Animal Protection
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SpayStreet
SpayStreet is an "Outreach Sterilization Program" to reduce the amount of unwanted animals entering TownLake Animal Shelter. Realistically, less animals entering a shelter equates to less animals having to be adopted, rescued or euthanized. This prevention program educates pet owners about responsible care, utilizing residents of low-income areas with high levels of strays/pet overpopulation. In 2009, using the SpayStreet model, 710 sterilizations/vaccinations were completed. The desired outcome is to sterilize animals that would not be altered without intervention. Surgeries and vaccinations are provided by Emancipet (www.emancipet.org).
To qualify for SpayStreet, animal owners must live in Travis County and be unable to pay for pet sterilization services. The philosophy is that “less is more.” While the City may fund this essential component of pet ownership, the owner is encouraged not to get animals they can’t afford. The Outreach person goes door-to-door and transports target dogs/cats to Emancipet. The pet receives free surgery/rabies shot/microchip. The owner retrieves their pets from Emancipet that night. (Owners are encouraged to purchase other vaccinations and heartworm prevention, since heartworms in dogs are prevalent and infestations are fatal.)
Recently, in Montopolis, a woman approached the SpayStreet van and mentioned she had a small pregnant dog, but couldn’t afford to feed the upcoming puppies. The little dog was transported to Emancipet, where the veterinarian determined that a large male dog had bred with her and 3 puppies had died in the womb. Without surgery, the Momma dog would have died. The dog is now fixed, vaccinated and happily recovering with her owner!
FACT: In Texas, it costs taxpayers an average of $176 to impound/house/euthanize a homeless pet in the shelter system. About $60 will sterilize that same pet and prevent an average of 5-8 pups/kittens, twice yearly, from that point forward.
To participate in this program, please call 512.587.7729 or write laura.jackson@ci.austin.tx.us. To fix your pet at Emancipet, please consult their website or call 512.587.7729.
Animal Bites
All animal bites to humans MUST be reported to Animal Protection!! The rabies virus is a SERIOUS threat to animals and humans in our area. Animal owners of dogs involved in bite cases will have to provide a current rabies vaccination certificate to Animal Protection. If an animal is not currently vaccinated against rabies, or if rabies vaccination status is unknown, the animal will have to be placed under quarantine for a set period of time and observed by a veterinarian for signs of rabies.
If a person has been attacked, bitten, or scratched by a domestic or wild animal and they need emergency care, call 911 IMMEDIATELY.
If a person has been attacked, bitten or scratched by a domestic or wild animal but emergency care is not required, call 311 to report the incident.
If a person has been attacked, bitten or scratched by a domestic or wild animal but emergency care is not required, but has already sought medical attention you may download a bite report and fax it to our offices 972-6052. Click here to download a report of animal bite.
Bite animals that are currently rabies vaccinated AND were restrained at the time the bite occurred qualify for a home observation. (link to Home Observations guideline sheet)
If a person has been attacked, bitten or scratched by a pet or wild animal but emergency care is NOT required, call 311 to report the incident.
Dangerous and Vicious Dogs
- City of Austin List of Dangerous Dogs
- Travis County List of Dangerous Dogs
- Dangerous Dog Information
- Vicious Dog Information
Citizens wishing to pursue declaring a dog either vicious or dangerous will be required to submit an affidavit (link to affidavit form) ** DO NOT SIGN THE AFFIDAVIT UNLESS YOU ARE IN THE PRESENCE OF A NOTARY**
All registered dangerous dogs in the City of Austin and Travis County should never be running at large. Owners are court ordered to restrain their dog(s) at all times in an enclosure or by someone who can restrain the dogs. Dogs should be wearing a large tag stating they are dangerous dogs and have attacked in the past. Owners must also buy $100,000 of liability insurance should their dog(s)attack again. If these animals attack again the court could order them put to sleep.
Report any loose dog violations to 311 or the Austin Police Department if these animals threaten someone. -Lt. Michael Parsons, Supervisor
Injured Animals
If the injured animal is a stray:
Call 311 to make a report to Animal Protection.
Injured animals impounded by Animal Protection are cared for by the compassionate veterinary staff at the Town Lake Animal Center.
If the injured animal has an owner:
Animal owners are responsible for taking the animal to a veterinarian. Town Lake Animal Center cannot provide veterinary care for owned animals.
If it is after hours, take your injured pet to an Emergency Clinic.
The North Emergency Clinic
12034 Research Boulevard
(331-6121)
South Emergency Clinic
4434 Frontier Trail
(899-0955).
***Be aware that failure to provide veterinary care to your own pet can be considered Animal Cruelty***
Injured deer should be reported to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Game Warden at 389-4848.
Wildlife Rescue at 472-WILD can help injured wild animals as well.
Animal Ordinances
Animal protection officers enforce Animal ordinances (laws) of the city of Austin, Travis County and the state of Texas.
**Call 311 to report animal problems to Animal Protection** Please keep in mind animal protection officers must cover all of Travis county and must battle the same traffic we all face. They will respond to your request as quickly as possible, based on the number of requests already received. Please be aware that not all animal problems can be solved visit by an officer.
Existing ordinances you should be aware of
- Proper Care of Animals (Austin City Code 3-2-5)
- Safety of Animals in Motor Vehicles (Austin City Code 3-2-6)
- Safety of Animals in Enclosed Spaces (Austin City Code 3-2-6)
- Enforcement and Penalties (Austin City code 3-7)
- Rabies Prevention (Austin City Code 3-3)
- General Provisions (Austin City Code 3-1)
- Info on Livestock
Tethering of dogs
In an effort to assist citizens whose dog’s primary means of restraint is a tether Animal Protection has started a fencing assistance program. Animal protection will accept fencing donations and offer them to citizens in need of correction tethering violations.
If you are interested in applying for assistance or have a donation you would like to make to the program please download a form, fill it out and fax it to 972-6052. (link to fence donation form and fence assistance program form)
**Note to qualify for fencing assistance dogs must be currently vaccinated and spayed/neutered**
Dog house Program
Animal protection accepts dog house donations from the public and gives the to citizens in need. All dog house donations can be dropped off a the Town Lake Animal Center at 1156 W Cesar Chavez. If you would like to receive a dog house please download a form fill it out and fax it to 972-6053. (Link to dog house application form)
** Dog house donations do not come in on a consistent basis; citizens will be put on a waiting list until a suitable dog house becomes available. Dog houses are given out by appointment only and citizens are responsible for picking up the houses**
Cruelty Investigation
Animal cruelty is a serious crime and should be reported to law enforcement. Animal cruelty can be prosecuted and requires a full police investigation. For more information on Texas animal cruelty laws, visit http://www.animallaw.info/topics/spustexascruelty.htm.
If you live in Austin and witness an act of animal cruelty or suspect that an animal has been a victim of cruel or inhumane treatment, Call 3-1-1 to file a report with the Austin Police Department or be transferred to Travis County Sherriff if it is occurring in Travis County.
Call 9-1-1 in case of an animal cruelty emergency.
Stray Pets
Dogs and livestock in the City of Austin and Travis County are required by law to be safely restrained on the owners’ property at all times, except when a dog is in a designated leash-free area. Cats are not required to be confined or leashed, so our officers do not pick up roaming cats.
If a pet or livestock is wandering, unsupervised and unleashed, in your area, please call 3-1-1 to make a report. If possible, but without putting yourself at risk, please try to confine a stray animal in a fenced yard or other enclosure to keep the animal safe while an officer makes his/her way to the area.
Wildlife
Skunks, raccoons, bats, etc.
Wild animals should be left alone. Please do not trap healthy wildlife. If you are concerned about wildlife that are on or near your property, be sure all garbage containers are securely sealed, do not feed pets outdoors, remove bird and squirrel feeders, and seal up any holes that might allow a wild animal to access your garage, shed, attic, or under your porch for shelter. You can also trim back or remove shrubs and trees from your fence lines and any that touch your home or other structures.
Animal Protection Officers will NOT pick up healthy wild animals that have been trapped in private traps. If you bring a trapped, healthy wild animal to the shelter, it will not be relocated, but, in accordance with State Law, simply returned to the area where it was trapped. Relocating a healthy wild animal only ensures that it will be an unhealthy wild animal wherever it is released, because it will not be familiar with sources of food, water or shelter.
For more information on preventing problems with wildlife, call Animal Damage Control at 854-9613.
Coyotes
For problems with coyotes, call Animal Damage Control at 854-9613.Following is a list of previous reports in reverse chronological order. Many of the reports are actually cumulative and contain more information than just quarterly totals.
- COYOTE QUARTERLY SUMMARY REPORT OCT - DEC 2009
- Coyote Quarterly Summary Report July - September 2009
- Coyote Progress Report April - June 2006
- Coyote Progress Report -January 2005 - March 2006 - Annual Report
- May 2005 - September 2005 - PDF and map showing sightings - PDF for the same period of time
- Coyote Management Report - January 20005 - March 2005
- November 2004 - February 2005 progress report on coyote management in the 78731 and 78759 zip code areas of Travis County
Deer
For problems with deer, call the Texas Parks & Wildlife Game Warden at 389-4848.
