Frequently Asked Questions
How do I file a complaint?
What are the laws governing animal control in Richland County?
Do I need to license my pet?
My neighbor’s dog barks constantly, what should I do?
What can I do about loose dogs in my community?
Who do I call if I am missing my animal?
An Animal Care Officer picked up by pet; how can I redeem him/her?
How can I redeem my animal?
What is the holding period for stray animals picked up by Animal Care?
Can I surrender my animal to Animal Care and is there a fee?
How many animals can I own?
Can I adopt a pet from Animal Care?
Can I trap stray cats or dogs that come in my yard?
What is the Community Cat Program?
If I own a trap, can I call Animal Care to remove an animal?
Can an Animal Care Officer remove animals from my attic?
My pet has died; will Animal Care dispose of the animal?
Can an Animal Care Officer enter my yard to remove an animal?
How does Animal Care respond to calls?
Can Animal Care recommend a veterinarian?
How can I report an abandoned or abused animal?
Do I need a kennel license to breed pets?
You may file a complaint or request for service by calling the Ombudsman’s Office at (803) 929-6000.
What are the laws governing animal control in Richland County?
You can find the complete text in chapter 5 of the Richland County Ordinances.
Do I need to license my pet?
Residents of Richland County must obtain a license annually for their dogs and cats. See the Licensing page on this website for requirements, fees and forms.
My neighbor’s dog barks constantly, what should I do?
The first action you should take is to speak with your neighbor. You may be able to resolve the problem by discussing it with your neighbor. Your neighbor may not be aware that their dogs' barking is disturbing you. Dogs often bark when their owners are not home. If for some reason you are unable to resolve the problem by speaking with your neighbor, you should contact the Ombudsman's Office at (803) 929-6000 and file a complaint.
The officer will either speak to the owners of the dogs or leave a written notice advising the owners that a complaint has been made. If the problem is not resolved, the Animal Care Officer may issue a citation. You will be asked to testify in court. You will need to keep a written log of the barking. Date, time, frequency and duration of the barking is necessary in order to determine if the barking is excessive and unwarranted. A tape recording or video recording of the barking is also helpful. You will be asked to provide Animal Care with documentation and recordings before a citation is issued.
What can I do about loose dogs in my community?
Pet owners in Richland County must not allow their pets to roam unrestrained. You may call Animal Care to remove the animal. Call the Ombudsman's Office at (803) 929-6000 and request to have your complaint investigated. If violations of the ordinances are found, a citation may be issued to the owner or the animal may be picked up. If the animal is picked up the owner pays fees and is issued a citation when redeeming the animal.
If you know the owner's name or other contact information, it is very helpful to provide this information when you call.
Who do I call if I am missing my animal?
Call Animal Care at (803) 929-6000 and give a description of your pet along with your name, address, telephone numbers and the date your pet was last seen. Animal Care will determine if an animal that matches your description was picked up and impounded. It is difficult to identify mixed breed animals due to discrepancies and variations in descriptions. The best way to ensure the safe return of your lost animal is to have your pet licensed by the County.
If your pet is wearing a tag with your positive identification information, an attempt will be made to contact you. If the pet tag information is inaccessible you will be notified by telephone as soon as the information is obtained. Please remember, animals will sometimes lose their tags. There is always a chance the collar may not be on when the animal is picked up.
You may view the animals currently housed in the View Animals page of this website. Contact the Ombudsman’s Office in reference to animals that may not have been posted due to injury or the health of the animal.
You should also call or visit the animal shelters and veterinarians in your area.
An Animal Care Officer picked up my pet; how can I redeem him/her?
If you know that your pet is in the custody of Animal Care, please contact the Ombudsman Office at (803)929-6000. Your pet must be current with his/her rabies vaccination, registered with Richland County and spayed or neutered prior to redemption, see Section 5-14 of Richland County Ordinance. If you recognize your pet on this website, please call Animal Care immediately.
How can I redeem my animal?
Owners of animals impounded by Animal Care Officers have the right to redeem their pet. Stray animals are held for five days. Pets wearing an identification tag are held for fourteen days. Owners of dangerous/vicious and nuisance animals may not redeem their pets unless authorized by the Department of Animal Care and certain conditions are met or until after a court hearing.
When redeeming your pet, please bring the following information with you:
- Proof of your pet’s current license
- Proof of current rabies vaccination
- Verification that your pet has been spayed or neutered
Animals will not be released without proof of vaccination and a current license. Owners of fertile pets are required to have their pets spayed or neutered before redemption. You must be at least eighteen years of age and have a valid picture I.D.
Owners of pets in violation of the animal ordinance will be issued appropriate citation(s).
Please contact the ombudsman office at 929-6000 to inquire about the redemption of your pet.
Identification
Before fees are collected you must physically identify your pet. Please call our office at 576-2461 to make an appointment to identify your pet.
Any animal, which has been determined to be a dangerous or vicious animal, may be impounded and may not be redeemed unless the County Chief of Animal Care authorizes such redemption. Restrictions will apply if the animal is released.
What is the holding period for stray animals picked up by Animal Care?
Stray animals are impounded and held for five days when there is no County tag or other identification on the animal picked up. An animal wearing a County tag or other identifying tag will be held for fourteen days while efforts are made to contact the owner. Sick, injured, diseased or dangerous animals will not be held or placed in the population of other animals if it has been determined to be unsafe or unhealthy for personnel or other animals.
Can I surrender my pet to Animal Care and is there a fee?
Owners are responsible for the care of their pets. However, sick or injured pets may be surrendered to Animal Care and be picked up at the owner's request. In Richland County there is no holding period for animals released by their owners. Be absolutely sure that you have made the right decision before calling Animal Care. There is no fee to release your animal to Animal Care. Owners can surrender their healthy pets directly to the City of Columbia Animal Shelter after an initial consultation. To schedule your consultation, contact the City of Columbia Animal Shelter at 803-776-7387. The City of Columbia Animal Shelter is located at 127 Humane Ln, Columbia, SC 29209.
How many animals can I own?
In Richland County there is no limit to the number of animals a resident can own. However, all animals must be maintained in a safe and humane environment, and in a manner which does not contribute to a nuisance in the community. Each pet must be licensed with the County. The penalty in Richland County for unlicensed dogs or cats is five hundred dollars ($500.00).
Can I adopt a pet from Animal Care?
No. Animals that are suitable for adoption can be adopted through City of Columbia Animal Services. You may also contact Pawmetto Lifeline at 803-465-9150 or visit www.pawmettolifeline.org. Shelter pets deserve a second chance at a life.
Can I trap stray cats or dogs that come in my yard?
The County provides traps for citizens to catch stray dogs or cats. Due to the high demand for traps, it may be ten days or more before a trap is delivered. Only the use of humane traps are permitted. Trapped cats may be returned to your area after they have been vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and ear-notched as part of the Community Cat Program.
Healthy free roaming cats that are impounded or turned into the animal care facility will be evaluated by a veterinarian before being spayed/neutered, vaccinated for rabies, ear tipped for identification, and then returned to the area from which it was removed. This program is intended to simultaneously reduce the number of unwanted cat births while also reducing the number of cats that have to be euthanized.
If I own a trap, can I call Animal Care to remove an animal?
Yes, Animal Care will remove the animal. Only the use of humane traps is permitted. The owner of the trap is responsible for resetting and baiting the trap.
Can an Animal Care Officer remove animals from my attic?
There are some situations involving animals that cannot be handled by Animal Care Officers due to the threat of injury to our personnel. Some services we cannot provide are climbing into attics, going under structures and climbing trees.
My pet has died; will Animal Care dispose of the animal?
Animal Care will dispose of a dog or cat. The owner must place the pet in a double garbage bag and leave it visible for removal. All other animal removals are the responsibility of the homeowner.
Can an Animal Care Officer enter my yard to remove an animal?
Animal Care Officers can enter private property under certain conditions. An officer may enter the property to investigate any violation observed in progress. If an Officer is chasing an animal and the animal runs into the owner's yard, the officer may enter the property and remove the animal if the owner or custodian is not there to properly confine the animal.
How does Animal Care respond to calls?
Animal Care gives priority to situations that are involving the public health and safety of a person or a domestic pet. Loose aggressive dogs, animal bites, animals at large, injured or sick stray dogs or cats, possible cruelty situations, and dogs running in heavy traffic or on school grounds are responded to before nuisance concerns. All complaints including nuisance animals will be responded to within twenty-four hours. This does not include requests for animal traps.
Can Animal Care recommend a veterinarian?
Animal Care cannot recommend one veterinarian over another. We suggest that you ask friends and family to recommend a veterinarian to you with whom they have been satisfied. You may use this link to search for veterinarians in your area. Remember the veterinarians listed are not recommendations of the Animal Care Department.
How can I report an abandoned or abused animal?
If you have knowledge of an animal that has been abandoned or abused by its owner feel free to contact the Ombudsman's Office at: (803) 929-6000 or AnimalCare@richlandcountysc.gov.
Do I need a kennel license to breed pets?
Animal Care does not require a kennel license for breeding pets. However if you are breeding pets to sell then you are required to obtain a commercial pet breeder’s license. Commercial pet breeders of dogs and cats are required by law to obtain a commercial pet breeder license. There is an annual fee and inspection of your property before it is issued or renewed. Commercial pet breeders should also contact the County’s Business Service Center to inquire about obtaining a required separate business license. For more information see Section 5-2 of the Richland County Ordinance or visit the Licensing page of this website.