Pets in Frankfurt

Understand pet ownership requirements in Frankfurt: restricted breeds, how to register a dog, taking pets out in public places and where to find animal shelters...

Dog Registration in Frankfurt

Owners or keepers in Frankfurt must register their dog within two weeks after:

  • Adopting or buying a dog
  • Relocating to Frankfurt with a dog

Puppies must be registered within two weeks after they become three months old.

There are two ways for dog owners to register their pets:

  1. In person – The owner or their representative can register the dog at the Treasury and Tax Office (Kassen- und Steueramt). The owner’s identity card or, for a representative, an authorisation letter from the dog’s owner should be presented
  2. In writing – Application can be made online, by telephone or in person.

Dangerous Dogs/Restricted Breeds

Before the acquisition of a dangerous or fighting dog, the owner is required to obtain a permit at the Office of Public Order (Ordnungsamt). The application can be completed in writing or in person at the Office of Public Order.

Dog Licence Tax (Hundesteuer)

Owning or keeping a dog for private purposes in Frankfurt is subject to a dog licence tax (Hundesteuer).

Individuals liable to dog licence tax are:

  • The owner or owners of a dog
  • The keeper who has a dog in their care for more than two months

Tax is payable on a per dog, per year basis and begins on the first day of the calendar month in which the dog is acquired. The owner of a puppy is liable for the dog licence tax two weeks after the puppy is three months old. The tax liability ends at the end of the month after the dog ownership finished.

An exemption for the tax is granted for dogs used solely for protecting and helping blind, deaf or disabled individuals. To qualify, disabled individuals must have a disabled identity card with the classification code of ‘B’, ‘BL’, ‘aG’ or ‘H’. This exemption does not apply to dangerous dogs.

The tax payable on dangerous dogs is much higher than for standard dogs. Breeds or groups considered to be dangerous are:

  • Pitbull terriers or American pitbull terriers
  • American Staffordshire terriers or Staffordshire terriers
  • Staffordshire bull terriers
  • Bull terriers
  • American bulldogs
  • Dogo argentinos
  • Kangals (karabash)
  • Kaukasischer Owtscharka
  • Rottweilers

More information is available from the city of Frankfurt on dangerous dogs.

  • For more information about the dog licence tax (in German): Click here
  • For more information about dangerous dogs (in German): Click here

Dog De-registration (Hundeabmeldung)

Owners or keepers must de-register their dog within two weeks after:

  • The dog has died; a confirmation certificate from a veterinarian is required in order to deregister the dog
  • The dog has been sold or given away; the name and address of the new owner should be presented with application
  • The owner and dog move away from Frankfurt

There are two ways for dog owners to deregister their pets:

  1. In person – A dog owner or their representative can deregister at the Treasury and Tax Office (Kassen- und Steueramt) of any local municipal office
  2. In writing – Application can be made online, by telephone or in person

With dangerous or fighting dogs, the owner is also required to de-register at the Office of Public Order (Ordnungsamt). The application can be made in writing or in person at the Office of Public Order.

 

  • For more information from the city of Frankfurt about dog registration and deregistration (in German): Click here

Animal Welfare in Frankfurt

Der Tierschutzverein Frankfurt (The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Frankfurt) was one of the first non-profit animal welfare organisations in Germany. The organisation promotes animal protection, educates people on animal welfare issues and prevents animal abuse. It has an animal rescue centre and an animal shelter (Tierheim), offers a sanctuary (Gnadenhof) for large animals and operates a pet cemetery (Tierfriedhof).

Der Frankfurter Katzenschutzverein (Cat Protection Society of Frankfurt) was founded in 1964. It is a non-profit organization devoted to assist needy cats with food and shelter, veterinary care, spaying and neutering. Members, adoptions and donations are welcome.

Established in 1974, Der Tierschutzverein Schwalbach und Frankfurt-West operates shelters for small animals and sanctuary for wild cats. The organization also remodeled an old caravan into a senior home (Altersheim) to accommodate older and physically disabled cats. Members, adoptions and donations are welcome.

Animal Health and Rescue Service

UNA Union für das Leben e.V. provides 24-hour animal emergency services. Pet taxi, animal search, rescue and veterinary service are provided.