Franchise Profile

St. Louis County, Missouri Dog Resource Guide

Laws and Ordinances that Affect Dog Owners

• Licensing Laws - Missouri state laws require that all dogs be licensed and wear proof of licensure at all times. Proof of vaccination against rabies must be presented at time of licensing. Check with your local government offices for age and pricing regulations.
• Leashing Laws - Owners in Ferguson (Sec. 6-5) and St. Louis (10.04.140) may not allow their dogs to run at large.
•  “Pooper Scooper” Laws - Hazelwood (Sect. 210.100), Ferguson (Sect. 6-6), and St. Louis (Sect. 10.04.310) both require that owners clean up any waste left by their pets when on public or private property not their own.
• Other Laws Affecting Dog Owners - Owners in Hazelwood (Sect. 210.080) may not have more than three cats or dogs over the age of four months per residence.
  Owners in Ferguson (Sect. 6-21) may only keep a pit-bull if they are registered with the city code enforcers and keep the dog in a securely locked building or pen or muzzled and on a leash four feet long or less when outside. The leash must be in the hand of the owner at all times.

Dog Parks and Dog Park Organization

Dogs are welcome at the Hazelwood Sports Complex but must be kept on a leash at all times.

Dogparks of Greater St. Louis (D.O.G.S.) is a non-profit organization dedicated to building and maintaining dog parks in St. Louis. Visit their website for a complete listing of available dog parks and upcoming events.

Gateway Golden Retriever Rescue in St. Louis is a non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers and dedicated to finding loving homes for abandoned golden retrievers.

Stray Rescue of St. Louis is a non-profit, no-kill shelter that takes dogs that have been abused and abandoned on the streets and through intensive medical care and behavioral training offers them a second chance in life as loving house pets.

Humane Societies and Animal Shelters

The City of St. Louis Animal Care and Control has animals available for adoption. Their website also offers insight on animal behaviors and training.

The Animal Protective Association of Missouri is a shelter dedicated to improving the circumstances of abandoned or unwanted pets in the state of Missouri. The APA also promotes educational programs for pet owners and therapy and outreach programs for hospitals, schools, and nursing homes.

The Humane Society of Missouri seeks to give any animal a second chance through proper medical care, training, and placement in a loving home. The Humane Society also hopes to reduce the number of unwanted pets by educating the public on responsible pet ownership, offering low-cost spay and neuter programs, and many therapeutic and educational outreach programs. 

Additional dog organizations and ideas that we support

The Animal House Fund is an organization dedicated to raising the funds needed to help animals in the city of St. Louis. Their current project is to fund the building of a brand new animal care and adoption center.

Nooterville is an organization that provides financial assistance to eligible owners in the St. Louis area for spaying or neutering surgery.

Operation S.P.O.T. offers spay and neuter assistance and educational programs for pet owners. “OpSPOT’s” goal is to eliminate the euthanasia of healthy animals around the St. Louis area through increasing public awareness on spaying/neutering and responsible pet ownership.

Metro Animal Resource Services is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization that seeks to reduce the number of euthanized animals in the St. Louis area through spay/neuter clinics and assistance, a senior citizen pet owner assistance program, and other programs and fundraisers. Visit their website for a complete list of services and programs as well as a list of pet-friendly apartments in the area and a list of local rescues and shelters.

The Greater St. Louis Training Club is a non-proft training club for pet owners in St. Louis. Visit their website for more information on how to join and participate in obedience training and other activities.

The St. Louis County Health Department offers a list of important facts about responsible pet ownership. You can also see a list of their available pets if you are interested in adopting.