Multi-Pet and Foster Permit

Saginaw residents wishing to have more than the allowed number of dogs and cats in their household can apply for a Multi-Pet Permit. Residents wishing to foster animals from a registered rescue group can apply for a Foster Pet Permit. Below is information regarding the permits. If you have any questions, please call Animal Services at 817-230-0460.

Number of Dogs and Cats Allowed

  • No residence within the city shall have more than five adult dogs, five adult cats, or five adult dogs and cats in any combination (for example, 4 dogs and 1 cat or 4 cats and 1 dog). 
  • No residence within the City shall harbor more than one litter of puppies or one litter of kittens over 4 months of age at any given time.

Multi-Pet Permit - Application

Any person desiring to keep more than five adult dogs and/or cats or more than one litter of puppies or kittens at a residence may apply multi-pet permit allowing them to keep two additional dogs or cats. The applicant shall pay a yearly permit fee of $50 at the time of filing and must meet the following conditions:

  1. The applicant shall be the owner of the property. If the applicant is a renter/tenant of the property, they must provide a notarized letter from the property owner stating permission for the pets on the premises. This permission must be written, notarized, and must be provided annually or upon request.
  2. The animal control authority inspects the property and deems  it appropriate for housing multiple pets.
  3. Multi-pet permits must be renewed annually and each renewal will require inspection and approval.

Foster Pet Permit - Application

Any resident desiring to foster a dog or cat from a registered rescue group would need to fill out a Foster Pet Permit Application and turn it into Animal Services. The applicant shall pay a yearly permit fee of $25 at the time of filing and must meet the following conditions:

  1. Fostered animals are to be provided with adequate food, water, shelter, and shade at all times. The foster home must provide an area in which to segregate newly fostered animals until those animals can be socialized with other animals living in the foster home.
  2. The number of animals allowed to be fostered at a location shall be based on adequate housing space as determined by the size of animals being housed, and should not be more than two (2) adult animals (dogs or cats), or no more than two litters (dogs or cats).
  3. All fostered animals over the age of sixteen (16) weeks must be vaccinated against rabies.
  4. The foster caregiver shall be the owner of the property where the foster home is located or have notarized written permission of the owner of the property in order to participate as a foster home. If the foster caregiver is a tenant and not the owner of the property, written, notarized permission from the property owner or management company must be provided annually or upon request of the Animal Services Manager or their designee.
  5. The foster caregiver shall provide a letter from the rescue group stating they are an approved foster for the rescue group and provide proof of 501c3 status. This letter will also include the number(s), species, age, color and sex of the animal( s), sterilization proof( if completed, or estimated date of sterilization), and microchip number that is implanted in the animal.

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