Animal Control
Whom We Serve
Jefferson County Animal Control has jurisdiction on animal control issues in unincorporated Jefferson County. If you live in a city, please contact your city's animal control agency.
Contact Us
Animal Control Office:
700 Jefferson County Pkwy. #160
Golden, CO 80401
303-271-5070
(M - F, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.)
24/7 animal emergencies
303-277-0211
E-mail: Animal-Control@jeffco.us
County Ordinances
The ordinances are established as regulations and restrictions for the control of dogs in order to preserve and protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens and animals of Jefferson County.
Reports
Copies of reports are available. The fee is $5 for up to five pages. Additional pages are 50 cents each.
Dog Licensing
The Jefferson County Animal Control and licensing regulation requires annual licensing of all dogs 4 months of age and older.
Low-Cost Pet Vaccination Clinics
Check the above link for the most updated clinic. No appointments are necessary. Animal Control staff will be on hand to answer questions and share pet safety information.
Spay and Neuter Surgery Program
'A Simple Fix' mobile spay and neuter surgery program is designed to keep your pets safe, happy, and healthy. This procedure helps prevent certain cancers, avoids the high costs of caring for litters, and can help modify behaviors such as aggression, running away from home to look for a mate, and marking or spraying indoors. For the current schedule click here.
Problem Barking
Bothersome barking is a common problem in Jefferson County. There are solutions and recommendations both for dog owners and for neighbors at their wits' end.
Leash Law
Dogs allowed to roam the streets are not only a nuisance and dangerous to the public, but are in constant danger from cars, irate people, and even other dogs. All dogs must be on a leash or confined on the owner's premises at all times. Dogs in violation of the leash law may be detained by a citizen, turned over to Animal Control and impounded at the Foothills Animal Shelter. In addition to impoundment fees, owners can be issued a summons for a violation of county regulations.
Rabies
Jefferson County is the home of many species of wildlife (bats, skunks, raccoons, etc.) known to transmit this incurable disease to pets and people. It is required that all dogs be vaccinated after reaching 6 months of age. Keep the rabies certificate as proof of current vaccination for licensing and proof of ownership. Watch this video for more on rabies in Jefferson County, or read more on rabies from the state of Colorado.
Animal Bites
The law requires all animal bites that break the skin (with the exception of rodents) be reported to the animal control office in the jurisdiction where the bite occurred.
Cruelty and Neglect
Failure of the owner of any animal to provide adequate food, water, shelter, opportunity for exercise, or veterinary care constitutes a violation of state statute. In addition, intentional acts of cruelty, such as abandonment, harassment or torture will be vigorously prosecuted.
Animal Collectors
A "collector" believes they are saving animals from the streets and starvation by bringing them into their home. The problem begins when a collector ends up with a multitude of animals and then cannot afford to feed and adequately care for the animals, and the animals suffer. Please report any suspected animal collector to Animal Control.
Part of the Family
Animal control offers tips on how to make your dog part of the family, and information on cruelty and neglect issues that relate to chaining a dog. Also provided is information on how to properly care for your pet during winter's cold and summer's heat.
Cats
Cats are considered free roaming animals and the leash law does not apply to them. There is no law in unincorporated Jefferson County that pertains to loose or roaming cats. Citizens can legally trap cats with live/humane traps, on their own property, and take the cat to the Foothills Animal Shelter. Cats should be vaccinated for rabies annually and wear an identification tag. Animal Control will impound cats that have bitten a person or are sick or injured.
Dogs in Heat
In Jefferson County, it is unlawful to harbor a female dog in heat/season unless the dog is confined during such time in a house, building or secure enclosure so the dog does not create a neighborhood nuisance. A dog owner commits a Class II Petty Offense if he/she does not comply with this regulation.
Lost and Found Animals
All Jefferson County impounds are taken to the Foothills Animal Shelter, unless sick or injured. Please call Animal Control if your pet is missing from unincorporated Jefferson County and you have been unable to locate your pet at the shelter. We recommend getting signs posted in the area where the animal was lost and checking with local vets.
Foothills Animal Shelter
The Foothills Animal Shelter is a shelter serving the Jefferson County community including the cities of Wheatridge, Arvada, Golden, Lakewood, Westminster, Morrison, Mountain View, Edgewater and unincorporated areas. The staff works to reunite lost pets with their owners and to adopt stray animals into new, loving, permanent homes.
Sick or Injured Animals
If the sick or injured stray is found in unincorporated Jefferson County call the Animal Control office or the Sheriff's Office and an officer will respond. If a citizen chooses to take the animal to a vet on their own, they will need prior approval from Jefferson County Animal Control or the treatment expenses may not be covered.
24-Hour Emergency Vets
The organization, AnimalHelpNow, offers assistance in finding the nearest emergency veterinary clinic. Or, see below for Jefferson County 24-hour clinics.
Wheatridge Animal Hospital
303-424-3325
3695 Kipling St., Wheatridge, CO 80033
Columbine Animal Hospital
303-979-4040
5546 W. Canyon Trail, Littleton CO 80127
Access/Animal Critical Care and Emergency Services
303-239-1200
1597 Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80226
Evergreen Animal Hospital
303-674-4133
32175 Castle Court in Evergreen, CO 80439
Wildlife
Jefferson County Animal Control Officers are not authorized or trained to handle nuisance wildlife problems. However, there are many resources available to manage the problem.
Pet Overpopulation
Each year, over 40,000 stray, abandoned and unwanted dogs and cats are euthanized in Colorado. You can help prevent this tragedy by donating to the Pet Overpopulation Fund box on your state tax form. Your donation will fund spay and neuter surgeries and education programs in underserved areas of Colorado to prevent litters of unwanted puppies and kittens.
Be Kind to Animals Poster Contest
Each year during National Be Kind to Animals Week, animal control officers challenge elementary school children in Jeffco to create posters.
There is no Poop Fairy
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Last Modified:
Mar 20, 2013 06:18 AM
