Animal Control

Vaccinations

All dogs, cats, and ferrets in Broomfield must be vaccinated against rabies within 30 days after acquiring the animal or it reaches three months of age. A Broomfield rabies tag is required. If your animal is vaccinated at a local veterinarian, you will be given a Broomfield rabies tag. A Broomfield rabies tag can also be obtained by bringing your current rabies certificates to the Community Assistance Center at Broomfield's Municipal Center located at One DesCombes Drive. For more information, please view the informational Rabies Post Card or see the Rabies Control portion of the Broomfield Municipal Code.  Back to top.

Leash Law

Broomfield's Running At Large ordinance refers to all animals except domesticated cats that are "at large" within the City and County.  An animal is considered to be "at large" if it is:

• Off the premises of the owner and not under the direct and competent control by means of a leash, or
• In a common area of an apartment, condominium, or townhouse and not under effective control of its owner by means of a leash, or
• On an unfenced portion of the premises of the owner, and the owner is not physically present and able to control the actions of the animal, or
• Anchored to any real property of the animal's owner or keeper, if the leash extends beyond the property line of the owner.

Stray animals may be impounded, and owners must pay impound fees when claiming their animals and a summons may be issued. For more information, please see the Leash Law portion of the Broomfield Municipal Code.  Back to top.

Sanitation - Responsibility of Owner

All citizens are responsible for cleaning up after their animal on any public property where permission was not obtained from the property owner. Also, citizens' yards must be kept clean of excessive excrement due to health hazards and odor. For more information, please see the Sanitation - Responsibility of Owner portion of the Broomfield Municipal Code.   Back to top.

Barking Dogs / Disturbing the Peace

Citizens disturbed by a noisy animal may call the Police Department and complain any time they feel their peace is being disturbed. However, citizens are initially encouraged to contact the offending animal's owner and try to resolve the barking problem on their own. Once a call to the Police Department has been made, the owner of the animal will be contacted by an Animal Control Officer or a police officer and advised of the complaint. A summons can only be served if there are at least two individual complainants from separate households (an officer witnessing the barking may be the second complainant). For more information, please see the Barking Dogs and Disturbing the Peace portion of the Broomfield Municipal Code.  Back to top.

Cruelty / Neglect

Owners of animals must provide adequate shelter, food, water, and adequate veterinary care for their pets. Intentional acts of cruelty such as abandonment, harassment, and torture will be prosecuted. All suspected cruelty or neglect cases should be reported to the Broomfield Police non-emergency number 303-438-6400. Complainants may remain anonymous. For more information, please see Title 6-32, Cruelty to Animals, of the Broomfield Municipal Code.  Back to top.

Cats / Stray Cats

Cats are considered free roaming animals, and are not subject to the Running at Large ordinance of the City and County of Broomfield. Cat owners are encouraged to keep their cats indoors. Those that choose to allow their cats to roam outdoors are still responsible for the activity of their cat when it is loose in the neighborhood. Cat owners are responsible for:

• Promptly removing any excrement left by their cat on another person's property.
• Any damage or injury to a person or property caused by their cat.

A summons may be issued to the owner of a cat that is found to be in violation of these ordnances. The Police Department's Animal Control Unit does not loan cat traps, nor do they impound stray cats. If you have found a stray cat and do not want to keep it as your own, you may be do one of the following:

• Turn the cat loose.
• Take the cat to an animal shelter.
• Find the cat a home.
• If it is sick or injured, you may take the cat to a veterinarian AT YOUR EXPENSE.

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Animal Bites

All dog, cat, or ferret bites to humans must be reported to the Police Department. The biting dog, cat, or ferret must be placed in quarantine for ten days per state law, and proof of a current rabies vaccination must be shown. Most animals can be quarantined at home. An investigation will be conducted and a summons may be issued for any applicable violations. For more information, please see the Title 6, Animals, of the Broomfield Municipal Code.  Back to top.

Animal Limit / Restrictions

Citizens living in Broomfield are allowed four adult animals in each residence. Animals over six months of age are considered adults. This does not apply to fish or birds. Livestock, fowl, exotic animals, wildlife, or endangered species are not allowed as pets within the City and County of Broomfield. Non-poisonous snakes and ferrets are allowed.  For more information, please see the Animal Limits / Restrictions portion of the Broomfield Municipal Code.  Back to top.

Unlawful Attacks

Wildlife

Broomfield Animal Control does not respond to wildlife issues unless it is an immediate health or safety issue. This includes: foxes, raccoons, deer, skunks, birds, bears, mountain lions, rabbits, and squirrels. The Colorado Revised Statute 33-1-101 states, "It is the policy of the State of Colorado that the wildlife and their environment are to be protected, preserved, enhanced, and managed for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the people of this State and its visitors."  Wildlife resources include:

• Colorado Division of Wildlife 303-291-7227 (Emergencies only please) / After Hours 303-239-4501
• Wildlife Masters Help Line 303-464-5554

For more information, please visit the Broomfield Open Space page.  Back to top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Broomfield have any breed bans?
No, Broomfield does not have breed bans.

Do dogs, cats, and ferrets have to be licensed in Broomfield?
Yes. Dogs must wear a collar with rabies tag affixed. Animals vaccinated at any veterinary clinic in Broomfield will automatically receive a Broomfield rabies tag, which constitutes the city registration tag. If the animal has received the rabies vaccination at a veterinary clinic outside of Broomfield, the owner may bring the current rabies tag or certificate to the Citizen Assistance Center at 1 DesCombes Drive. A Broomfield rabies tag will be issued at no cost.

Where can my dog run off leash in Broomfield?
Dogs can run off-least at the dog park located at the north end of Commons Park. Ordinances 6-08-140, 6-12-010, and 6-12-020 contain further information.

What happens to dogs picked up by Animal Control?
If the dog is wearing a collar with rabies tag or has a microchip with correct owner information, Animal Control will attempt to return to the dog to its owner immediately. If there is no collar, rabies tag, or microchip, the dog will be transported to Colorado Dog Academy for impoundment. If the dog's owner does not contact Animal Control within five days, the dog is transported to the Humane Society of Boulder Valley.

Is there a limit on the number of animals allowed at a Broomfield residence?
For most areas in Broomfield, the limit of dogs, cats, ferrets, and rabbits allowed is four. However, there are certain areas in Broomfield zoned for additional animals as well as other types of animals allowed. Please see Ordinance 6-24-010 for more details.

Holiday Safety Tips made available by the ASPCA.
Holiday Safety Tips Year-Round made available by Pawprints and Purrs, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
Humane Society of the United States for general information.
Preparing Your Pets For Emergencies Makes Sense.  Get Ready Now.