Pet Owner Resources
Everyday Care: Keep Your Pet Safe, Healthy, and Within County Guidelines
Caring for your pet means more than food and shelter. It includes preparing for weather, providing a safe living space, and keeping vaccinations up to date and licenses current. These basic steps protect your pet’s health, help reunite you if they’re lost, and keep you in compliance with Sedgwick County code.
In Sedgwick County, the following animals aged five (5) months or older are required to have current rabies vaccination:
- Dogs
- Cats
- Ferrets
Additionally, dogs aged five (5) months or older are required to be licensed and wear a current rabies tag.
Learn more about these requirements on our Licensing and Vaccination page.
Pets can handle some changes in weather, but extreme heat and cold can be dangerous.
When it’s hot:
- Bring pets indoors. If it feels too hot for you, it’s too hot for them—especially pets with thick fur.
- Provide clean, fresh water at all times.
- Make sure there is shade and limit time spent outside.
When it’s cold:
- Bring pets indoors. Even animals with thick coats can get too cold. If your pet is shivering, it needs warmth.
- If using a dog house, it should insulated, have dry bedding, and face away from the wind (typically facing south).
- Check water regularly to ensure it isn’t frozen.
Pets need space to move and a safe place to rest. Make sure your setup supports their safety and comfort.
- Keep dogs on a leash or in a secure, fenced yard when outside.
- Fences should be high and secure enough to prevent jumping or squeezing through.
- Provide an insulated shelter like a dog house, especially during colder months.
- Repair hazards like splinters, sharp edges, exposed nails, or holes.
- Keep bedding clean, dry, and changed regularly.
- Place shelter in shade during summer and position the opening away from wind in winter.
To keep our pets safe and stay compliant with local laws, please take a moment to review the Sedgwick County tethering regulations found in Section 5-197 of the Code of Ordinances.
- Use tethering only for short periods and while you are nearby. It should not be a permanent solution.
- Allow at least 10 feet of length so your pet can move freely.
- Use a size and weight that won’t injure your pet.
- Check that the tether cannot get tangled on objects like fences or decks.
- Make sure your pet can always reach water, shade, and protection from the weather.
Sedgwick County Animal Control does not endorse or recommend specific organizations and is not responsible for external website content. Services, availability, and coverage areas may change over time. Please contact the organization directly for current details.
| Organization/Link | Description |
|---|---|
| The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) | Guidance on pet care, animal welfare, and preventing cruelty. |
| American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) | Science-based information on animal health and vaccinations. |
| Code 3 Associates | Training for animal control and cruelty investigations. |
| Great Plains Nature Center | Education and programs about local wildlife and nature. |
| Kansas Humane Society | Pet adoption, owner resources, and community programs. |
| National Animal Control Association (NACA) | Training and standards for animal control professionals. |
| National Cruelty Investigations School (NCIS) | Training for investigating animal cruelty and neglect. |
| Safe Capture International Inc. | Tools and training for humane animal capture. |
| Sedgwick County Animal Response Team (SCART) | Emergency response and animal rescue support. |
| Wichita Animal Shelter | Lost pet reunification and shelter services. |
Dog and Cat Breeds
While breeds don't necessarily make the dog or cat, they can tell us a lot about what to expect in appearance, behavior and other characteristics. It's important to do a little research before you adopt a new pet into your family.
These are a must-have to keep your pet healthy and in compliance with Sedgwick County code.
Watch the Weather
Animals often are more resilient to changing weather, but extreme weather affects them as much as it affects their owners.
When temperatures rise:
- Bring your pets inside – if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pets, especially pets with thick fur. Just imagine wearing a fur coat during the summer – uncomfortable and dangerous!
- Provide plenty of fresh water – if you wouldn’t drink it, your pets shouldn’t either.
- Make sure your pets have access to a shaded area and limit their time spent outdoors.
When temperatures fall:
- Bring your pets inside – even animals with thick coats can freeze in cold weather. If your pet is shivering, it’s too cold for him/her.
- A dog house should be insulated, adequate bedding provided, and the opening should face south to avoid the cold northern winds blowing inside.
- Make sure your pet’s water isn’t frozen.
Fences, Houses and Chains
Animals need room to roam and a safe place to sleep. Do your fences, houses and chains meet these guidelines?
Fences
- Dogs must remain on leashes or in fenced yards when outdoors.
- Dogs should not be able to jump over fences or squeeze through openings.
Houses
- Insulated houses, especially in the winter, are important for your dog.
- Splinters, jagged edges, exposed nails and holes should be repaired.
- Bedding should be washed regularly and kept dry.
- Place the house in a shaded area in the summer and point the opening so the wind does not blow in (usually south) in the winter.
Chains
- Only use chains, ropes or other materials to "tie up" your pet temporarily and when you are nearby. Do not tie up your dog (or any pet) as a permanent means of detainment.
- Allow 10 or more feet in chain or rope to let your dog move around easily.
- Make sure the chain or rope is an appropriate size – if it’s too heavy, it can harm your pet.
- Make sure your dog can’t get caught on a fence, deck or other obstruction that might cause harm.
- Make sure your dog can reach shade, water and protection from the weather.