Animal Services Manager:
Brian Lundberg
Department Phone:
(256) 341-4790
Department Fax:
(256) 341-4794
Morgan County Animal Control Phone:
(256) 773-2934
Lawrence County Animal Control Phone:
(256) 443-5154
Decatur Police Department Phone:
(256) 341-4600
Sanitation Department Phone:
(256) 341-4740
Office Address:
300A Beltline Road SW
Decatur, AL 35601
Office Hours:
11:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.
Monday – Friday
10:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.
Saturday
Decatur Animal Services is a municipal animal shelter operated by the City of Decatur. In addition to enforcement of local animal ordinances and cruelty investigations, programs include adoptions, education, volunteerism, rescue, transport and Special Events. Our mission is to improve the bond between humans and animals, to provide excellent service to the community and to promote humane treatment of animals and respect for life.
Decatur Animal Services receives domestic pets, such as dogs and cats, from residents of Decatur. It is helpful for all information and medical records to accompany owner-surrendered pets to assist in their adoption.
For assistance with animal issues outside the City of Decatur, please contact Morgan County Animal Control at (256) 773-2934 or Lawrence County Animal Control at (256) 443-5154.
No person may leave an animal on the property of Decatur Animal Services after regular hours of operation. Any person doing so is guilty of abandonment, which is punishable by law under Section 13A-11-241 of the State Criminal Code.
Reference: Section 5-3, Code of Decatur
Decatur Animal Services is on call 24 hours a day in the event of an animal bite to a person; a reported suspicion of a vicious, rabid animal; or a stray injured animal. Any such cases that occur after regular business hours are to be called into the Decatur Police Department at (256) 341-4600. If an animal is lying dead in the street or on City property, the Sanitation Department should be contacted during their regular business hours at (256) 341-4740. Animals running loose are not considered an emergency; they can be reported to the shelter during the next business day.
To adopt an animal from the shelter, a City-approved adoption application must be completed and signed. Failure to agree to and comply with the terms of the adoption agreement shall be grounds for disqualification to adopt an animal. Animal Services has the right to select the best possible placement for any animal and to deny a request to adopt an animal if not convinced the adopter can provide a suitable home or care for the animal.
Any adopted animal may be returned to the shelter if deemed by the adopter unsuitable within 10 business days, for exchange. Additionally, any adopted animal may be returned to the shelter within 10 business days for exchange due to illness or disease when accompanied by receipt of purchase and a veterinary diagnosis.
When adopting an animal from Decatur Animal Services, each adopter must submit a $40.00 nonrefundable deposit along with their application to cover veterinary charges. Upon the completion of the animal’s sterilization surgery, the new owner will pay the remainder of the adoption fee when the pet is picked up. All costs are listed below.
Note: Adoption fees are waived for current City of Decatur employees.
Decatur Animal Services offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for anyone 16 years of age or older, ranging from cleaning cat cages, dog walking, off-site events, bathing, grooming, in-home fostering, donation drives, cat cuddling and many others. If you are interested, please check our volunteer bulletin board in the lobby.
1 unaltered female dog + 6 years = 67,000 offspring
1 unaltered female cat + 7 years = 420,000 offspring
Please don’t add to the overpopulation; be a responsible pet owner and have your pet spayed or neutered.