It's the law. Also, dogs and cats brought to the shelter with current license tags are assured a five day minimum holding period while we try to contact the owner. The state mandated holding period is only 72 hours. 

The most important responsibilties (besides licensing) include ensuring:

• All companion animals are contained on the owner's property. When your dog is not on your property it must be on a leash with a responsible person who can physically handle the dog on a leash.
• Animals should not relieve themselves on someone else's property. You are legally responsible to clean up after your pet. You must also keep your own property clear of  feces.
• Any animal that causes damage to property; is vicious, fierce or dangerous; unreasonably fouls the air; barks, whines, howls, or makes other disturbing noises in excessive, continuous, or untimely fashion; molests passersby or vehicles; or attacks other domestic animals is in violation of local ordinances.  The ordinances we enforce are the Salt Lake County Ordinance, Salt Lake City Ordinance, and the Herriman City Ordinance.
• Animals need many things including food, clean water, shelter, veterinary care, training, toys and especially love and attention. A pet is a big committment.
• Spay or neuter. There is simply no good reason not to. Your pet will be healthier and happier and you will be helping to reduce the number of homeless pets in the community.

Two adult dogs and two adult cats can reside at the same address.  There are also limitations on the length of time a litter of puppies or kittens can be kept at a residence when the limit of adult animals has been reached. In most areas there is an overall combined limit on the number of pet dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets of four.  If you have questions on the total number contact your local zoning office.

If you can contain the cat in a box or carrier, call for an officer to pick it up. If the cat is too wild (feral), get a cat trap from the shelter. There is a $50 cash only deposit for the trap.  This deposit is refunded when you return the trap in good condition in 10 days. If a cat is caught, an officer can come to pick up the animal (for a fee) or you can take it to the shelter and retrieve the trap for the rest of the 10 days. Make sure you take the cat in to the shelter or call an officer as soon as you notice a cat in the trap!

See our Trap-Neuter-Return area for more information about feral cats

In order for the animals' owner to have the best chance of finding their animal, it should be taken to the appropriate shelter.  The appropriate shelter is based on where the animal was found.

It is also a violation of animal control ordinances to harbor a stray. If someone finds a stray, they must contact Animal Services within 24 hours.