• Location, contact information, and hours
• Report an animal control issue
• Regulations regarding animals
• Rabies vaccination clinics
• How to apply for a pet license
• Application for Exemption from Electronic Fence Prohibition
• Dog Fighting: Why you should care

Location, Contact Information, and Hours

Bureau of Animal Control
301 Stockholm Street
Baltimore, MD 21230

410-396-4698

For directions, click here for the BARCS website directions page.

Hours:

Report an animal control issue

Calling 311 or access the Baltimore CitiTrack Service Request System online:

• To file an animal complaint including: animal cruelty, neglect, fighting, etc

• To file an animal bite complaint

• To request pickup of dead animals

• To obtain traps for stray or wild animals

For general shelter questions, call the shelter at 410-396-4688

Regulations Regarding Animals:

Acceptable Standards for Issuing Multi-Pet Permits, Dog Fancier Permits and Commercial Kennel Permits

Acceptable Standards for Proper Animal Care for Enforcement of Anti-Cruelty Laws

Acceptable Standards for Proper Restraint of Animals

Regulatory Action on Electronic Fences as Animal Restraints

Application for Exemption from Electronic Fence Prohibition

Exotic Animal Regulation: Horses

Final Exotic Pet Regulations

Rules and Regulations Relative to Horse Stables and General Care of Horses

Trap-Neuter-Return Program Regulations

Vicious Dog Hearing Board

Rabies Vaccination Clinics are Scheduled for the First Saturday of Every Month

WHO: Dog, cat or ferret, must be 4 months or older

 

WHEN: The first Saturday of every month, from 9 am -12 pm

 

WHERE: Bureau of Animal Control, 301 Stockholm Street, Baltimore MD 21230

FEE: $6.00/animal

 

Call the Bureau of Animal Control at 410-396-4698 for more information.

How to Apply for a Pet License

If you have fewer than three dogs and cats:

Step 1: Have your pet(s) vaccinated for rabies, and keep the rabies vaccination certificate

 

Step 2: Fill out the attached application:

Dog License Application

Cat License Application

Step 3: Bring the completed application, rabies vaccination certificate, and application fee (as indicated on the application) to the Health Department at 301 Stockholm St, Baltimore MD 21230

If you have three or more dogs and cats, you will need a kennel (multipet) license:

Step 1: Apply for proper zoning classification

 

Step 2: Call the Bureau of Animal Control at 410-396-4698 to schedule an inspection by a Health Official

 

Step 3: Bring rabies vaccination certification for all animals, notice of approval from health inspector, and $80 kennel license fee to 301 Stockholm Street, Baltimore MD 21230, where you can fill out the license application.

• Frequently children are present at dogfights with a father, older brother or uncle.

• Children are exposed to exhibits of extreme brutality, illegal gambling, drugs and guns associated with these cruel events.

• A person who arranges or conducts a dogfight is guilty of a felony in Maryland and is subject to a $5,000 fine and three years imprisonment. A person who attends a dogfight is guilty of a misdemeanor and is subject to $1,000 fine and 90 days imprisonment. In both cases the court can order psychological counseling paid for by the criminal.

• Psychiatrists have demonstrated the link between a history of cruelty to animals and seriously abnormal aggressive behavior directed toward humans.

• Dogs trained for fighting have been known to attack innocent children for no known reason. Each year 80 percent of all humans killed by dogs are children
  

• Dog fighting should not be a concern for "animal lovers" only. Dogfights dehumanize and degrade the community. It is closely linked to other illegal activities.

• Illegal drugs are often sold for cash and used at dogfights. Illegal gambling on the fights outcome generates more cash on hand. Firearms and other weapons are very common at dogfights because of this large amount of cash.

• Fighting dogs may promote emotional desensitization and increase human aggression toward family and neighbors.

• Dogs trained to be vicious for dog fighting may be dangerously aggressive. The very presence of these fighting dogs in a community greatly increases the risks of attacks on not only other animals but humans as well. In the average year there are 1,000 bite investigations performed by the Baltimore City Health Department.

• Dogs participating in these fights are severely injured and often violently die.

• Dogs who survive the fights often painfully die days or weeks later from their fight injuries.

• Dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals are used as "bait" to "blood" fighting dogs. These "bait" animals may be stolen pets or animals found in "free to good home" ads that are killed by fighting dogs in training.

What can you do?

Violence, drugs and weapons are associated with dog fighting. Help reduce the crime and violence in your neighborhood by reporting suspected dog fighting and vicious dogs to 311. You may remain anonymous.