
Animal Services
Our mission

Basic operations
In general, city-licensed (registered) animals are held for 10 days and unlicensed animals for 3 business days. After that, the animal’s disposition may be determined by the behavior and health of the animal as well as space within the shelter. If the animal is severely injured or diseased, the holding periods can be waived.
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FAQs
Contact a local pest control company for those types of issues, we do not deal with them. Then again there is this one fella who helped us one time. Maybe he will help you too! Coastal Bend Bee Removal, 361-775-0148.
Ordinances that pertain to the regulation of animals can be found in Chapter Four (4) of the city code. Just click here, we’ll take you there!
Call us! 361-758-5224 or for serious emergencies, call 911.
Yes. It is a violation of city ordinance to sell animals in a public place without a permit. Visit the building department located at 601 Avenue A and inquire about a peddler’s permit.
Most animals we adopt out will be spayed or neutered prior to adoption. If the animal is not spayed or neutered at the time of adoption that responsibility will be placed on the adopter in accordance with state law (Health and Safety Code Section 828.004). Failure to do so will result in the issuance of a citation.
Set a live trap. It's the property owner's responsibility to purchase and set animal traps. Animal Control does not pick up opossums. Once an animal has been trapped, an animal control officer will go to your location and remove it. Please, do not set traps during inclement weather, over weekends, or on Holidays. Animal control only picks up animals during business days from 7 AM until Noon. If you trap an animal outside of these times, it must be immediately released on site.
Dogs and cats that are not wearing any identification and are not microchipped remain in our facility for 3-business days. If identifiable or they're microchipped, they remain held for 10-calendar days.
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We make every effort to rehome animals from our shelter. Euthanasia is never the first option.
Please visit our online portal to see if your animal is in our custody. Otherwise, call us at 361-758-5224. In addition, you can call us to report your pet missing.