Frequently Asked Questions

Animal Control services are for the residents of East Chicago. During 2002 at least one out of seven residents of the city have used these services.

The Animal Control Department is responsible for controlling stray and unlicensed animals in the community. It is also responsible for assisting in the resolution of other problems relating to animals.

Such problems include:

• Any animal which is in violation of any City Ordinance
• Any animal who is being abused
• Humane capture of  any animal which has intruded in a resident’s home
• Removal of dead or injured animals from the streets

Any animal that is not licensed nor has received immunizations against rabies and which is reported to have bitten an individual will be impounded. The animal will then be quarantined at the Animal Shelter for a period of ten days:

• If the animal is not up to date on its rabies shots the owner can resume possession of the animal by obtaining a pre-paid rabies immunization receipt. Only then will the animal be released.
• If the animal’s rabies shots are up to date, the animal can be quarantined at the owner’s discretion.
• In the case of stray animals or any animal who’s owner did not keep up to date the rabies shots, the impoundment fee is $5. Any impounded animal can be claimed by their owner upon compliance with maintaining proof of rabies shots and impoundment fees.

Licenses

No person shall keep or harbor any dog/cat of any age within city limits unless a license has been issued. All licenses shall be issued for one year beginning with 1st day of January. The yearly license fee is $2 for a female and $1 for a male or spayed female.

Tags

Dogs and cats must wear identification tags or collars at all times when off the premises of the owners.

Waste Maintenance

The owners of every animal shall be responsible for the removal of any excreta deposited by his/her animal on public walks, recreation areas, or private property.

Animals In Heat

Every female cat or dog in season shall be confined in a building or secure enclosure in such a manner that such female cat or dog cannot come into contact with another animal except for planned breeding.

Any animal found running at large will be impounded. Proof of rabies immunizations, immunization shot record, city registration, photos of owner and pet together (social media posts or camera roll acceptable) and impoundment fees well be required in order to release any animal. The Initial fee is $5 for the first day, plus $2 for each additional day the dog/cat has been impounded. After three working days, if the animal impounded has not been claimed by its owner, it will become the property of the Animal Control Division.

The types of animal that are picked up are:

• Cats
• Dogs

The following animals fall under specific conditions. If opossums, raccoons, and squirrels pose a nuisance you must either call Indiana DNR ( 1-800-457-8283 ) or you must rent a trap from the animal control division through the city controller's office. East Chicago Animal Control does not exterminate or deal with wildlife, nor does Animal Control enter private residences under any condition.

• Opossums (must be in trap)
• Raccoons (must be in trap)
• Squirrels (must be in trap)

Please call to verify if we can handle your animal trapping case.

The Animal Shelter has cages that can be rented out to those residents who have an animal roaming in their home or around their premises. 

Cage rentals are a flat $25.00 fee for a 15 day duration. No refunds if animal is caught before the duration is up. If you need the rental for more than the allotted 15 days you must rent the trap for an additional $25.00.

Contact 219-391-8364 for animal control rental procedure.

To report deer please contact The Department of Natural Resources Customer Service Center at 317-232-4200 or 877-463-6367, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In most wildlife cases East Chicago Animal Control does not deal with roaming opossums, raccoons, squirrels, deer, coyotes, etc. (animals that are not dogs or cats; excluding feral cats) In the case of these listed animals  contact The Department of Natural Resources Customer Service Center at 317-232-4200 or 877-463-6367 or 1-800-457-8283, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.