Page last updated on March 12, 2026 at 11:14 am
Pet License
At this time there is no license needed for Bloomington. However, in the event your cat or dog escapes your property and you would like to assist with their quick return, consider registering your pets microchip number and rabies tag with Bloomington Animal Care and Control.
Chicken Flock Permit
A Chicken Flock is defined in the ordinances as up to five hens. No roosters are permitted. Persons wishing to have a chicken flock must first present a Chicken Flock Permit Application to the Animal Care and Control Department. Once Animal Control Officers have received these documents they will make contact with the applicant to set up a time for an inspection. See more details about chicken flocks inside of the City limits
Commercial Animal Establishment Permit
A Commercial Animal Establishment Permit is required for any pet shop, non-municipal animal shelter or sanctuary, auction, riding school or stable, zoological park, circus, or animal exhibition operating within the Bloomington city limits.
To obtain a permit, an application must be submitted to the Animal Care and Control Department. After the Commercial Animal Establishment Permit Application is received, an Animal Control Officer will contact the applicant to schedule an inspection.
The application is available below. Please note that the Commercial Kennel Permit and the Commercial Animal Establishment Permit are combined into a single application form.
Commercial Kennel Permit
A Commercial Kennel is defined as any person or business that boards animals, trains animals for a fee, and/or provides grooming services.
Anyone wishing to operate a Commercial Kennel must submit a Commercial Kennel Permit Application to the Animal Control Department and complete an inspection before a permit can be issued. The application can be found below.
Please note that the Commercial Kennel Permit and the Commercial Animal Establishment Permit are combined into a single application form.
Intact Animal and Litter Permit
An Intact Animal Permit is required for any person engaged in owning or harboring more than four dogs over the age of twelve months, any one of which is unaltered, and/or more than six cats over the age of twelve months, any one of which is unaltered.
A Litter Permit is required for any person who either intentionally or unintentionally causes or allows the breeding of a litter of dogs or cats in a twelve month period. Exceptions are only made if the parent animal(s) are spayed or neutered within fourteen weeks of the birth of the litter or the parent animal(s) and the litter are relinquished to the City of Bloomington Animal Care and Control Department within fourteen weeks of the birth of the litter.
Noncommercial Kennel Permit
Any person engaged in owning or harboring more than four altered dogs; more than six altered cats; or more than a total of ten altered dogs and cats combined is required to obtain a Noncommercial Kennel Permit. The Noncommercial Kennel Permit Application (DOC 64.50 KB) should be submitted to the Animal Care and Control Department.