Qualified house pets are welcome in Nebraska City as long as their owners follow the established regulations as follows.

Regulations

Residents are limited to three dogs and cats without having a kennel license.

Animals may not disturb others by frequent barking, howling, yelping or meowing.

All dogs and cats shall be vaccinated for rabies.

Licenses for dogs and cats are required by April 1 or after the animal reaches the age of six months. Tags are not transferable between animals.

Information tags issued by the city clerk shall be attached to collar or harness. Tags are replaced with a $5 fee.

No dog shall run at large and pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their animals.

License Fees

The license fee for spayed or neutered dogs and cats is $5 annually. The fee is $20 for dogs and cats who are not spayed or neutered. For residents age 62 and over the fees are $3 or $16.

Pet protections

It is unlawful to poison or attempt to injure any dog or cat that is the property of another.

It is unlawful to place poison or poisoned food where it is accessible to any dog or cat.

The owner of an animal is liable for damage if the animal attacks another animal.

Adequate shelter shall be provided for all animals.

No animal shall be abandoned within the city.

 Impounding

Licensed animals with tags shall be kept in impoundment for five days. Unlicensed animals shall be kept for three days. If animal is not claimed by the end of the waiting period, it may be disposed of as provided by law.

Impoundment fees: the impoundment fee for pets with licenses is $25. Other impoundment fees are $50 first offense, $75 second offense, $100 third offense. Owner shall also be assessed the cost of care and feeding of the animal during impoundment.

If any dog chases, bites or attempts to bite a person, the dog shall be regarded as dangerous. Dangerous dogs found at large may be immediately disposed of.

Prohibited pets 

Poisonous reptiles, alligators or lizards over two feet long, snakes over six feet long, skunks, lions, bears, kangaroo, eagle, buffalo, poisonous stinging insects or arachnid, or any other animal normally found living in the wild that is not normally subjected to domestication.