 | Adoption Saves Lives! Adopt a Shelter Pet
EFFECTIVE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2008
Shelter Hours: Monday - CLOSED Tuesday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday - CLOSED
To view our adoptable pets, go to www.petfinder.org
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Animal Services is responsible for the capture and housing of animals found at large or abandoned; enforcing city ordinances and State laws that pertain to the ownership, vaccination, housing and care of animals within the city; and maintaining and promoting an adoption/rescue program. Animals are held at the shelter for 72 hours after impoundment. Any animal that is not redeemed by an owner, will become available for adoption and may be transferred to an approved humane organization or animal rescue group. Animals that are not adopted are euthanized.
Animal Shelter Weekly Updates
Check in here to see what's going on at the shelter.
November 5, 2008 Weekly Update
Donations:
The Animal Shelter is always in need of donations of animal food, cat litter, pet carriers, collars and leads. If you wish to donate any items to the shelter you may bring them by during the shelter hours or drop them off at the Community Development Building at 700 E. Main Street (across the parking lot from the Shelter Building ) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Filing a complaint:
Animal Control complaints may be filed using any of the following: - Internet Access : www.city-crm.com/lancaster Use the web base citizen relationship management portal. Follow instructions on entering a complaint and directing the complaint to Neighborhood Services Division. By entering your e-mail address the system will automatically update you on the progress of this complaint.
- In person: Our office is located in the Community Development Building at 700 E Main Street, east of Dallas Ave and the Town Square . Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Telephone: Complaints may be received by phone at (972) 218-1200.
- Fax : Complaints may be faxed to (972) 227-7220 at anytime.
When filing a complaint, please provide the exact location of the problem and a description of the problem. Complainants do not have to identify themselves; although if they would like an inspector to contact them regarding the status of an investigation, their name and daytime telephone number are necessary. Lost or found Animals :
To report a lost or found animal contact the Animal Control Division at (972) 218-1200. When reporting a lost or found animal, please provide your name, address, daytime phone number, description of the animal, and any information on the animal's tag. Animal owners are liable for their pet's action. You can prevent your animal from causing injury to someone else only if it is confined to your property, or leashed and controlled as required by law. The animal's action must be restricted and regulated when not on the owner's property. Failure to comply with animal control laws could result in a court citation, and impoundment of your animal. Animals running at large:
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog or other animal other than a cat, to fail to keep such dog or animal from running at large. This includes livestock such as cows, horses or goats. Running at large shall mean not completely confined by a building, wall or fence of sufficient strength or construction to restrain the animal , except when such animal is either on a leash or held in the hands of the owner or keeper, or under direct supervision of the owner within the limits of the owner's private property. An animal within an automobile or other vehicle shall not be deemed running at large. Any animal running at large is subject to being impounded by animal control officers. Trapping of Animals:
Animal Control has a limited amount of traps available to the residents. The traps may only be set on private property. If you need a trap you must call the Animal Control Division at (972) 218-1200 to have your name placed on a list for a trap. This list is first come, first served basis. Traps may not be set on weekends. Residents are responsible for damaged or lost traps. Extermination of bee hives:
You will need to contact a professional exterminator for removal of any bee hives. Impoundment:
Animals that are running at large are picked up by animal control officers and held at the animal shelter for 72 hours. In order to redeem your animal you must provide a copy of the current Rabies Vaccination Certificate, issued by a licensed veterinarian, along with the proper fee for impoundment. If you do not have a current Rabies Vaccination Certificate, a prepaid rabies vaccination invoice from a local veterinarian may be brought in and the animal must be taken for vaccination when released from shelter. A citation may be issued to the owner of the animal for animal running at large. Fees for Impoundment: 1st Offense $45.00 + $10/daily boarding 2nd Offense $55.00 + $10/daily boarding 3rd Offense $85.00 + $10/daily boarding 4th Offense $110.00 + $10/daily boarding Each subsequent offense will increase by $50.00 Rabies Information :
Rabies is a disease caused by a virus carried by infected animals. Wild animals such as skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes and coyotes are the most common carriers of rabies. Vaccination is the best prevention method against rabies. Adults should caution children to avoid contact with wild animals. All dogs and cats over the age of 4 months are required by city code and state law to be vaccinated against rabies on an annual basis. Each animal so inoculated shall wear a tag affixed to its collar at all times showing it has been inoculated and the date thereof. Tags are an animal's ticket home! Animal Registration :
The City of Lancaster requires every dog to be licensed and registered. There is no fee for registration of your dog. Upon compliance with the requirements for the license, a pre-struck license identification tag shall be issued. The tag shall have stamped thereon the year for which it was issued and the number corresponding with the number on the dog license certificate. Each owner shall be required to provide each dog in the owner's possession or under the owner's control w ith a collar to which the city license tag and inoculation tag must be affixed, and the owner shall be required to insure that the collar and tags are constantly worn, affixed or attached to the dog. Animal Bites:
All animal bites, whether from a household pet or a wild animal, should be reported to the Animal Control Division at (972) 218-1200. The animal control officers will record all incidents of animal bites in the city. It is important to know which animal caused the bite because it must be quarantined for observation. The fee for quarantine of an animal housed at the shelter is $15.00 per day. Adopt-a-Pet/Surrender a Pet/Deceased Pet:
If you are interested in adopting a pet, please visit the shelter during its regular business hours. If you adopt from our shelter you must agree to have the animal altered within 30 days from the date of the adoption. You will also be required to bring in a pre-paid rabies vaccination invoice from a local veterinarian prior to taking the animal home. Fees for adoption: Small dogs and puppies $15.00 Large dogs $25.00 Cats $15.00 If you wish to surrender your pet you may bring it to the shelter during the regular business hours. You must certify that the animal has not bitten or scratched anyone in the last ten days. The Surrender Fee is $20.00 per animal or litter. If you have a deceased pet, call during regular business hours (972) 218-1200 and request that your pet be picked-up. The fee to pick-up a deceased pet is $30.00 . Veterinarian Services:
The City of Lancaster Animal Shelter does not provide medical attention to any animal. If your pet is sick you will need to contact a veterinarian for assistance.
Links: American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals www.aspca.org Humane Society of North Texas www.hsnt.org Petfinder www.petfinder.org Low Cost Animal Vaccinations:
There will be two yearly low cost vaccination clinics for residents of Lancaster to bring there dogs and cats to the Animal Shelter for rabies shots as well as a number of other vaccinations and educational materials. |
