Animal Services in Jackson County

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Impoundment Facilities or Shelters in Jackson County

Established in 1985, the Scottsboro/Jackson County Animal Shelter is operated jointly by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Scottsboro Police Department, per ACO Kelly Parker of Scottsboro Police Department.

• Stray Hold is 7 days.
• Spay/Neuter is scheduled by the shelter; the adopter is required to bring the pet to the appointment.
• Animal Census Reports are prepared monthly and may be requested from the Commission.

Animal Control in Jackson County

Animal Control in Unincorporated Areas of Jackson County: Jackson County has had no dedicated animal control officer for some time. During our Apr. 2025 conversation, Scottsboro ACO Kelly Parker said the county was working on hiring an officer; as of this Mar. 26, 2026 update, the Animal Control page of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office website states that the position is still vacant. If you need assistance with an animal concern, ask for help from the Sheriff’s Office at 256-574-2610 or contact your commissioner or councilmember.

Animal Control Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:

• Scottsboro employs three ACOs, according to the Police Department website.) For assistance, call 256-259-6511.
• Jackson County Animal Control appears to serve all other areas of the county, including the municipalities of Bridgeport, Stevenson, Dutton, Hollywood, Hytop, Langston, Paint Rock, Pisgah, Pleasant Groves, Section, Skyline, and Woodville.

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

Dog Confinement Requirements in Jackson County

County Adoption of Alabama’s Dog Confinement Statute: Dog confinement is not required in unincorporated Jackson County because the Jackson 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.

Dog Confinement Requirements Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:

• Dog confinement is required by ordinance in Scottsboro (§ 6-27). The city also requires pet licensing (§ 6-22).
• Bridgeport, Stevenson, Dutton, Hollywood, Hytop, Langston, Paint Rock, Pisgah, Pleasant Groves, Section, Skyline, and Woodville requirements are unclear, as these towns do not post ordinances on Municode. If an owner allows his dog to run at large within corporate limits, ask town hall whether the town has or would consider adopting a confinement law.

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

Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Jackson County

• Spay Neuter Jackson County Alabama (also on Facebook) provides spay/neuter assistance to low-income residents and free pet transportation for all (regardless of income or residence).
• Mountaintop Animal Clinic in Pisgah participates in the ALVMF license plate program, which offers $10 cat sterilization or $20 dog sterilization for Medicaid recipients.
• See Low-Cost Spay/Neuter in Alabama, Low-Cost Spay/Neuter in Madison County, or Low-Cost Spay/Neuter in Marshall County for additional resources.

Access to Information & Public Records in Jackson County

The Jackson County Commission Public Records Request Form, linked below, includes an in-person policy. If your request is denied on that basis, see this information.

Jackson County Documents

• County Commission Public Records Request Form

Sources

• Kelly Parker, ACO, Scottsboro Police Department, shared information about the shelter and animal control on Apr. 25, 2025.
• Shree, Jackson County Commission, stated on Mar. 26, 2025 that the county has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5: “As far as anybody here knows the county doesn’t have anything yet.”

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