Ames Animal Laws
The Ames Animal Control is a division of the Ames Police Department and is responsible for the enforcement of the Ames Municipal Code
Chapter 3 - Animals.
View the Complete City of Ames Municipal Animal Code
Common Animal Code Questions
The following items are common questions we receive about Ames' Municipal Code regarding Animals. This is not a comprehensive list of the Ames Municipal Code Chapter 3 - Animals. The information provided with each code listed below is a summary of the requirements of each section of the code. To view the full text for each code, click the hyperlink (dark blue font with underlined text) to view that specific section within Ames' Municipal code. The full Ames Municipal Animal Code is available online at the link above.
All animals, regardless of species, must be restrained by the owners from running at large. This means all pets, including cats, must be on a leash when off their owner's property.
Animal Waste Code: Anyone who walks an animal on private or public property must immediately dispose of the solid waste excreted by that animal, except when the animal is on the owner's property.
Animal Nuisance Code: Accumulation of solid waste (poop) which becomes a detriment to or menace to the health of the animal, or an annoyance to humans, is not permitted.
Standard of Care Code: Any area where an animal is confined or restrained (tie-out, tether) must provide adequate sanitation by removing poop, dirt, and other waste materials from the area to minimize vermin infestations, odors, and disease hazards. Adequate sanitation is defined in the code as, "periodic cleaning or sanitizing housing facilities."
No cat, dog, or animal may make sounds of any kind for a prolonged period of time in such a manner as to reasonably disturb the peace and quiet of the vicinity.
No person is allowed to leave an animal unattended in, or tethered to, a standing or parked motor vehicle, in a manner that endangers the safety of the animal. You can learn more by checking out our Animals in Vehicles informative flyer.
Transporting animals in the open bed of a pickup truck is not permitted, except when the animal is secured inside a cage or kennel OR by a leash or tether sufficiently short to keep the animal inside the pickup box at all times.
All animals must be transported in a box, container, or cage with proper ventilation and proper space requirements as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 9, Part 3, Animals and Animal Products.
Ames does NOT have any legislation that prohibits owning an animal purely based on breed or appearance.
Ames has a Dangerous Domestic Animal Code, which involves registration and requirements of a domestic animal shown to have dangerous behaviors, as outlined in the code.
Anyone wishing to trap for an animal within the city limits of Ames must have a Trap Permit issued by Animal Control at no charge.
The only trap types allowed are:
- Humane live box traps
- Instant kill snap trap (no permit required for instant kill snap traps)