Animal Services in Chambers County
Add’l Research by Aubrie Kavanaugh
Updated Sept. 28, 2026
We welcome your updates, additions, corrections, or comments: please email us. Information can be credited to you or kept anonymous, as you prefer.
Animal Control in Chambers Co.
Alabama requires local governments to pick up and impound loose dogs. Animal Control Officers (ACOs) also respond to reports related to dogs and cats.
Although ACOs may investigate cruelty or address municipal code violations, most Alabama ACOs are civilians who do not have law enforcement authority. The sheriff’s office and local PDs are responsible for the enforcement of cruelty laws.
Chambers Co. Does Not Provide Animal Control
Chambers Co. employs no animal control officer and provides no pickup of loose dogs. As such, Chambers Co. is failing to fulfill the statutory mandate of Alabama Code § 3-7A-7 that “Each county within the state shall provide a suitable county pound and impounding officer.” Residents who would like to ask the county to fulfill their mandate may see this guidance.
Animal concerns in the unincorporated area of the county and cities under 5,000 population are the responsibility of Chambers Co. Commission, while enforcement of animal law is the responsibility of Chambers County Sheriff’s Office:
Chambers County Sheriff’s Office334-864-4333 or 334-576-0914
In the unincorporated area and the towns of Cusseta, Five Points, and Waverly:
- Pickup of stray animals is not available. We still recommend that residents report aggressive dogs.
- Found animals can be reported through Chattahoochee Humane Society’s Found a Stray form to help reunite lost animals with their families.
- If you have information about a crime, such as neglect, abuse, hoarding, or allowing dogs to run at large, contact Chambers County Sheriff’s Office.
Chambers Co. Animal Services At-a-Glance
Report animal concerns according to the location, as noted below. For more information about animal control and enforcement of animal laws, or if your concern is not being addressed, see this guidance.
| Pop. | Jurisdiction | Pound | ACO | RAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34,253 | Chambers Co. | County | None | § 3-1-5 |
| See Animal Control regarding animal concerns in unincorporated Chambers Co. — including the communities of Abanda, Fredonia, Huguley, Milltown, Oak Bowery, Oakland, Penton, Red Level, Standing Rock, Stroud, Welch, White Plains. | ||||
| 154 | Cusseta | County | None | § 3-1-5 |
| See Animal Control regarding animal concerns in Cusseta. | ||||
| 114 | Five Points | County | None | § 3-1-5 |
| See Animal Control regarding animal concerns in Five Points. | ||||
| 3,003 | LaFayette | County | PD | § 3-1-5 |
| Report animal concerns in LaFayette to Lafayette Animal Control at the PD at 334-864-2211. | ||||
| 6,970 | Lanett | County | City | § 6-7 |
| Report animal concerns in Lanett to Lanett ACO Lisa Cofield at 334-576-0914 or 334-644-5236. | ||||
| 10,529 | Valley | County | PD | § 10-37 |
| Report animal concerns in Valley to ACO Phalisha Hadaway at 334-756-5200. Note that Valley requires pet licensing. | ||||
| 159 | Waverly | County | None | § 3-1-5 |
| See Animal Control regarding animal concerns in the Chambers Co. portion of Waverly. | ||||
[County population figure includes municipalities. Waverly is partly in Lee Co. The municipalities listed as § 3-1-5 (RAL column) may also require confinement by ordinance.]
Dog Confinement is Required in All of Chambers Co.
The applicable law is indicated in the right column of the table above. See Dog Confinement Laws for details.
- Tags required everywhere. All dogs in Alabama must wear a current rabies tag, per § 3-7A.
- Dog confinement is required when § 3-1-5 and/or a municipal ordinance prohibits running-at-large (RAL).
How to get help:
- Report a loose dog or a RAL violation by following the reporting instructions provided in the table above.
- If you choose to assist a lost, stray, or abandoned pet, be aware of your rights and responsibilities.
- If your pet is lost, see these tips.
- Ask your Commission or Council to require dog confinement.
Chambers Co. Commission adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5 in July 2025 via Resolution. The relevant meeting minutes are on pages 3, 7, and 8 of the PDF.
Impoundment Facilities & Shelters
If your pet is lost, remember to check not only the local shelter or impoundment facility, but also those in neighboring cities and counties.
The nonprofit Chattahoochee Humane Society (CHS) is the impoundment facility for all of the county, via a contract with the Chambers Co. Commission. Dale Frazier has stepped up to lead the organization following the April 2026 resignation of former director Phalisha Hadaway (who is now ACO for the City of Valley).
Chattahoochee Humane Society3265 Fairfax Bypass, Valley, AL
334-756-9377
Website, Facebook
Chattahoochee Humane Society committed to no kill principles in 2023, according to the shelter website. The facility has 47 kennels for adult dogs, dedicated spaces for cats and for puppies, and a medical intake area. CHS reported 722 intakes in 2025.
- Found Animals are posted on Facebook and at CHS Found Animals.
- Owner Surrenders are considered, with a $175 minimum fee.
In a brief conversation on June 12, 2026, interim director Dale Frazier spoke of how overwhelming the situation has become. She said 194 dogs are in the CHS system right now. Even with strong adoption numbers and constant efforts to transport dogs north, it has been challenging to keep up. Sterilization access is lacking, she said.
As we spoke, Dale was about to depart for Atlanta to bring five dogs to a transport service. Volunteers have been contacting rescue organizations in northern states and Canada to expand rescue connections.
Chattahoochee Humane Society Humane Animal Census
| CHATTAHOOCHE HUMANE | 2025 | YTD’26 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Intake | 722 | — |
| Stray Intake | 457 | |
| Return Adoptions | 20 | |
| Owner Surrender | 228 | |
| Transfer In | 17 | |
| Total Outcomes | 628 | |
| Live Outcomes | 579 | |
| Adoptions | 412 | |
| Reclaim by Owner | 45 | |
| Rescue | 122 | |
| Fatal Outcomes | 49 | |
| Euthanasia | 14 | |
| Died/Lost | 35 | |
| Missing Outcomes | 94 | |
| Adj. Total Outcomes | 722 | |
| Live Release Rate | 80.2% |
Source: Chattahoochee Humane Society 2025 Animal Census.
Live Release Rate = Live Outcomes ÷ Total Outcomes.
A substantial difference between Intake and Outcome totals suggests flawed or missing data and is indicated in Missing Outcomes, Adj. Total Outcomes, and in the LRR — pending accounting from the shelter.
Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Chambers Co.
- Chattahoochee Humane Society facilitates a spay/neuter program when funding is available.
- Several Chambers County vets participate in the ALVMF license plate program. The co-pay is $10 per cat or $20 per dog, plus an average of $40–100 due if the vet deems your pet to be in need of vaccines or parasite treatments.
- See Low-Cost Spay/Neuter in Alabama for additional resources.
Dog Bites & Attacks in Chambers Co.
To have knowledge of a bite or scratch and fail to report it is a crime (§ 3-7A-9). First seek medical attention; then report as soon as possible to:
- Chambers Co. Health Department at 334-756-0758, and
- Law Enforcement: Chambers Co. Sheriff’s Office at 334-576-0914, or your police department.
See Dog Bites & Attacks for more information on reporting, quarantine, criminal charging, and legal implications.
Chambers Co. Documents & Sources
Documents:
- Chattahoochee Humane Society Animal Census: 2025
- Chambers County Commission Resolution to Adopt Alabama Code § 3-1-5 (see pages 3, 7, and 8 of the pdf).
- Chambers County Commission Public Records Request Form: The County Commission does not appear to have a Public Records Request form on their website. Call the Commission to request a form or submit according to the Open Records Act template.
Sources:
- Sept. 28, 2026: Phalisha Hadaway, former director of Chattahoochee Humane Society and current ACO at the Valley Police Department, emailed to inform us of these updates. We invited Phalisha to provide any corrections or additions to this page, and also asked for clarification of a couple Census data points.
- Sept. 28, 2026: Dale Frazier, interim director, Chattahoochee Humane Society, spoke about the shelter with Kristin Yarbrough and provided 2025 census records on June 12, 2026. Thanks to Jessica for passing the message to Dale. On Sept. 28, 2026, following an update from Phalisha, we invited Dale and CHS to provide any corrections or additions to this page, and also asked for clarification of a couple Census data points.
- Jan. 22, 2026: Regina Chambers, Chambers County Manager, 334-476-2540, spoke to Aubrie Kavanaugh on Apr. 25, 2025 about the shelter and animal control in the county and municipalities. Regina reported that sterilization is performed on all animals prior to adoption, however the following year
- Ms. Chambers exchanged emails with Kristin Yarbrough on Jan. 22, 2026 regarding Alabama Code § 3-1-5 adoption and provided the resolution and meeting minutes. On May 20, 2026, Ms. Chambers quickly answered a request for Chattachoochee Humane Society census reports, stating that “Chambers County Commission does not have this information.” After receiving 2025 census data from Dale Frazier of Chattahoochee Humane Society, we passed it on to Ms. Chambers for her and the commissioners’ awareness on June 13, 2026.
- Apr. 1, 2025: Skip McCoy, Chambers County Attorney: When we inquired with the Commission about Chambers County's Alabama Code § 3-1-5 status, we received an unsigned reply from commission.info@chamberscountyal.gov: “Your question has been forwarded to the county’s attorney for assistance.” Soon after, County Attorney Skip McCoy presented and explained the statute to Commissioners, who voted to adopt in July 2025.
- Mar. 28, 2025: Lisa Wimberley, Supervisor at Lee County Animal Control, offered information about animal control and Alabama Code § 3-1-5 status to Kristin Yarbrough on Mar. 28, 2025. Lisa stated that when animal control calls are received by Chambers County officials, residents are told to shoot the dog (which remains illegal in the absence of legal cause) or to transport the dog to the Chattahoochee Humane Society.
- Mar. 20, 2025: Chattahoochee Humane Society: We contacted this organization's Facebook page on Mar. 20, 2025 to ask whether Alabama Code § 3-1-5 status had been adopted by the Commission, but did not hear back.
- Mar. 20, 2025: Friends of Chattahoochee Humane: We contacted this organization's Facebook page on Mar. 20, 2025 to ask whether Alabama Code § 3-1-5 status had been adopted by the Commission, but did not hear back.
Do You Have a Correction, Addition, or Comment?
Please see the note at the top of this page.