Animal Services Unit
Saving animals takes our entire communityMeet the City of Galveston’s Animal Services Unit
The Animal Services Unit supervises animal control activities within the city. Animal Services Officers respond to all animal bite cases, animal welfare complaints, deceased animals, animals running at large, injured animals both wild and domestic. The Animal Services Unit also provide the following services:
-
Animal establishment inspections
-
Dog kennel inspections
-
Respond to animal control related calls
-
Enforcement for violations of City of Galveston Municipal Code relating to animals.
-
Much Much More…
The City of Galveston’s Animal Services Unit is under the direction of the Galveston Police Department.
Galveston City Marshal's Animal Services Unit
After Hours Calls
Animal services officers can only be called out after hours or on weekends for the following reasons:
- Animal bites
- Dead animal in right of way (blocking traffic)
- Police assistance
- Vicious dog (not dogs running loose)
Jamaica Beach
The City of Galveston will pick up animals in Jamaica Beach if requested through the Jamaica Beach Police Department.
You can reach them by calling 409-737-1800.
A member of the general public can file charges on an individual for violation of City Code.
Contacting the Animal Services Unit
Dispatch Phone: 409-765-3702
Hours
8 AM – 5 PM, Daily
Officers will respond to reports of injured animals after hours.
Josh Henderson
Animal Services Unit Supervisor
Phone: 409-539-9078
The City of Galveston Codes Regarding Animals
Animal guidelines are outlined by the City of Galveston municipal code. These codes are enforced by the city of Galveston Police Department’s Animal Services Unit.
Do you have questions related to Galveston laws governing animals? See these specific sections of the City Code Below available on Galveston’s MuniCode Site.
- ARTICLE I. – IN GENERAL
- Sec. 7-1. – Definitions.
- Sec. 7-2. – Running at large prohibited.
- Sec. 7-3. – Grazing animals.
- Sec. 7-4. – Reports of contagious diseases.
- Sec. 7-5. – Harboring of dogs and cats.
- Sec. 7-6. – Vaccination of dogs and cats—Required.
- Sec. 7-7. – Vaccination—Certificate.
- Sec. 7-8. – Vaccination—Tag.
- Sec. 7-9. – License for dogs and cats—Required.
- Sec. 7-10. – License—Issuance and tag.
- Sec. 7-11. – Same—Display of tag.
- Sec. 7-12. – Same—Revocation.
- Sec. 7-13. – Same—Records.
- Sec. 7-14. – Impoundment—Mandatory spay/neuter of impounded animals.
- Sec. 7-15. – Dangerous dogs.
- Sec. 7-15.1. – Nuisance animal—Noise.
- Sec. 7-16. – Refusal to allow impoundment; unauthorized release of animals.
- Sec. 7-17. – Animal excrement laws.
- Sec. 7-18. – Humane treatment of animals.
- Sec. 7-18.1. – Prohibition against the chaining or tethering of dogs and mandating that dog enclosures must provide one hundred fifty (150) square feet of space.
- Sec. 7-18.2. – Prohibition of sale of animals in a public place.
- Sec. 7-19. – Animal control officers and police officers; authority.
- Sec. 7-20. – Reports of rabies.
- Sec. 7-21. – Quarantine of animals.
- Sec. 7-22. – Release or disposition of quarantined animal.
- Sec. 7-23. – Quarantine; criminal penalty.
- Sec. 7-24. – Use and sale of rabies vaccine.
- Sec. 7-25. – Area rabies quarantine.
- Sec. 7-26. – Limitation on liability.
- Sec. 7-27. – Exemption from quarantine requirement for police service animals.
- Sec. 7-28. – Minimum standards for quarantine and impoundment facilities.
- ARTICLE II. – KENNELS, CATTERIES AND OTHER ANIMAL ESTABLISHMENTS
- ARTICLE III. – BIRDS AND FOWL
- ARTICLE IV. – EXOTIC ANIMALS
- ARTICLE V. – FEES
- ARTICLE VI. – ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
- ARTICLE VII. – FERAL CATS