fri from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, Sat 10:00 am to 6:00 pm). Injured small wildlife with a good chance of survival are brought to the Minnesota Wildlife Rehab Center in Roseville. Injured birds of prey are brought to the University of Minnesota Raptor Center. Severely injured deer and wildlife will be euthanized.

12. What is the best advice of Animal Control for stray dogs?

Have an ID on your dog so you can be found when the dog is lost. The Sheriff’s Animal Control Officer would rather bring your dog home than to the impound shelter.

13. Why do some dogs become strays?

Some dogs like to explore more than others. Adventuresome dogs see an open gate as an invitation to see new territory; unfortunately they don’t always understand the risks and dangers they may face while out on their own without supervision.

Help your dog by working with your children to keep gates and doors closed.

14. What is the number one complaint received by Animal Control?

Our most common complaint is barking dogs. The object of animal control laws is to not let animals disrupt our neighborhoods. Pay attention to your dog’s barking and work toward solutions.