Animal Services in Franklin County

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Impoundment Facilities or Shelters in Franklin County

This small impoundment facility is operated directly by Franklin County. It was intended to be temporary but has instead has been in use for 20 years, according to reporting by Aria Pons for WAFF. The facility is not open to the public and the county does not share an address. Our understanding is that it is located near the dump.

All animals that are not removed by rescuers are killed. Franklin County Animal Control does not offer adoptions and has no fostering program. One rescuer said she “was told that Franklin County is not in the dog business that it was easier to euthanize than to try to help save them.” After the 7-day stray hold, unclaimed dogs are sent to Marion County to be destroyed.

• Stray Hold is 7 days.
• Spay/Neuter is not performed and adoptions are not currently being offered; the county plans to offer animals for adoption “in the future.”
• Animal Census Reports: ACO Joey Wingo said he is aware of the Animal Census Reporting Act but heard conflicting information. Joey said he keeps up with the animals they have.

A new facility was approved in Nov. 2024, to be located near the Franklin County Jail near the city limit of Russellville. The facility to include a 50-run kennel, according to Charlotte Williams, director of Marion/Winston Animal Shelter. When asked about the status of the facility, Jessica said the county had been waiting on sewer work and now has been waiting on the weather, which she said has been too cold or rainy. County Engineer Jason Baggett then said on Jan. 13, 2026 that the building pad is completed; the contractor has some building materials at the site and and is getting ready to start subgrade work such as plumbing. Jason said he expects the facility to be operational by mid-summer 2026.

Animal Control in Franklin County

Animal Control in Unincorporated Areas of Franklin County: Animal Control Officers Joey Wingo and Matt Mayfield serve Franklin County. They are employed by the County Commission. For assistance, call 256-332-1217.

We have been advised that Franklin County Sheriff’s Office regularly tells residents that they can shoot any stray dog on their property — which when done without legal cause, is animal cruelty, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and $15,000 in fines.

Animal Control Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:

• For animal concerns in Red Bay, call Town Hall at 256-356-4473.
• In Russellville, call the Police Department at 256-332-2230.
• For concerns in the small towns of Hodges, Phil Campbell, and Vina, call town hall, police, or Franklin County Animal Control.

If your ACO is unable to help or if your area has no animal services, see this guidance.

Dog Confinement Requirements in Franklin County

County Adoption of Alabama’s Dog Confinement Statute: Dog confinement is not required in unincorporated Franklin County because the Franklin County Commission has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, which would require that dogs be confined to the owner’s premises or kept in the charge of a responsible person if off-premises. There are still steps you can take to address issues or to encourage the county to require confinement.

Two women were killed in April 2022 attacks by unconfined dogs in Red Bay, Franklin County, Alabama. See comments by Colbert County Administrator Roger Creekmore and the FAQ discussion of ownership.

Dog Confinement Requirements Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:

• Dog confinement is required by ordinance in Red Bay (§ 95-11-27).
• Dog confinement is not required in Russellville.
• Hodges, Phil Campbell, Vina: Please contact us if you can provide information. Unless these municipalities prohibit running at large via ordinance, there is no dog confinement requirement.

How to Report: See How to Report an At-Large Violation.

Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Franklin County

• Shoals PAWS (Fb) offers spay/neuter and TNR assistance to pet owners and community cat caretakers in Colbert, Franklin, and Lauderdale counties. PAWS also operates foster programs and offers puppies, dogs, kittens, and cats for adoption.
• Northwest Alabama Spay and Neuter Assistance (NASANA) (Fb) offers financial assistance for pet sterilization to residents of Colbert, Franklin, and Lauderdale counties who receive either food stamps or Medicaid. Fill out the application on their website.
• See Low-Cost Spay/Neuter in Alabama for additional resources.

Franklin County Documents

• County Commission Public Records Request: The form and procedures are posted on the Commission website. The Commission’s procedure includes an in-person requirement. If your request is denied on that basis, see this information.
• Animal Shelter Census: See above.

Sources

• Joey Wingo, ACO, Franklin County Animal Shelter, 256-332-1217, spoke with Aubrie Kavanaugh on April 29, 2025 about the shelter and animal control.
• Jessica, Franklin County Commission, 256-332-8850 x13, spoke with Kristin Yarbrough on Mar. 27, 2025 regarding Alabama Code § 3-1-5; she stated that Franklin County has not adopted the statute. On Jan. 9, 2025, we spoke about progress on the new shelter; Jessica referred me to Jason Baggett.
• Tracie, Franklin County Commission, was not aware of the status of the new animal control facility or shelter on a Dec. 30, 2025 phone call.
• Jason Baggett, Franklin County Engineer, 256-332-8434, provided a more specific status of the new animal control facility on Jan. 13, 2026.
• Amber Hardin, Business/Revenue Clerk, City of Red Bay: 256-356-4473. On a call with Kristin on Dec. 30, 2025, Amber said that the city does their own impoundment, with dogs taken to holding kennels located near the dump, a facility that serves only the city and that is not associated with the county facility. Amber said that animal ordinances are also enforced internally, though was unclear whether by code enforcement personnel or the police.
• Tamy, Russellville City Hall: 256-332-6060. On a call with Kristin on Dec. 30, 2025, Tamy (sp?) said that AC is handled by the police department and that the city has no animal control ordinance.

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