State guide
Minnesota
Minnesota does not use one statewide local-animal-control model: larger cities such as Minneapolis and Saint Paul run city animal control, while some communities rely on local animal control or law enforcement. Wildlife rehabilitation is overseen by the Minnesota DNR, which tells the public to contact a permitted rehabilitator and provides a county list.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who handles animal control locally
- Usually city animal control in major cities; elsewhere, local animal control or law enforcement may handle bites and stray-animal enforcement.
- State wildlife agency (nuisance and injured wildlife)
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Nuisance wildlife help
- Official page →
- Reporting an animal bite
- For human exposure advice, call MDH at 651-201-5414; local animal control and law enforcement are responsible for enforcing animal-bite laws.
- State rabies contact
- Minnesota Department of Health for human exposure; Minnesota Board of Animal Health rabies program for pet and livestock exposure.
Official resources in Minnesota
Minnesota DNR guidance on when to leave wildlife alone and when to contact a permitted rehabilitator.
Official DNR county list of permitted wildlife rehabilitators.
Minnesota Board of Animal Health rabies page for animal exposures and local enforcement roles.
Minnesota Department of Health rabies page for human exposure advice and health-professional materials.
Key facts for Minnesota
- Minnesota DNR says contact a local permitted rehabilitator before handling or moving wild animals.
- An unlicensed citizen may not rehabilitate wildlife and may not transport injured wildlife over 24 hours.
- The Board of Animal Health investigates rabies cases and may quarantine exposed animals.
- MDH advises calling 651-201-5414 for bat contact or animal bites involving people.
- Local animal control and law enforcement enforce laws related to animal bites.
Local animal control offices in Minnesota
| Office | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis Animal Care & Control Hennepin | Minneapolis | 612-673-6222 | City animal control, sheltering, investigations, veterinary services, permits, and response to animal issues. |
| Animal Services Ramsey | Saint Paul | 651-266-1100 | Investigates complaints, enforces animal laws, handles aggressive animals, operates the city shelter, and issues licenses and permits. |
| Animal Control Office & Shelter Olmsted | Rochester | 507-328-6960 | Central city animal care and control office; non-emergency animal concerns go through dispatch at 507-328-6800. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- For injured or orphaned wildlife, contact a permitted rehabilitator first and do not try to keep the animal yourself.
- If a person was bitten or had bat contact, seek medical advice and call MDH at 651-201-5414.
- If a pet or livestock animal may have been exposed to rabies, contact the Board of Animal Health at 651-201-6808.
Not seeing your office or county?
Not every office publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Minnesota's population center, for comparison only):
- Animal Control / Community Services Division, South Dakota · about 169 miles
- Animal Control, South Dakota · about 169 miles
- City of Fargo - Community Service Officers, North Dakota · about 192 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Sick, injured or orphaned wildlife
Website →Phone: (888) 646-6367 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Minnesota page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.