Division of Police

Animal Control

Services

Pit Bull Registration Information »
Animal Lost and Found »

Dog Licenses

Dog Licenses can be purchased at the Cuyahoga County Auditor’s office and at Discount Drug Mart, 15412 Detroit Avenue or 11900 Detroit Avenue.
Cuyahoga County Auditor »

Frequently Asked Questions:

Volunteer

The Citizens Committee for a Lakewood Animal Shelter (CCLAS) supports the Lakewood Animal Shelter through fundraising and providing volunteers to help the wardens care for the impounded animals. Click here for more information about CCLAS.

Lakewood Animal Shelter/CCLAS Volunteers must have a police background check performed prior to working at the Shelter. Complete the attached application package and submit to Lakewood Animal Shelter, Lakewood Police Dept, 12650 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio 44107.

Rabies

The return of raccoon rabies in our area is a significant public health concern as it increases the risk of disease in the human and domesticated pet populations. Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous systems of animals and humans and is virtually 100% fatal. It is contracted by exposure to a rabid animal, usually through a bite, although scratches and contact with saliva through broken skin are also possible.

In 2003, 53 animals tested positive for rabies in Ohio. Only two were raccoons and both were only a mile from the Pennsylvania border. In 2004, 77 animals tested positive for rabies and 45 were raccoons with 22 coming from Lake and Geauga counties and one coming from Cuyahoga county.

As a first line of defense, pet owners are strongly encouraged to vaccinate their animals, dogs, cats and ferrets. Domesticated animals frequently come in contact with rabid animals including raccoons and bats. Cats have been known to capture bats and bring them home as trophies. An unvaccinated pet has the potential to transmit the disease to its owner.

In addition, residents are advised to avoid contact with wild animals, including injured and sick animals. Wild animals found dead should not be handled or disposed of using bare hands. All food sources must be eliminated. Taking the time to animal- proof trash containers, cover chimneys and close sheds, porches and garages will decrease the number of wild animals attracted to one's property.

Anyone bitten by an animal should report the bite to the Police Department/Animal Control at 529-5020 and consult their doctor. If a pet has contact with a wild animal or bat, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Wildlife Trapping

Animal Control has humane box-traps used to trap raccoons, opossums and other nuisance wildlife. Based on availability, residents are advised to pick up the trap at the Shelter during regular business hours. If the resident can not pick up a trap or a trap is not available, the resident’s name and address will be put on the trap waiting list. The process will be expedited if an urgent need exists (i.e. an animal is in a home).

The resident is notified when a trap is available in order of request. The resident signs a trap release form and submits a $50.00 deposit. Building owners who do not live in the city are also required to leave a $50.00 deposit. Each user is instructed on how to set the trap and the procedure followed after the animal is trapped. The trap is provided for a seven-day period.

At the end of the seven-day period the resident is contacted and the trap picked up whereupon the deposit is returned to the resident.

  • Trapped wildlife is disposed of per Ohio Division of Wildlife
    section 1501:31-15-03.
  • Outdoor nuisance trapping ceases when the temperature is below 35 degrees for more than 5 days. Trapping resumes when the temperature consistently remains above 35 degrees.
  • Only one trap is issued per residence.
  • City owned traps are not used to trap cats.