Animal Services in Tallapoosa County
With Local Advocates Jennie Zinn & Jennifer Robinson
Updated Oct. 3, 2026
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Animal Control in Tallapoosa 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.
Tallapoosa Co. Does Not Provide Animal Services
Tallapoosa Co. employs no animal control officer, provides no pickup of loose dogs, and has no impoundment facility. As such, Tallapoosa 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 and cities under 5,000 population are the responsibility of Tallapoosa Co. Commission, while enforcement of animal law is the responsibility of police departments and Tallapoosa Co. Sheriff’s Office.
Tallapoosa Co. Sheriff’s Office256-825-4264
Our understanding is that the Sheriff’s Office has a small number of dog runs at Lake Martin Animal Shelter for the boarding of dangerous dogs.
Jennie Zinn of Lake Martin Animal Rescue and others have for many years advocated that the Commission provide these state-mandated animal services for the protection of people and animals alike.
Tallapoosa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40,953 | Tallapoosa Co. | None | None | § 3-7A |
| See Animal Control regarding animal concerns in unincorporated Tallapoosa Co. — including the communities of Andrew Jackson, Bulgers, Cherokee Bluffs, Church Hill, Dudleyville, Fosheeton, Frog Eye, Hackneyville, Our Town, and Reeltown. | ||||
| 14,843 | Alexander City | Lake Martin | PD | § 10-27 |
| Report animal concerns in Alexander City to the PD at 256-234-3421. Alexander City Animal Ordinances include a prohibition of single-point chaining or tethering and a minimum enclosure space. | ||||
| 1,066 | Camp Hill | None | None | ? |
| See Animal Control regarding animal concerns in Camp Hill. | ||||
| 3,084 | Dadeville | None | None | # 515 § 3 |
| See Animal Control regarding animal concerns in Dadeville. Report suspected cruelty or other animal crimes to the PD at 256-825-6212. | ||||
| 174 | Daviston | None | None | ? |
| See Animal Control regarding animal concerns in Daviston. | ||||
| 52 | Goldville | None | None | ? |
| See Animal Control regarding animal concerns in Goldville. | ||||
| 828 | Jackson’s Gap | None | None | ? |
| See Animal Control regarding animal concerns in Jackson’s Gap. | ||||
| 773 | New Site | None | None | ? |
| See Animal Control regarding animal concerns in New Site. | ||||
| 4,763 | Tallassee | City | PD | # 98-349 |
| Report animal concerns in Tallassee to the PD at 334-283-6586. Impounded animals are held in the Tallassee Pound and boarded for 10 days, according to the city website, and may then be transferred to Humane Society of Elmore County. | ||||
[County population includes municipalities. Tallassee is partly in Elmore Co.]
Is Dog Confinement Required in Tallapoosa 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.
Residents Beg Commissioners to Protect Public Safety
The Commission’s choice not to operate a shelter, employ ACOs, or require dog confinement has been a long-standing point of contention.
Many residents report having asked the Commission to provide state-mandated animal services and to adopt the confinement statute — and feeling like their appeals to Commissioners have fallen on deaf ears.
- Feb. 2, 2014: A 4-year-old girl was fatally mauled as she played outside her grandfather's home in Tallassee. Criminal charges against the owners of the suspected dogs would be unlikely, reported the Montgomery Advertiser. “It’s heartbreaking what has happened,” said Tallapoosa Co. District Attorney E. Paul Jones. “Tallapoosa Co. doesn’t have a law on the books that says owners can’t allow their dogs to run-at-large. If there is no law, there can be no charges.”
- Sept. 13, 2014: The Dadeville Record published the first of a planned series of articles, “Lack of confinement law in rural areas leaves authorities boxed in when dealing with dogs running at large.”
- July 13, 2020: Jennie Zinn of Lake Martin Animal Rescue addressed the Commission about adopting the state’s dog confinement statute.
- Sometime in 2023: The Tallapoosa Co. Commission has been “trying to do something” to improve the animal services situation since 2023, County Administrator Embirly Collum told us in 2025. Efforts have included budgeting for animal control and moving toward adoption of Alabama Code § 3-1-5, she said, reiteratating that the topic of animal services continued to be on the Commission agenda.
- Some Years Prior to 2025: The lack of a dog confinement requirement for the unincorporated area has been a long-standing point of contention, according to our 2025 conversation with Lt. Arrington of the Tallapoosa Co. Sheriff’s Office.
- Apr. 30, 2025: We sent the Guide for Counties & Municipalities via email to addresses Embirly provided for herself and for then-County Administrator Black Beck.
- Apr. 29, 2025: See our conversation with Emberly Collum, above.
- Mar. 30, 2026: When we checked in a year later for any update on animal services or adoption of the statute, Embirly said nothing would be considered until after the November 3, 2026 election.
- Sept. 14, 2026: Jennie Zinn of Lake Martin Animal Rescue “addressed the commission on their lack of adopting the state’s containment law once again,” she wrote on Facebook, as well as about their failure to provide state-mandated animal control and sheltering.
- Sept. 28, 2026: Referencing the years of advocacy, Lake Martin Animal Rescue posted on Sept. 28, 2026:
“Many citizens have asked for this for years to protect themselves, their animals, and their families. Same people still in office and same excuses for not making it happen. Y’all wake up. Who is going to run for office and make a change?”
The intention to adopt the state confinement law is central to Commissioners’ efforts to improve animal services, then-Probate Judge Embirly Collum told us in 2025. However, Embirly said, that intention is countered by Commissioners’ beliefs that:
- Most residents oppose adoption, and
- Increased funding would then be necessary for sheltering and to establish Animal Control.
Actually, the statute can be enforced without animal control and actually reduces impoundment numbers. We provided full information to Tallapoosa Co. leaders in April 2026.
Impoundment Facilities & Shelters in Tallapoosa Co.
If your pet is lost, remember to check not only the local shelter or impoundment facility, but also those in neighboring cities and counties.
Government Animal Shelters
- Lake Martin Animal Shelter serves Alexander City.
- The Tallassee Pound serves Tallassee.
- The state mandates that counties provide a pound for the unincorporated area and small municipalities. Tallapoosa Co. does not provide a pound.
The Lake Martin Animal Shelter is the contracted impoundment center for Alexander City. It is operated by a nonprofit Lake Martin Humane Society, Inc.
Lake Martin Animal Shelter2502 Sugar Creek Rd, Alexander City, AL 35010
256-234-5533
Website, Facebook
The shelter also accepts animals from Tallapoosa Co. when space allows and receives “some” financial support from the county; as of April 2025 there was no contractual agreement with the county.
Lake Martin Animal Shelter Census
Data will be filled in when provided by the recordholder. We requested on Oct. 2, 2026.
| LAKE MARTIN ANIMAL SHELTER | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Intake | |||
| Stray Intake | |||
| Owner Surrender | |||
| Other Intake | |||
| Total Outcomes | |||
| Live Outcomes | |||
| Adoptions | |||
| Reclaim by Owner | |||
| Rescue | |||
| Fatal Outcomes | |||
| Euthanasia | |||
| Died/Lost | |||
| Missing Outcomes | |||
| Adj. Total Outcomes | |||
| Live Release Rate |
Source:
Live Release Rate (LRR) = 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 Tallapoosa Co.
- Alabama Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic in Montgomery, 334-239-7387, is the lowest-price option available. The clinic also offers a $50 feral cat (TNR) package.
- Castaway Animal Clinic in Eclectic, 334-918-2130 — request the Lake Martin Animal Rescue low-cost spay & neuter account.
- Alabama Spay & Neuter in Irondale (Birmingham) offers low prices and $10/pet transportation from Alex City and Delta approximately once a month — call early to reserve your pet’s spot.
- See Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Alabama for additional resources.
Dog Bites & Attacks in Tallapoosa 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:
- Tallapoosa Co. Health Department at 256-329-0531, and
- Law Enforcement: Tallapoosa Co. Sheriff’s Office at 256-825-4264, or your police department.
See Dog Bites & Attacks for more information on reporting, quarantine, criminal charging, and legal implications.
Documents & Sources
Documents:
- Tallapoosa 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:
- Oct. 2, 2026: Emailed Lake Martin Animal Shelter to request Census Reports, to request more information about the shelter, and to invite any corrections or additions to this page.
- Oct. 2, 2026: Emailed Jennie Zinn of Lake Martin Animal Rescue regarding § 3-1-5 advocacy documentation and to invite any corrections or additions to this page.
- Mar. 30, 2026: Embirly Collum, Tallapoosa County Administrator and former Chief Probate Clerk, Tallapoosa County Commission, 256-825-4268, shared information about animal services in Tallapoosa County on Apr. 29 and Sept. 19, 2025 and on Mar. 30, 2026. Embirly said in April 2025 that Tallapoosa Co. does provide some financial support to Lake Martin Animal Shelter, though there is no formal arrangement.
- Mar. 30, 2026: Kim, Lake Martin Animal Shelter, spoke about the shelter and animal control in the city and county in May 2025 and again on Mar. 30, 2026.
- Mar. 25, 2025: Lt. Arrington, Tallapoosa Co. Sheriff’s Office, stated on Mar. 25, 2025 that the Tallapoosa County Commission had not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5.
Do You Have a Correction, Addition, or Comment?
Please see the note at the top of this page.