Animal Control

The Animal Control division provides humane education to the public, promoting responsible pet ownership and humane treatment of all animals through enforcement of city ordinances and state laws.

The City of Stafford Animal Control Officers are under the division of Code Compliance. 

The Animal Control Officers are responsible for:

• Enforcing municipal and state laws regarding animal control
• Providing shelter and care to impounded animals
• Ensure proper registration and vaccination of animals
• Respond to animal control calls
• Investigate animal bites
• Proper disposal of animals
• Rabies testing when needed

Animal Registration & Vaccination

All dogs and cats five months of age or older are required to be licensed and registered annually. Registrations expire on December 31st.

Dogs and cats, four months of age or older, must be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian. Proof of current rabies vaccination is required before an animal can be licensed and registered.

License and vaccination tags are required to be affixed to a collar and worn by all registered animals. The vaccination tag should be clearly marked with the vaccine providers information, along with the animals personal ID tag. To view the City of Stafford's Annual Pet Registration form, click here. The form may be filled out and brought to the City of Stafford's Permit Department at 2610 S. Main St. to register your animal.

Animal Control Ordinances

The City of Stafford has approved several municipal ordinances related to animal safety. Any violation of the Animal Control Ordinances may result in citations and fines. View City's Code of Ordinances on animals.

• Animals at Large: Any animal found unaccompanied at large will be sheltered at the Houston Humane Society. The owner will have five days to retrieve their pet and pay shelter fees. After five days, custody of the animal transfers from the City of Stafford to the Houston Humane Society. 
• Dog Bites and Rabies Quarantine: Any dog that bites a person or another animal will be quarantined for a period of 10 days at the Houston Humane Society.
• Dangerous Dogs: Must be kept in an enclosed area or under a leash at all times. Dangerous dogs include any dog that has bitten, scratched, or attacked any person or animal that was not provoked.

Adopt-a-Pet

Things to Consider Before Adoption

 Before adopting a pet, we suggest you consider the following:

• Consider your budget. Adopting a pet requires you to consider the amount of time and funding it takes to provide food, shelter, and medical care for the animal.
• Consider your lifestyle. Consider all issues related to the effect the animal may or may not have and how you may need to adjust.
  • Are you away from the house for a considerable amount of time?
  • Do you travel a lot?
  • Will you have the time to train, socialize and offer companionship to a new animal?
• Consult the whole family. Everyone who has to live with the animal should agree to adopt the animal. Everyone should consider his or her involvement in the care of the animal. If you have small children, consider who will care for the animal once the kids lose interest.
• Don't make a spur-of-the-moment decision to adopt. Seeing a cute, furry animal "in the store window," or your children hounding you, are not good reasons to adopt.
• Evaluate your living accommodations. Do you rent or lease? If so, there may be a pet deposit or pets may not be allowed. Consult your leasing company or landlord before adopting.

If you wish to adopt a pet, call Houston Humane Society's Adoptions Department at 713-341-3301. Here is a copy of the Houston Humane Society's Adoption Form (PDF), should you decide to bring home a new friend.