Animal Control
City of Waco Animal Control Staff are housed on campus at the Animal Shelter (2032 Circle Road). Animal Control Staff from our shelter partner cities visit frequently for animal drop-off and pick-up through our Sally Port (animal drive-through).
When fully staffed, 6 officers respond for the entire City of Waco during business hours and after-hours on an on-call rotation for emergency services. Together, their main goals are promoting animal welfare, upholding the city's ordinances and educating pet owners- including spay/neuter and microchipping. Officers are able to issue written warnings/citations for any violations they observe.
- Officers could be in the field, when calling, please leave a detailed voicemail as needed.
- Lost a pet or found an animal? Check our Lost Waco Pets Map first.
Why would you call Animal Control?
- For a microchip scan of a stray animal.
- Animal bites that break the skin.
- Loose, aggressive, or vicious animals.
- Animals in vehicles unattended.
- Animal cruelty/neglect cases.
Animal without adequate shelter/water.
- Wildlife/animals in traps.
- For common questions regarding City of Waco animal ordinances.
- For information about free spay/neuter surgeries for pets of Waco residents.
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Report a complaint or bite: complaint/witness statement.
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To report stray animals. (Call response times are based on public safety.)
Animal Bites & Scratches Reporting
- Animal bites are regulated by the State of Texas.
- Any person who is bitten or scratched by an animal shall report that fact to an Animal Control Officer within 24 hours at (254) 750-1765 (business hours). If it is after hours or an emergency, please call (254) 750-7500.
- If the person bitten or scratched is a minor under the age of 17, the parent or guardian of such minor, if he has knowledge of the incident, shall report it within 24 hours.
- A person who owns, keeps, harbors or allows an animal to remain on premises under his control and who has knowledge of a bite shall report the incident within 24 hours.
- The animal committing the act shall be turned in to the Animal Control Officer for quarantine.
- When the local rabies control authority goes to the location where the animal that bit or scratched any person is being kept, the officer may take immediate custody of the animal.
- Where suitable arrangements are made, the local rabies control authority may permit the animal to be transferred to another location for the remainder of the quarantine period.
- This duty to submit the animal to quarantine shall apply to any person who owns, keeps, harbors, has possession of, or allows an animal to remain on premises under his control.
- If convicted of violating this section, a minimum fine of $100 shall be imposed by the municipal court.