Shelter Services

The Abilene Animal Shelter is a shelter for lost, homeless, and unwanted pets.

Goals

Strays are picked up by field officers and citizens, unwanted animals can be surrendered by their owners, and very often animals are dumped in areas around town and at the shelter. Our goals with these animals are to:

Provide a clean, sanitary place, out of the weather
Provide a good wholesome meal
Give the animal a chance at reuniting with their owner, a new adopter or be placed with a rescue group

Fees

View the City Fee Schedule

Adoptions

Animals at the shelter maybe for adoption if the stray reclaim time has lapsed or the animal was owner-surrendered. Check with the Shelter to see if the animal is available for adoption.

Adopting an Animal

To adopt an animal:

Provide valid government issued ID
Fill out an Adoption Profile and an Adoption Agreement
In accordance with Chapter 828 and Chapter 826 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, all animals must be spayed or neutered and vaccinated for rabies. You will be issued a citation for failing to do that service agreed upon in the Adoption Agreement.
Pay adoption fees
- Your adoption fees will provide a voucher to have your animal vaccinated with the rabies vaccine, a City of Abilene License if applicable, and a sterilization voucher. Your veterinarian may choose to charge you more that the value of the sterilization voucher and the rabies vaccination voucher; you will be responsible for the reminder of fees charged by your veterinarian.

Adoption & Rescue Partners

Abilene Animal Services welcomes your 501(c)(3) group and depends on your partnership to help us save the lives of countless homeless pets. If you would like to be added to our transfer list, send your organization's 501(c)(3) and a list of authorized transporters by emailing Abilene Animal Services.

Disclaimer: Abilene Animal Service's staff reserves the right to choose which animals are available for transfer

Animal Licenses

Application

Written applications for dog and cat licenses shall be made upon a printed application form provided by the city and shall state the name and address of the owner or keeper of said dog or cat and the name, breed, color, age and sex of the dog or cat being licensed.

Dog and cat license tags shall be issued by the animal control department and authorized veterinarians licensed in the state and practicing within the city limits or its extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Each dog or cat license issued under this division shall be restricted to the animal for which the same was issued and shall not be transferred.

Every license issued under the provisions of this division shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance thereof.

Conditions for License

The dog and cat license tags shall be issued upon payment of the license fee and the meeting of one of the following conditions:

Presentation of a metal vaccination tag issued by a licensed veterinarian showing that such vaccination was given less than three months prior to date of application for such license.
Vaccination by a licensed veterinarian with anti-rabies vaccine

Collar / Tag to Be Worn

Every person who owns, keeps or is in charge of or in control of a dog or cat within the city shall provide and place on such dog or cat a collar or harness which shall be worn by said dog or cat at all times when off the premises of said person, and shall attach to the collar or harness the metal license tag obtained pursuant to this division.

Euthanasia

Stray Pets

Surrendering Your Pet

Surrendering your pet to the shelter should be your last resort. With more than 9,000 coming through our doors each year, the shelter is at or near capacity on a daily basis. We need your help to keep animals out of the shelter and in homes.

Re-Homing

Download the Re-Homing Information (PDF) to help find other ways to find a new home for your pet without surrendering to the shelter.

Possibility of Euthanasia

Please understand that if you surrender your pet to the shelter, your pet has a chance of being immediately euthanized due to lack of space.

Appointments

If you have made efforts to rehome your pet and have been unable to find another home, you can surrender a pet, by appointment, at the Abilene Animal Shelter. Owners must make an appointment to surrender their pet.

Owner surrender appointments are limited to Monday through Friday, from 11 am to 2 pm. To schedule an appointment, call 325-698-0085. No walk-ins will be accepted.

When you come to the Shelter, bring the Owner Surrender Form (PDF) and any available vet/vaccination records. Please fill out a separate form for each pet.