Animal Care License

A City of Chicago business license is required for animal care -related activities.  A City of Chicago Animal Care license is required for several animal-related business activities.

An animal care facility is a business that grooms, boards, breeds, trains, lets for hire (other than guard dogs), or provides day care for any dog or cat.

A pet shop is a business that sells animals as pets. Pet shops in Chicago are prohibited from selling dogs, cats or rabbits. However, pet shops may provide space to animal shelters or rescue organizations to house and display for adoption dogs, cats, or rabbits so long as the pet shop has no ownership or monetary interest in the animals displayed for adoption.

A human society is any not-for-profit corporation charted under the laws of the State of Illinois for animal welfare.

A veterinary hospital is any establishment operated by a veterinarian for the diagnosis, vaccination, treatment or surgery of animals. Veterinary hospitals must be licensed by the State of Illinois.

A permanent animal exhibition is any public or private animal exhibition staged in Chicago, with or without charge to viewers, including zoos, circuses, rodeos, dog shows, cat shows, livestock exhibitions, horse shows, or the display of any animal for purposes of advertising or promotion with a duration exceeding 30 consecutive days. Exhibitions lasting 30 consecutive days or less are issued by the Chicago Commission on Animal Care and Control (CACC).


related license 

Temporary animal exhibitions with a duration of 30 consecutive days or less are issued by the Chicago Commission on Animal Care and Control (CACC).

Application Requirements  

  • A debt check will be conducted as part of the application process. All City debt must be resolved for the license to be issued.
  • An inspection of the premises will be conducted by Chicago Animal Care and Control.

Required Documents 

  • Documents required to identify the business depend on the business legal entity type. For more information, see the Required Documents page.
  • Interior layout of premises engaged in boarding or grooming animals may be required as part of the zoning review process.

License Process 

  • Submit initial business information in person or online
  • Receive zoning approval from the City
  • Complete and submit a full license application
  • Make payment for the license
  • Undergo a City debt check. All City debt must be resolved for the license to be issued.
  • Undergo inspection by Chicago Animal Care and Control
  • Receive license once all requirements are met

 

For more information on license application steps, see the Business License Application Steps webpage.

Cost 

$275 license fee


How to Apply 

In person: Visit the Small Business Center Visit Us webpage for wait times, location, and hours of operation.
Online: Visit the online business license application system.


Operating Requirements 

Operating Requirements

1. Provide animals with potable water at all times, and adequate nutrition appropriate for the species.
2. Provide litter pans for cats at all times. The pans must be cleaned and sanitized as necessary, but not less than once per day.
3. Maintain a record of the name, address, telephone number and emergency contact information of the owner for every animal in the licensee’s care.


Renewal Requirements 

Animal Care licenses are issued for a period of two years and must be renewed prior to expiration. For renewal information, see the Renewal page.

 

Resources 

For questions, call 312-74-GOBIZ (744-6249) or 312.744.1944, or email businesslicense@cityofchicago.org