Frankfurt has several 24 hour options in the Rhine-Main area and an on-call rota for nights and weekends. Start by calling your regular vet. Most practices update their voicemail and website with the current emergency partner. You can also check the emergency listings from the State Veterinary Chamber of Hesse or search for Tierarzt Notdienst Frankfurt to see nearby clinics. For life threatening problems like breathing trouble, nonstop vomiting, severe bleeding, seizures or suspected poisoning, go immediately. Call ahead so the team can prepare. Bring a carrier, your pet’s medication list, any medical records and payment method. Many taxis accept pets if you use a blanket or carrier, but confirm when you book. If you cannot drive, ask a neighbor to help.

If your pet needs urgent care at night in Frankfurt, call your regular vet first. Many practices list the on call service on their voicemail. Next, check the emergency directory of the Landestierärztekammer Hessen by postcode to find the current veterinary emergency duty. There are 24 hour small-animal clinics in the Rhine-Main area within a short drive. Always call before you leave so the team can prepare and advise on waiting times. Take the vaccination booklet, current medications, and any lab results. Expect higher fees outside normal hours under the German veterinary fee schedule. For transport, tell the taxi dispatcher you have a pet, or use a pet taxi service. Only contact the city services if an animal is creating a traffic hazard or is trapped.

In Frankfurt you must register your dog for the municipal dog tax. You can do this with the City of Frankfurt tax office in person or via the city’s online services. Register soon after moving to the city or adopting a dog. You will receive a dog tax tag that should be on the collar when outside. Microchipping and registering with a national database such as TASSO or Findefix is strongly recommended so lost pets can be returned. Leashes are required in many areas, especially pedestrian zones, nature reserves and near playgrounds. Some parks have marked off leash fields. For public transport, check RMV rules for tickets, leashes and muzzles for larger dogs. If you are unsure about liability insurance requirements, ask the Frankfurt public order office.

In Frankfurt am Main you must register your dog for the municipal dog tax within a short period after moving or adoption, typically two weeks. You can complete the form online or at a Bürgeramt, then you receive a tax tag that should be attached to the collar. Microchipping and an EU pet passport are strongly recommended and required for travel and for some breeds under state rules. Dog liability insurance is widely expected by landlords and may be required depending on breed or circumstances, so confirm with your insurer and the city regulations. Keep your dog leashed in pedestrian zones and on busy streets, and never enter playgrounds. Always carry waste bags. For exact fees, deadlines, and leash zones, check the Ordnungsamt Frankfurt information.

Ticks are active from spring into autumn in Hesse, so use reliable tick prevention and check your pet after walks, especially in the Stadtwald and along the Nidda and Main. Ask your vet about the leptospirosis vaccine, since dogs can pick up bacteria from puddles and river edges. In hot weather, avoid water that looks green and scummy because blue green algae can be toxic. The oak processionary moth hairs can irritate skin and eyes, so steer clear of taped off trees and report nests to the city. Fox tapeworm is present in the region, so do not let dogs eat rodents or fox droppings and keep up deworming. Frankfurt sometimes reports poison bait in parks. Use a basket muzzle if your dog scavenges and follow city alerts.

Frankfurt has mild winters and long tick seasons, usually from March to November. Dogs should have core vaccines and talk to your vet about leptospirosis, which is relevant near rivers and puddles, and a Lyme vaccine if your dog often visits meadows and the city forest. Regular tick prevention is important for dogs and outdoor cats. Deworming schedules should consider fox tapeworm risk in Hesse and your pet’s hunting habits. Kennel cough vaccination is often required by day care and boarding providers. Heat waves are common in summer, so plan early walks and carry water. In winter, rinse paws after walks because road salt can irritate skin. For tailored advice and current risk maps, ask your Frankfurt vet or check public health updates for Hesse.

For boarding, ask if the facility has a permit under section 11 of the German Animal Welfare Act. Reputable kennels will show this and will let you tour the runs, sleeping areas and outdoor space. Look for clean rooms, separate cat and dog areas, fresh water and supervised group time. A written emergency plan and a link to a local vet are good signs. Expect to show a vaccination record, including rabies and often kennel cough for dogs, plus proof of microchip and parasite prevention. Bring food to avoid sudden diet changes. For grooming, check gentle handling, drying methods and how they manage anxious pets. You can confirm permits or report concerns with the City of Frankfurt veterinary office. Read recent reviews and ask your vet for recommendations.

Frankfurt is very dog friendly with long paths along the Main, the green belt, Niddapark, Lohrberg, and the Stadtwald. Dogs must be leashed in busy streets, pedestrian zones, and inside many parks when signposted. Nature areas often require leashes during wildlife breeding season from spring to early summer. Forest signs explain the exact period and routes. Dogs are not allowed on playgrounds and sports fields. On RMV trains, trams, and buses, dogs are permitted when leashed, and larger dogs may need a ticket, so check the RMV rules before you travel. In hot weather carry water and avoid river algae blooms. In the Stadtwald you may encounter wild boar, so keep your dog close and practice a reliable recall.

The Frankfurt Animal Shelter operated by the local animal welfare association is a well known place to adopt, and there are reputable rescue groups across the Rhine-Main region. Visit first to meet animals and discuss their needs. Bring a valid ID and, if you rent, written permission from your landlord. Budget for an adoption fee and initial supplies. Plan a vet check soon after adoption and microchip registration with TASSO or Findefix. Dogs must be registered for the Frankfurt dog tax shortly after they come home. Many shelters ask for a home visit and may require proof of working hours and a care plan during holidays. If you are unsure about current requirements or opening times, check the shelter’s official channels or call ahead before you travel.

Start with the city animal shelter and local rescue groups. Visit during open hours to meet animals, bring ID, and if you rent, a letter that pets are allowed. Expect an interview, a home check, and an adoption fee that supports the care of the animals. For boarding, ask your vet for recommendations and visit facilities in person. A good kennel asks for proof of vaccinations like rabies and kennel cough, recent deworming, and an emergency contact. Check whether someone is on site at night and which vet they partner with. Groomers should discuss your pet’s coat, drying method, and handling for nervous animals. For sitters, arrange a trial walk and confirm liability insurance and a written agreement.