[1]
Editor's note — Prior history: GAAB 17.10.010, 17.10.020, 17.10.030, 17.10.040, 17.10.050; AO No. 78-65A; AO No. 83-2; AO No. 83-97; AO No. 84-35; AO No. 85-8; AO No. 86-39; AO No. 89-25(S); AO No. 92-75(S); AO No. 93-66; AO No. 95-125, 6-6-1995; AO No. 96-134(S-2), 7-1-1997.
A. 
Any person who owns or has custody of a dog over the age of four months shall obtain a Municipality of Anchorage dog license for the dog except a dog brought into the municipality for less than 30 days.
B. 
Any dog over the age of four months which is transferred, sold, or given away within the municipality shall be licensed by the new owner or custodian within fifteen days of the sale or acquisition.
C. 
The following licenses, issued only by the animal care and control center, shall be at no cost:
1. 
Dogs used for municipal police work;
2. 
Dogs used for search and rescue or law enforcement by either the Anchorage police department or the Alaska State Troopers; and
3. 
The first four dogs in a licensed multi-animal facility.
(AO No. 2001-158(S-4), § 1, 1-1-2003; AO No. 2019-91(S-1), § 7, 12-3-2019)
Any person who is not a resident of the municipality but brings dogs into the municipality, for the purpose of competition for more than 30 but less than 90 days, shall obtain a nonresident Municipality of Anchorage dog license. This license shall be issued only by the animal care and control center, at no charge, upon proof that all dogs possess current rabies vaccinations. Persons who bring dogs into the municipality for more than 90 days shall obtain individual Municipality of Anchorage dog licenses for each dog and shall apply for a special purpose license, if applicable, in accordance with section 17.15.060 below.
(AO No. 2001-158(S-4), § 1, 1-1-2003)
A. 
Application for a dog license shall be to the chief animal control officer or an authorized vendor. The application shall include:
1. 
The name and residence address of the owner of the dog;
2. 
The name, breed, color, age, sex, and reproductive status of the dog;
3. 
Proof that the dog has a current rabies vaccination and tag; and
4. 
The license fee required by regulation.
B. 
Dog licenses shall be valid for up to one, two, or three years from the date of issuance, at the option of the pet owner or custodian, and shall expire in conjunction with the expiration date of the rabies vaccination. Proof of a current rabies vaccination for the entire licensing period selected is required.
C. 
An application to renew a dog license shall be made in the same manner as an application for a new license.
D. 
The chief animal control officer may permit the application, purchase, and issuance of dog licenses by mail.
E. 
The chief animal control officer may authorize veterinarians or other persons as vendors to issue licenses.
F. 
Dog licenses issued under prior municipal ordinances shall remain valid until their expiration.
(AO No. 2001-158(S-4), § 1, 1-1-2003; AO No. 2019-91(S-1), § 8, 12-3-2019)
The chief animal control officer may authorize veterinarians or other persons as vendors to issue Municipality of Anchorage dog licenses. If issued in this manner, the vendor may retain a portion of the license fee for new or renewed licenses issued as set by regulation. Vendors may use a computer generated application, approved by the chief animal control officer, if the form contains the same information set forth in section 17.15.030A.
(AO No. 2001-158(S-4), § 1, 1-1-2003)
A. 
A dog shall bear a current Municipality of Anchorage dog license tag securely fastened to its collar, chain collar, or harness at all times except:
1. 
Any licensed dog while confined on the owner's or custodian's premises; or
2. 
While in competition, in training or while hunting.
B. 
The animal care and control center or authorized vendor shall issue the dog owner a numbered receipt and a tag stamped with a number, authorized by the chief animal control officer, for each license purchased under section 17.15.010.
C. 
No person shall use a municipal dog license tag, microchip, or receipt for a dog other than the one for which it was issued.
(AO No. 2001-158(S-4), § 1, 1-1-2003; AO No. 2004-86, § 5, 5-18-2004; AO No. 2019-91(S-1), § 9, 12-3-2019)
A. 
The following special purpose licenses shall be required for persons or facilities keeping animals in the municipality:
1. 
Animal litter license. A person who sells or reconveys not more than three litters of dogs and/or cats in a calendar year shall be required to obtain an animal litter license:
a. 
Each litter shall be registered with the animal care and control center within seven weeks of birth for a fee set in accordance with chapter 17.70. Advertisements of any kind must show the litter license number in the ad. Any person who sells more than three litters in a calendar year must apply for a commercial facility license.
2. 
Multi-animal facility license. A person or facility, including a dwelling unit, residence, or business premise, that owns, possesses or is the custodian of four or more dogs, four or more cats, four or more rabbits, four or more ferrets, four or more horses or any combination of seven or more of the above animals, shall be required to obtain a multi-animal facility license:
a. 
This section shall not apply to a person who has a single litter of dogs and/or cats that are not for sale and under the age of four months.
b. 
This license shall be valid for two years from date of issuance.
3. 
Commercial facility license. A person or facility that, for any period of time, boards or grooms dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, and/or horses for fees or services, or any person or facility that reconveys four or more dogs or cats in a calendar year, or any person or facility that breeds more than three litters of dogs and/or cats in a calendar year shall be required to obtain a commercial facility license.
a. 
This license shall be valid for one year from date of issuance.
b. 
A pet store is a commercial facility for purposes of this section.
c. 
A veterinary clinic is not a commercial facility for purposes of this section.
4. 
Mushing facility license means a person or facility, including a dwelling unit, residence, or business premise that owns, houses, possesses, or acts as custodian of four or more dogs over the age of four months, that have been trained to be harnessed and pull sleds, carts, vehicles with humans and/or cargo for the sport of mushing whether for recreation, competition or for remuneration shall be required to obtain a mushing facility license.
a. 
This license shall be valid for two years from date of issuance.
b. 
This license shall be valid for any dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, or horses owned by the same person or facility of the mushing dogs on the same premises.
5. 
Animal rescue license. Animal rescues and animal rescue shelters shall be required to obtain an animal rescue license.
a. 
This license shall be valid for one year from date of issuance.
b. 
A veterinary clinic is not a rescue organization for purposes of this section.
B. 
Each animal in the facility, in addition to those covered under section 17.15.010C.3, that is required to have a MOA dog license shall be provided that license at no additional cost to the holder of the multiple animal facility license or mushing facility license.
C. 
Veterinary facilities are excluded from the requirements of section 17.15.060.
(AO No. 2001-158(S-4), § 1, 1-1-2003[1]; AO No. 2017-87, § 4, 6-13-2017; AO No. 2019-91(S-1), § 10, 12-3-2019)
[1]
Editor's note — In connection with adoption of AO 2001-158 (S-4), as amended, Assembly expression of legislative intent on 6-11-2002, was that any reference to "business" or "commercial" in Title 17 does not mean conducting a business for the purposes of other Titles.
A. 
Application for a special purpose license is made to the animal care and control center. The application shall include:
1. 
The type of special purpose license;
2. 
The name, address, and telephone number of the applicant, and the physical address and telephone number where animals are to be kept (A current listing of foster homes shall be made available for review upon request and kept confidential);
3. 
The number, species and breeds of dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, or horses to be kept on the premises;
4. 
A commercial facility license application shall include a copy of a current municipal and/or Alaska business license, if applicable;
5. 
Reserved;
6. 
The amount of the licensing fee;
7. 
Proof of current rabies vaccination for each animal over the age of four months, where the species is required to have a rabies vaccination;
8. 
A current diagram, to scale, of the premises, showing the peripheral boundaries, the location and dimensions of the premises where animals will be kept, and the location and use of any structures on adjacent lots; and
9. 
A statement from the applicant verifying that they have read the existing subdivision covenants, if any, for the premises where the animals are to be kept and that, to the best of their knowledge, the facility is in compliance with the covenants.
B. 
Renewal applications shall be made at least thirty days prior to the expiration of the current license and may rely upon facility drawings submitted with a prior application provided it portrays the current condition and layout of the facility or location. Applicants must certify that there have been no significant changes in the numbers, types and species of animals since the prior application. Upon request, applicants must provide current rabies vaccinations proof for each animal over the age of four months where the species is required to have a rabies vaccination by law.
C. 
A special purpose license shall not be issued to or renewed where the applicant has been convicted of an offense under Chapter 8.55 or inhumane treatment of animals in another jurisdiction.
D. 
Upon receipt of a complete and timely application for renewal of a special purpose license, such license shall be issued within 30 days unless the applicant has received notice the special purpose license has been revoked or there has been a structural change to the property. No new or previously revoked special purpose license shall be issued until an inspection of the premises where the animals will be kept is made.
(AO No. 2001-158(S-4), § 1, 1-1-2003; AO No. 2007-79, § 2, 6-26-2007; AO No. 2017-87, § 5, 6-13-2017; AO No. 2019-91(S-1), § 11, 12-3-2019)
A. 
The chief animal control officer may deny or revoke a special purpose license on the following grounds:
1. 
The manner or method of keeping animals constitutes a health hazard to humans or animals;
2. 
The manner or method of keeping the animals violates any ordinance or regulation under this title; or
3. 
A present or prior violation of a term, condition or limitation of the license issued under this title.
B. 
An animal control officer shall issue a notice to revoke or deny, a special purpose license for any violation of this title or failure to adhere to conditions of a special purpose license. The notice shall state in writing the steps the applicant may take, with a set reasonable time period, to correct any violations stipulated. If the officer observes conditions that immediately threaten an animal's or the public's health, safety or welfare, an order to cease and desist operation may be issued in lieu of a notice to revoke or deny. Following the time period stipulated in the notice to revoke or deny, an inspection shall be made by the animal care and control center to determine if the violation is abated or corrected. If the violation remains or other violations have occurred, the chief animal control officer may deny or revoke the license.
C. 
If a special purpose license is denied or revoked, the animal care and control center shall prepare a written report which includes:
1. 
Reasons for denial or revocation; and
2. 
Time periods the animal care and control center allowed the applicant to comply with any notices to correct conditions required to obtain or keep a license.
D. 
The applicant shall receive a copy of the report within fourteen business days of the denial or revocation.
E. 
If, upon complaint filed by a citizen of the municipality, a court of competent jurisdiction finds that recorded covenants relating to the requirements of this title have been violated and have not been waived for the premises where the animals are kept, the chief animal control officer shall revoke that license following receipt of a copy of the court's findings and order. The holder of the license shall be notified of the license revocation in writing.
(AO No. 2001-158(S-4), § 1, 1-1-2003; AO No. 2017-87, § 6, 6-13-2017)
A. 
The animal care and control center may inspect the premises and/or animals of all special purpose licensees annually or upon a public complaint. The animal care and control center may inspect prior to the issuance or renewal of a multi-animal or commercial facility license.
B. 
Special purpose license inspections:
1. 
A commercial facility, open to the public, may be inspected without notice during the times of normal business operations; or
2. 
A private residence may be inspected within 72 hours of notification to the resident of the intent to inspect. This notice requirement applies to annual, license issuance or renewal inspections only. It does not apply to inspections conducted upon public complaints. Inspections shall be conducted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
3. 
Inspections shall be conducted by animal control officers and/or a licensed veterinarian trained to examine all animals in the facility.
(AO No. 2001-158(S-4), § 1, 1-1-2003; AO No. 2013-142, § 3, 12-17-2013)