• Am I allowed to keep pets at my business?
• Are any of my pets required to be inoculated?
• Are attack dogs a good way to keep myself safe?
• Can I be sued if my pet bites someone inside my home? A burglar?
• Can my no-pets policy exclude working dogs, too? Or must I accommodate the disability?
• Do exotic pets require special licenses?
• Do my pets need to be licensed? Have tags on their collars?
  
• How many and what kind of pets can I have in Mountain View?
• How much does it cost to get a pet license?
• I don't want cats on my property. Is there something I can do?
• I don't want squirrels, skunks or other wild creatures on my property. Is there something I can do?
• I have a high fence, but my dog still gets out. What should I do?
• I have a pet in violation of my renters' agreement. What can happen to me?
• If a pet or animal destroys or damages my property, should I call the police?
• If I hit a pet while driving my car, what are my obligations?
• If I see an injured pet, what should I do?
• If my dog barks too much, what should I do? Can I be evicted? Forced to get rid of the dog?
• If someone is mean to my dog and it bites, is that my fault?
• My neighbor's dog keeps barking all night long. What can I do?
  
• Should I call the police if a neighbor fails to clean up after their pet?
• Should I call the police if someone has a dangerous pet?
• Should I call the police if someone has too many or illegal pets?
• What do I do if I don't want my pet anymore?
• What do I do if I see someone abuse a pet or wild animal? Can they go to jail?
• What do I need to do if I, or my child, get bitten by a pet?
• What pets are allowed to run loose?
• What should I do if my pet disappears? Escapes?
• What sort of pet ID is recommended?  
• When do I have to clean up after my pet? What can happen if I don't?
• Where can I allow my dog to run off-leash?
• Who do I call when I see a dog running loose?

Am I allowed to keep pets at my business?
There is no law prohibiting it. If you don't own your business property, consult your lease or landlord.

Are any of my pets required to be inoculated?
Dogs must have a rabies vaccine to get the required license.

Are attack dogs a good way to keep myself safe?
Attack dogs are not recommended. They are extremely dangerous and can cause injuries, lawsuits and court orders requiring termination. Also be aware that it takes a great deal of training to be able to effectively and safely handle an attack dog. Most owners aren't that committed.

Can I be sued if my pet bites someone inside my home? A burglar?
Yes. If it happens, you may want to talk to an attorney.

Can my no-pets policy exclude working dogs, too? Or must I accommodate the disability?
You must allow dogs which provide services to handicapped residents. For more information, speak to an attorney.

Do exotic pets require special licenses?
In some cases. Contact Palo Alto Animal Services (650/496-5971) for more information.

Do my pets need to be licensed? Have tags on their collars?

A license is required for Mountain View dogs who are 4 months or older.  Rabies vaccination is required prior to obtaining a license. Licenses can be issued for 1-3 years. All cats and dogs must have tags.

How many and what kind of pets can I have in Mountain View?
Pets are counted when they're 4 months of age or older. You may have no more than 2 female dogs, 2 female cats, or 1 of each. You may have no more than 4 dogs and cats, combined. Exceptions require a kennel permit.

How much does it cost to get a pet license?

Term of License   Cost    Cost if spayed/neutered

Dogs 0-12 Months    $26.                  $13
Dogs 13-24 Months  $44.                  $22
Dogs 25-36 Months  $60.                  $30
Cats                       $10.                   $ 5

I don't want cats on my property. Is there something I can do?
Cats are not allowed to trespass. If speaking to the owner does not work, contact Palo Alto Animal Services (650/496-5971) for assistance and to obtain an appropriate humane trap. If you know the owner, you must provide that information to Animal Services.

I don't want squirrels, skunks or other wild creatures on my property. Is there something I can do?
Santa Clara County Vector Control (800/675-1155) has information on how to live with wildlife and how to wildlife-proof your property.

I have a high fence, but my dog still gets out. What should I do?
Whatever it takes. Keep the dog inside. Build a better fence or kennel. It is the dog owner's responsibility to keep their dogs from running free.

I have a pet in violation of my renters' agreement. What can happen to me?
You can be sued or evicted.

If a pet or animal destroys or damages my property, should I call the police?
Yes. Call MVPD (650/903-6395) to report the incident.

If I hit a pet while driving my car, what are my obligations?
Call MVPD (650/903-6395) to report the incident immediately. A police report is required by law.

If I see an injured pet, what should I do?
Call MVPD (650/903-6395) to report the animal immediately.

If my dog barks too much, what should I do? Can I be evicted? Forced to get rid of the dog?
You are required by law to make every attempt to be a responsible neighbor and pet owner. You can be cited and fined each time your dog is in violation of Mountain View ordinances. Eviction is a civil matter. Refer to your lease or rental agreement.

If someone is mean to my dog and it bites, is that my fault?
Yes, you are responsible for anything your pet does. However, physical abuse of an animal is a crime.

My neighbor's dog keeps barking all night long. What can I do?

MVPD encourages residents to try to resolve problems with their neighbors. However, we realize that sometimes it's not possible. There are two alternatives: 1. Contact the City of Mountain View Mediation Program (650/960-0495). 2. Call MVPD, when barking is occurring(650/903-6395).

Should I call the police if a neighbor fails to clean up after their pet?
We suggest talking to the neighbor. For ongoing problems, mediation may be the answer. You may also call the police non-emergency line: 650/903-6395.

Should I call the police if someone has a dangerous pet?
Yes. Call MVPD (650/903-6395).

Should I call the police if someone has too many or illegal pets?
Yes. Call MVPD (650/903-6395).

What do I do if I don't want my pet anymore?
We recommend that you make all pet-buying decisions with a long-term plan. A pet should be a member of your family. If you can no longer keep your pet, and cannot find a proper home, you can surrender your pet to Palo Alto Animal Services (650/496-5971) for a fee.

What do I do if I see someone abuse a pet or wild animal? Can they go to jail?
Call MVPD (650/903-6395) to report the incident immediately. It is illegal to abuse wild or pet animals. A perpetrator may be sentenced to jail.

What do I need to do if I, or my child, get bitten by a pet?
Seek medical assistance for animal bites. Get as much information as possible regarding the owner and the animal. Exchange names and phone numbers. Also contact Palo Alto Animal Services. Daytime: 650/496-5971. After hours: 650/329-2413.

What pets are allowed to run loose?
No animal is allowed to run loose per se. There is no leash law for cats, but they are not allowed to trespass onto someone else's property.

What should I do if my pet disappears? Escapes?
Contact Palo Alto Animal Services (650/496-5971). Check all local shelters, talk to neighbors, post flyers, and do not give up.

What sort of pet ID is recommended?  
Dogs and cats should have a durable ID tag with owner contact information. Dogs also must be licensed.

When do I have to clean up after my pet? What can happen if I don't?
Always. You can be cited and fined for failing to clean up after your pet.

Where can I allow my dog to run off-leash?
Cuesta, Rengstorff and Whisman Parks have dog runs, designated areas where dogs can play off leash. There are also designated areas in some parks for dog training, but use of these areas requires a training permit.

Who do I call when I see a dog running loose?
Call the police department's non-emergency line: 650/903-6395.