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Animal Services

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1. How do I get a dead animal in the street picked up?

Please call Animal Services at 972-205-3570, option 1 to report a dead animal in the street.

2. How do I get a trap from Animal Services?

Traps are available to trap nuisance cats and various wild animals. The traps can be picked up at 1902 State Highway 66. A fully refundable deposit of $40 (cash or check only) for either small or large traps is required. When the trap is returned the deposit will be given back. Call 972-205-3570, option 2 to ensure trap availability as the number of traps are limited.

Trap guidelines include the following:

• Check the trap on a daily basis. Leaving an animal in a trap for an extended period without notifying Animal Services constitutes Animal Cruelty under the laws of the State of Texas, and is punishable by fines and/or imprisonment.
• Do not set the trap on the day of a holiday.
• Do not set traps when inclement weather (temperatures below 32 degrees, rainy, etc.) may occur.
• When an animal is caught in a live trap call us at 972-205-3570, option 1. Animal Services will remove animals from humane traps Sunday through Monday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

3. I lost my pet. Is it at the City of Garland Shelter?

Animal Services will hold untagged animals 72 hours. It is important that you come to the shelter to look for your pet. Calls for lost pets are not returned due to the high volume of these types of calls. You can log on to Petharbor to view pictures of animals in our shelter.

4. Is there a limit of pets a citizen can own?

There is no specific limitation on how many pets a resident may have as long as all pets are properly cared for in accordance with City Ordinance Chapter 22.

5. What are your fees?

Impoundment Fees

Fees for sterilized animals include:

• Daily Fee: $5
• Impoundment: $25
• Microchip: $25
• Rabies Vaccination: $20

Fees for unsterilized animals include:

• Daily Fee: $5
• Impoundment: $125
• Microchip: $25
• Rabies Vaccination: $20

Please note that fees are subject to change due to the number of times your pet has been impounded. Payment is accepted in Cash, Credit Card, Debit and Checks.

Adoption Fees

• Dogs, cats, puppies and kittens that have been previously spayed/neutered: $35
• Dogs, cats, puppies and kittens that have not been spayed/neutered: $80
• Microchip: $25

Price includes sterilization by our city veterinarian and rabies vaccination.

Quarantine Fees

• Daily Handling Fee: $5
• Daily Rabies Observation Fee: $15
• Home Quarantine: $100
• Microchip: $25
• Rabies Shipment: $150
• Rabies Vaccine: $20

6. Where is Animal Shelter located and what are their hours?

The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday and closed on Wednesdays. Officers respond to service calls 7 days a week from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. and for emergencies only from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The phone number is 972-205-3570. The shelter is located at 1902 State Highway 66, Garland, TX 75040.

7. How do I report a coyote sighting?

Reports of coyote sighting in Garland are common. The information provided is intended to educate and assist in identifying and reporting problems with coyotes and other wildlife. Coyotes generally live in packs, but hunt individually. The coyote diet consists mainly of small mammals including rabbits, mice, squirrels, and insects. Although infrequent, coyotes have been known to prey on domesticated animals in suburban areas, such as Garland. Human injury from coyote attacks is extremely rare.

A random sighting of a coyote is not unusual and Animal Services need not be notified unless the animal creates a nuisance. Coyotes that have entered into neighborhoods (alleys and yards), or that have threatened or attacked domestic animals are considered a problem and Animal Services will respond. The Garland Animal Services Division has a trapping program intended to remove problem coyotes. Citizens wishing to report a problem coyote should contact Garland Animal Services at 972-205-3570. An Animal Services Officer will respond and determine what measures are necessary to remove the problem animal.

Since coyotes are considered a “high risk species” for possibly carrying rabies, citizens should take care to avoid human (or pet) contact with the species. Coyotes exhibiting unusual behavior such as aggressiveness towards humans should be reported immediately by calling 911. If you have any questions concerning coyotes or other problem wildlife, please contact Garland Animal Services at 972-205-3570, option 4 for assistance. View more information on coyotes.

8. What are the fence requirements for Pit Bull dogs?

Fence must meet the following requirements:

• The fence must be six feet tall, measured from the ground.
• The fence must be constructed of wooden planks at least 0.5 inch thick or 11 gage chain link fencing.
• There may be no gaps or openings larger than 2 inches.
• Fencing must be firmly attached to brace posts buried no less than 18 inches deep.
• All gates must have a locking mechanism that keeps the gates securely closed.

For Complete Directive Language and more information on fencing requirements, see the following:

• Fencing Requirement - Pit Bull Dogs (PDF)
• Fencing Requirement - Pit Bull Dogs - Spanish Version (PDF)
• View Living in Garland - Segment About Fencing Requirements

9. How do I surrender my pet?

To make an appointment to surrender your pet, please call 972-205-3570, option 2. 

You must be a City of Garland resident with proof of residency and provide a valid state ID or driver's license. There is also a $25 surrender fee due the day of the appointment. 

We encourage owners to attempt rehoming their pet with someone they know, or through one of the organizations listed below. 
Friends of Rescue Animals
Dallas Pets Alive! 
Home to Home
Rehome
Get Your Pet

10. What should I do if I find a stray dog?

Before risking your safety, call our dispatch at 972-205-2570, option 1 to have an officer come out.  They will do everything they can to help that pet get back to its owner. 

11. How can I get low cost vaccines or spay/neuter services?

The Animal shelter does not offer veterinarian or sterilization services to the public. Animals adopted from us are scheduled for sterilization at our shelter if that was not able to be done prior to adoption. Please view the options below for low cost vaccine clinics and spay/neuter resources.

Vaccination Clinics are hosted with Operation Kindness at our shelter the first Sunday of each month. 

LOCAL SPAY & NEUTER RESOURCES

• Spay Neuter Network
• TCAP
• SPCA of Texas

12. How do I become a volunteer?

Garland Animal Services currently partners with Friends of Rescue Animals for managing the volunteer program. 

For more information about volunteering or to sign up to be a volunteer please visit https://www.frastx.org/volunteer/.

13. What donated items does the shelter need?

WE ARE ALWAYS IN NEED OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

• Towels & blankets (used are just fine!)
• Dog treats (small treats are perfect for training)
• Dog toys (particularly Kongs, Nylabones, and similar "tough" items)
• Cat toys
• Animal sweaters (often useful for the small, skinny, or elderly dogs that have a harder time maintaining body heat)
• Plastic pet carriers
• Canned dog or cat food
• Wire or plastic dog crates
• Sensitive laundry detergent
• Leashes, collars, and harnesses
• Unscented baby wipes
• KMR powdered kitten formula
• Heating pads (preferably without the automatic “off” feature)
• Peanut butter (smooth, not crunchy and NO XYLITOL)
• Newspaper to line our cat kennels
• Stuffed animals for our small orphaned kittens to snuggle up with
• Dog and cat beds (lightly used or new)
• Exotic animal supplies - food, heat lamps, bulbs, bowls, habitat accessories, etc.

14. What are the rules regarding rabies vaccinations?

All dogs and cats must be vaccinated for rabies between the ages of 12 weeks and 16 weeks. All dogs and cats shall either:

• Receive a rabies vaccine annually
• Receive an initial rabies vaccine, receive a booster rabies vaccine within the twelve-month period following the initial vaccination, and be revaccinated at least once every three years thereafter with a vaccine approved as a three-year vaccine

All vaccines administered under this section shall be licensed for use in that species by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by a duly authorized veterinarian. A paper certificate must be issued upon each vaccination stating the following:

• Address of the owner
• Administering veterinarian’s signature and license number
• Date of the vaccination
• Date the vaccination expires
• Description of the dog or cat
• Kind of vaccine used
• Name of the owner

Animal owners shall provide proof of current rabies vaccination for any animal required to be vaccinated under this article upon request by the Supervisor of Animal Services or their designee.

15. What should I do if I am bitten by an animal?

Bite victims should call Garland Animal Services immediately at 972-205-3570, option 1 and should provide a description of the animal and the location at which the bite occurred.

16. Who can I contact if I have more questions about rabies?

If you have any additional questions regarding rabies control, please call Animal Services at 972-205-3570. You can also view more information about rabies prevention (PDF).

17. Who can get rabies?

Any mammal can get rabies, including:

• Cats
• Cows
• Dogs
• Horses
• Humans

• High Risk: Skunks, Bats, Foxes, Coyotes, and Raccoons
• Low Risk: Rodents, Moles, Shrews, Opossums, Rabbits, and Armadillos

18. What should I do if I am exposed to rabies?

If you are bitten or scratched by a suspect rabid animal, or saliva from the animal enters an open wound, or becomes in contact with your nose, mouth, or eyes, wash the wound or contact area with soap and water, call your physician or the health department and get medical attention immediately.

19. How can I protect my animals and myself?

The best protection against rabies is vaccination of pets and avoidance of risk. Vaccination of dogs and cats is required by law. Do not feed or attract wild life to your yard, or try to capture wildlife.

Call animal control at 972-205-3570, if you suspect that there is a rabid animal in your yard. Animal controllers are trained and equipped to deal with rabid animals. Do not allow bats to live in your house attic or chimney. Avoid picking up dead or abandoned animals, and do not capture animals that do not look or act normal.

20. What should I do if my pet gets bitten by a potentially rabid animal?

If your pet is bitten or scratched by a wild animal, call animal control immediately. Do not attempt to capture the attacking animal yourself.