Animal Services in Madison County
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Impoundment Facilities or Shelters in Madison County
Huntsville Animal Shelter4950 Triana Blvd SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
256-883-3782
Huntsville Animal Shelter (HAS), directed by John Fischer since Dec. 2024, is managed by the City of Huntsville, Alabama’s largest city. Madison County pays a per-animal intake fee.
- Spay/Neuter is performed on all animals prior to adoption.
- Animal Census Reports are published online.
Huntsville has one of the most progressive animal codes in the state. Huntsville led the way by being the first city to enact a Pet Shop ordinance to restrict retail sale of animals to those sourced from shelters and rescue groups that don't get animals from breeders or brokers. This action was taken when the city learned Petland planned to begin operating out of an existing pet store, selling puppies from commercial breeders (often called puppy mills) outside the state. This led the way for other cities to do the same.
The live release rate at Huntsville Animal Services has consistently been one of the highest in the state, reaching 98% for dogs and 96% for cats in August 2025.
Madison County Animal Control3210 NE S Hi-Lo Circle D, Huntsville, AL 35811
256-532-1519 or 256-532-1651
mcac@madisoncountyal.gov
As of Oct. 14, 2025, Madison County residents outside Huntsville must contact Madison County Animal Control regarding stray pets or TNR.
Greater Huntsville Humane Society (GHHS)2812 Johnson Rd SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
256-881-8081
info@ghhs.org
Founded in 1969, Greater Huntsville Humane Society is a 501c3 nonprofit organization funded in part by its thrift store, Three Tails ReSale. GHHS operates a no-kill shelter, foster program, vet clinics for low-income families, and many other services.
Animal Control in Madison County
Madison County Animal Control, 256-532-1519 or 256-532-1651, includes multiple officers who serve the entire county except areas within the city limits of Huntsville and Madison, according to the department website. Madison County requires pet licensing.
Animal Control Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:
- Huntsville is served by Huntsville Animal Services. Animal issues or concerns can be reported on Huntsville Connect. Neglect or abuse can also be reported to 256-883-3782. Huntsville requires pet licensing.
- Madison is served by City of Madison Animal Control, 256-772-5694, which is part of the Madison Police Department. Madison requires pet licensing. Animals impounded in Madison are posted online and held at Madison Police Department, according to the city website, with adoptions coordinated by Madison Animal Rescue Foundation. Neglect or abuse can be reported through a webform.
- Gurley, Owens Cross Roads, and Triana are served by Madison County Animal Control.
Dog Confinement Requirements in Madison County
County Adoption of Alabama’s Dog Confinement Statute: Dog confinement is required in Madison County because the Madison County Commission adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, which requires that dogs be confined to the owner’s premises or kept in the charge of a responsible person if off-premises. The 1987 Resolution is posted on the county website’s Animal Control page.
How to Report a Violation: See How to Report an At-Large Dog.
Dog Confinement Requirements Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:
- Huntsville (§ 5-44) and the City of Madison (§ 6-11) require dog confinement by ordinance.
- New Hope requires confinement by statute.
- Gurley, Owens Cross Roads, and Triana are likely to require confinement by ordinance and/or statute.
Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Madison County and Surrounding Areas
| Cat f | Cat m | Dog f | Dog m | Clinics | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NASNC | $65 | $55 | $80 | $70 | NASNC |
| These are North Alabama Spay Neuter Clinic’s standard low-cost options, which can be discounted by most the programs listed below. Schedule online. Questions: 256-489-0418 or info@nalspayneuter.org. | |||||
| Fixin’ AL | $5 | $5 | $5 | $5 | NASNC, Vets |
| Available to Huntsville residents. See info at NASNC and at HAS. | |||||
| SNAP | $5 | $5 | $5 | $5 | NASNC |
| Available to Madison County residents. See info at NASNC and at SNAP. | |||||
| Dr. Weber Fund | $20 | $20 | $20 | $20 | NASNC |
| Available to residents outside of Madison County. Includes spay/neuter and rabies vaccine. See requirements and details. Funds are limited; schedule now. | |||||
| FCDF | $75 | $60 | $90 | $80 | Vets |
| Available to all. If you’d prefer your pet have surgery at Animal Tracks Vet Hospital in Decatur, this may be the lowest cost way to do so. Prepay Friends of Cats & Dogs Foundation (FCDF) online or via mail. | |||||
Cat TNR & Fostering: Forgotten Felines (Fb) is a nonprofit cat rescue in Huntsville that assists community cats through TNR (trap, neuter, return), while also operating a foster care program and offering cats nad kittens for adoption.
See Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Alabama for additional resources.
Access to Information & Public Records in Madison County
Commission: Since the Comission’s § 3-1-5 adoption resolution was posted on Madison County’s website, confinement law research did not require even a single call or email.
Madison County Documents & Resources
- Not Rocket Science: A Story of No Kill Animal Shelter Advocacy in Huntsville, Alabama by Aubrie Kavanaugh
- Huntsville Animal Services Animal Census Data
- Madison County Resolution to Adopt Alabama Code § 3-1-5
- City of Madison Public Records Request
Sources
- Huntsville Animal Services (HAS), John Fischer, director. Information on this page regarding animal control in Madison County and Huntsville and sterilization of shelter animals is from Aubrie Kavanaugh’s conversations with John Fischer.
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