A pet license in Omaha is required for every dog, cat, and mini-pig older than three months, issued by the Nebraska Humane Society on behalf of the city, and renewed every January. Fees for 2026 run from $16.50 for an altered cat to $54.50 for an intact dog or cat.1Nebraska Humane Society. Pet Licensing
Who Needs a License and by When
If your dog, cat, or mini-pig is older than three months and you live in Omaha, the animal needs a license. New residents and anyone who has just acquired a pet have thirty days to register. The license covers one calendar year and must be renewed each January.1Nebraska Humane Society. Pet Licensing
Skipping licensing is not a quiet option. Animal control officers can cite unlicensed pets, and owners who never license voluntarily may be assessed an additional $200 penalty fee on top of the license cost.1Nebraska Humane Society. Pet Licensing
2026 Fees
Fees turn on whether the animal has been spayed or neutered. For 2026:2Nebraska Humane Society. 2026 Pet License Application
- Altered dog: $29.50
- Altered cat: $16.50
- Intact dog: $54.50
- Intact cat: $54.50
A $1.25 state fee is already built into each amount. To get the altered rate, submit proof of spay or neuter from a licensed veterinarian with your application. Service animals are licensed at no charge.1Nebraska Humane Society. Pet Licensing
Omaha does not offer a senior citizen discount. Some neighboring jurisdictions do, which is a common source of confusion, but the city itself has no age-based reduction.1Nebraska Humane Society. Pet Licensing
Late Fees After March 15
Licenses are due January 1 and become delinquent after March 15. The penalty scales fast:1Nebraska Humane Society. Pet Licensing
- March 16 through March 31: license fees are doubled, with late fees capped at $100 per household.
- April 1 through December 31: a flat $50 penalty per pet is added to the regular fee, still capped at $100 per household in late fees.
- No voluntary license at all: an additional $200 penalty may be assessed.
An intact dog licensed on time costs $54.50. Wait until April and it becomes $104.50. Ignore it entirely and it can run past $250.
What to Have Ready Before You Apply
Gather these before you start the form:
- A current rabies vaccination certificate. Nebraska law requires every domestic animal to be vaccinated, and your certificate should list the vaccine type, date administered, expiration date, and the veterinarian’s name.3Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Code 71-4402 – Vaccination Against Rabies; Required; Vaccine; Sales
- Proof of spay or neuter, only if you want the altered rate.
- Proof of at least $100,000 in liability insurance, only if you are licensing a restricted breed.4Nebraska Humane Society. Animal Control
- Owner information (name, address, phone) and pet details (breed, color, sex), plus your veterinarian’s name and the rabies expiration date.2Nebraska Humane Society. 2026 Pet License Application
Three Ways to Apply
Online
The Nebraska Humane Society runs an online portal that takes credit card payment. You’ll need your pet license number, microchip number, or notice reference number along with your last name to pull up the record, and you’ll get an emailed confirmation once payment clears.5Nebraska Humane Society. Pet License Registration Service animal, potentially dangerous, dangerous, and mini-pig licenses cannot be handled online; those go through mail or in person.
By Mail
Download the 2026 application from the Nebraska Humane Society website. Send it with your rabies certificate, spay/neuter proof if you’re claiming the altered rate, insurance proof if you’re licensing a restricted breed, and a check to:2Nebraska Humane Society. 2026 Pet License Application
Nebraska Humane Society
Attn: Pet Avocation Permits
8929 Fort Street
Omaha, NE 68134
Do not send cash. Checks are processed as a one-time electronic debit.
In Person
Apply at the Nebraska Humane Society shelter at the Fort Street address above. Many local veterinary clinics also handle licensing, so you can take care of it during a vaccination visit.1Nebraska Humane Society. Pet Licensing
Restricted Breeds Have Extra Steps
Omaha classifies Pit Bulls, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs, Presa Canarios, Dogos Argentinos, and Cane Corsos as restricted breeds. Owning one is legal, but licensing requires that you be at least 19 years old and carry $100,000 in liability insurance coverage. A homeowner’s or renter’s policy that includes animal liability usually satisfies this, but confirm with your insurer that your specific breed is covered, because some policies exclude certain dogs.4Nebraska Humane Society. Animal Control
Household Pet Limits
Standard rules cap a household at three dogs, five cats, and two mini-pigs. If you want more, you can apply for a pet avocation permit, which allows up to five dogs and six cats with no more than eight total pets in the home. The permit is separate from licensing, and each animal still needs its own annual license.4Nebraska Humane Society. Animal Control If you’re near the limit and thinking of adding another pet, sort out the permit before the animal comes home.