Whether you just moved to Columbia or have lived here for years, it can be hard to find all the local pet rules and resources in one place. As a Columbia pet sitter, I get asked about them all the time, so I put together this guide for dog and cat owners in Columbia and Boone County.
Rules and services can change, so I link to the official sources throughout. Check them for the latest details.
Pet Licenses in Columbia
According to the City of Columbia, dogs and cats over three months old that live within city limits must be licensed. That includes indoor-only cats. A license requires a current rabies vaccination, so bring your pet’s vaccination paperwork when you apply.
Where to Get a Pet License
- Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services, 1005 W. Worley St.
- City Hall Business License Office, 701 E. Broadway
- Participating veterinary clinics (the city keeps a list on its Animal Control page)
How Much a Pet License Costs
The city lists these fees:
- Spayed or neutered pets: $5 for one year or $15 for three years
- Unaltered pets: $15 for one year or $45 for three years
A license does more than check a box. It shows your pet is vaccinated for rabies, helps get your pet home if they are lost, and helps fund local shelter and animal control services.
Columbia/Boone County Animal Control
Columbia/Boone County Animal Control enforces animal ordinances for both the City of Columbia and Boone County. Its work includes investigating complaints and cruelty reports, picking up sick or injured animals, responding to animal bites, and handling wildlife inside living areas of a home.
- Phone: 573-449-1888
- Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., seven days a week, except observed city holidays
- After hours: Call the same number. An on-call officer responds to emergencies such as animal bites, dangerous dogs running loose, sick or badly injured animals, large animals loose on a major road, and wildlife inside a home’s living area.
Animal Control also offers rabies education and low-cost or free spay and neuter vouchers, and it gives free rides home to animals with a microchip, city license, or other ID.
What to Do If Your Pet Is Lost in Columbia
- Search your immediate area right away and ask neighbors to check garages, sheds, and porches. Frightened pets often hide close to home.
- Call Animal Control at 573-449-1888 to report your pet missing.
- Check impounded animals online. The city says you can search 24petconnect.com, filter by ZIP code 65203, and look for “Columbia Boone County Animal Control” as the location.
- Post in the Columbia, Missouri Lost & Found Pets Facebook group with a clear photo and the area where your pet went missing.
- Contact the Central Missouri Humane Society at 616 Big Bear Blvd., 573-443-7387. Animal Control contracts with the shelter to house impounded animals.
To pick up a pet from Animal Control, the city asks you to call 573-449-1888 to schedule an appointment. Impound and boarding fees apply.
If You Find a Stray Dog
Shelter space in Columbia can be tight. In July 2026, KOMU reported that Animal Control temporarily paused stray dog intakes because of capacity at the shelter, and the health department asked residents to post found dogs, with a photo and location, in the Columbia, Missouri Lost & Found Pets Facebook group. Calling Animal Control first is still the best way to learn the current process.
Leash Rules and Leash-Free Areas in Columbia
Outside of designated leash-free areas, plan to keep your dog leashed in Columbia parks and on trails, and always bring waste bags. The City of Columbia lists these leash-free dog areas:
- Cosmo Park, 1615 Business Loop 70 W.: about 70 acres at the north end
- Garth Nature Area, 2799 N. Garth Ave.: a 3-acre fenced dog park
- Grindstone Nature Area, 2011 Old Hwy. 63 S.: leash-free except on the Hinkson Creek Trail
- Indian Hills Park, 5009 Aztec Blvd.: a 1.5-acre fenced dog park
For more detail on each, see our guide to Columbia dog parks.
Rock Bridge and Other Missouri State Parks
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, just south of Columbia, is a favorite for dog walks. Missouri State Parks require pets to stay on a leash no longer than 10 feet at all times. Pets are not allowed inside park buildings or in public swimming areas, and owners must pick up after their pets. The parks also note that portable fences and shock collars do not meet the leash requirement.
Emergency Veterinary Care in Columbia
Start by calling your regular veterinarian. For after-hours emergencies, the MU Veterinary Health Center at 900 E. Campus Drive has a Small Animal Emergency Service. It lists 573-882-7821 for weekday business hours and 573-882-4589 after hours. The VHC notes it currently prioritizes the most urgent cases because of staffing and demand, so call ahead whenever you can.
For a possible poisoning, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is available 24/7 at (888) 426-4435. A consultation fee may apply.
Columbia Pet Owner FAQs
Do indoor cats need a license in Columbia, MO?
Yes. The City of Columbia says dogs and cats over three months old in city limits must be licensed, including indoor-only cats.
Who handles animal control in Boone County?
Columbia/Boone County Animal Control covers both the City of Columbia and Boone County. Call 573-449-1888.
Can dogs go to Rock Bridge Memorial State Park?
Yes. Leashed dogs are welcome in Missouri State Parks on a leash no longer than 10 feet.
Where can my dog run off-leash in Columbia?
The city lists leash-free areas at Cosmo Park, Garth Nature Area, Grindstone Nature Area (except the Hinkson Creek Trail), and Indian Hills Park.
Local Pet Care From a Columbia Neighbor
I live in The Brooks and care for pets across Columbia, with a focus on The Brooks, Old Hawthorne, and The Vineyards. If you need dog walking, drop-in visits, or in-home pet sitting, book online or call or text (573) 206-9497.
