Animal Services butterfly

The Pacific Grove Police Department employs a full-time Animal Control Officer who enforces animal related laws to ensure the proper care and treatment of animals and promote responsible pet ownership.

Spay/Neuter and Vaccinate your pet!Low cost options include the SPCA at (831) 373-2631, Animal Welfare and Assistance at (831) 659-2156, and Animal Friends Rescue Project at (831) 333-0722.

Animal LicensesAll dogs in the City of Pacific Grove are required to have current licenses, with a license tag attached to the dog's collar. The license and tags are obtained from the reception counter in City Hall. In order to obtain a license, dog owners are required to provide information about the dog and pay a licensing fee.

Before receiving a license, the owner must furnish a rabies vaccination certificate that is good through the end of the licensing period. These certificates are issued by the veterinarian who provided the vaccination.

The license fee will vary depending on the time period of the license requested and whether or not the dog has been spayed/neutered. The fee is substantially lower for those dogs that have been spayed/neutered. Proof of spaying or neutering must be provided to qualify for the lower rate.

Once a dog has been licensed, the renewal process is very simple. Owners will receive reminder notices when the current license is about to expire. There is still the requirement to show evidence of a current rabies certificate through the end of the next licensing period. There is a $5.00 charge for a replacement tag if the original tag is lost. Payment of license fees can be by cash, check, or credit card.

The dog licensing program in Pacific Grove is coordinated closely with the Animal Control program in the Police Department. Any lost dogs picked up by Animal Control are checked for license tags, so that they can be returned as quickly as possible to their owners.
Download the Animal License Application. You may submit your completed Application, Rabies Certificate, and Spayed/Neutered Certificate by mail or in person at City Hall.

Dogs Off LeashDogs are allowed off leash in George Washington Park and Rip Van Winkle Open Space. Dogs are not allowed (on or off leash) at Lovers Point Park and Berwick Park. All other spaces and dogs must be kept on leash.

Animal Keeping Permit

An animal keeping permit must be submitted and approved when requesting to home in excess of 3 dogs and/or 3 cats, and any combination there of. In addition, an animal keeping permit must be approved for chickens, bees, and other animals not considered “pocket pets” (lizards, guinea pigs, etc.). For clarification, contact Code Compliance at (831) 648-3199 or refer to PGMC Chapter 10.08 Keeping of Animals and Fowl.

Wildlife Resources

California Department of Fish & Wildlife, including information on mountain lions, coyotes, and deer.
Monterey National Marine Sanctuary, including information on marine mammals.
SPCA Monterey County, Wildlife Department, including information on orphaned or injured wildlife in need of assistance.
Protecting our Native Deer

Feeding Wildlife is Prohibited by Law

We need your help in keeping our beautiful wildlife healthy, safe and remain wild. It is against the law to feed wildlife in the City of Pacific Grove. The minimum fine is 100.00. Below are 8 reasons why you should not feed wildlife.

  • Providing an artificial food source causes adults to produce large families which the natural food supply can’t support. Overpopulation can lead to starvation and epidemics of disease, some of which are dangerous to humans.
  • Animals have specialized diets and can die from the wrong foods. If a baby animal receives the wrong diet, even for a day or two, it can permanently damage developing bone and muscle. The wrong food can cause disease, mouth injuries, throat obstructions and death.
  • It is illegal to feed wildlife. Monterey County, Pacific Grove, Monterey, and other cities all have ordinances that prohibit feeding of wildlife.
  • Feeding causes wild animals to lose their natural fear of humans. Tamed wild animals can become an easy target, or the bold advances of a tamed wild animal can be misinterpreted as an “attack.”
  • Feeding changes behavior, often with catastrophic results. Feeding can cause death by preventing a species from migrating. It can also cause harmful interaction between species that usually don’t compete for food.
  • You risk injury when you do not keep a respectful distance from wild animals. Wildlife can misinterpret your actions. They may not know where the food stops and your fingers begin. Once again, animals lose when people complain of being bitten or “attacked.”
  • Feeding ground squirrels that burrow along the shoreline causes overpopulation and erosion. Banks weaken from the tunneling of too many squirrels. Waves pound the hole-ridden banks, causing shoreline and habitat loss.
  • Providing food in residential areas (with the exception of birdseed feeders) often leads to property damage and unwelcome “houseguests”. Sometimes people feed wildlife inadvertently when they leave pet food dishes outside or do not secure garbage.

Pacific Grove Police Department580 Pine Avenue
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Emergency: 9-1-1
Community Service Officer
Phone: (831) 648-3143

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