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Animal Control
Responsibilities
The Animal Control Officer provides day-to-day services intended to protect the public's life, health and welfare by the prompt, efficient and humane enforcement of the animal control ordinance. The Officer operates the animal shelter efficiently, and humanely providing clean and sanitary confinement with fresh food and water for hundreds of animals annually.
Adopt a Pet
As a nation, we claim to love cats and dogs as companions and family members. Millions of households have pets and billions of dollars are spent each year on pet supplies and food. Another statistic that runs into the millions; the number of dogs and cats given up to shelters or left to die on our streets because of irresponsible pet owners.
Please take some time to visit our Animal Shelter and see the dogs available for adoption.
A house is not a home without a pet!
Hours of Operation
Animals can be viewed, reclaimed or adopted in the following hours:
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Animal Abuse or Neglect
If you witness animal abuse or neglect, please contact your local animal shelter or animal services agencies as soon possible. You can choose to remain anonymous, if you wish.
Call 409-735-5028.
Do's & Don'ts for Living with Alligators
- Do call your Texas Parks and Wildlife Department regional office if you encounter a nuisance gator that has lost its fear of people.
- Do closely supervise children when playing in or around water.
- Do dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans at most boat ramps or fish camps.
- Do enjoy viewing and photographing wild alligators from a safe distance of at least 30 feet or more. Remember that they're an important part of Texas's natural history, as well as an integral component of many wetland ecosystems.
- Do inform others that feeding alligators creates problems for others who want to use the water for recreational purposes.
- Do use ordinary common care. Swim only during daylight hours.
- Don’t allow small children to play by themselves in or around water.
- Don’t feed or entice alligators. Alligators overcome their natural shyness and become accustomed or attracted to humans when fed. It is now a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500, to intentionally feed an alligator.
- Don’t kill, harass, molest or attempt to move alligators. State law prohibits such actions, and the potential for being bitten or injured by a provoked alligator is high.
- Don’t remove any alligators from their natural habitat or accept one as a pet. It is a violation of state law to do so. Alligators do not become tame in captivity and handling even small ones may result in bites. In particular, never go near baby alligators or pick them up. They may seem cute and harmless, but mama alligator will be nearby, and will protect her clutch for at least two years.
- Don’t swim at night or during dusk or dawn when alligators most actively feed.
- Don’t throw fish scraps into the water or leave them on shore. Although you are not intentionally feeding alligators, the end result can be the same.