The Animal Services Center in Wichita Falls, a modern facility dedicated to animal care and public safety, opened its doors in January 2011 at 1207 Hatton Road. This center plays a crucial role as the primary Wichita Pet Shelter, offering a wide array of services to the community and ensuring the well-being of animals within the city limits.
Discovering Wichita Pet Shelter: The Animal Services Center
This state-of-the-art Wichita pet shelter is equipped to house a variety of animals, featuring 36 dog runs, 18 cat cages, a specialized cat isolation room, an exotic animal room, and even a livestock pen. Furthermore, it includes State-licensed quarantine areas for both dogs and cats. This comprehensive setup enables the Wichita pet shelter to provide temporary housing and care for animals while diligently searching for their owners or finding them new loving homes.
A key feature of this Wichita pet shelter is its commitment to quickly reuniting lost pets with their families. As soon as animals arrive at the Animal Services Center, whether brought in by Animal Control Officers or concerned citizens, they are promptly photographed and listed on the Center’s dedicated 24Pet Connect page. This online platform serves as a virtual lost and found, allowing Wichita Falls residents to easily check if their missing companions have been brought to the Wichita pet shelter. The website is continuously updated, providing real-time information on animals entering and leaving the shelter’s care.
Beyond sheltering animals, the Animal Services Center is the operational hub for enforcing the City’s Animal Ordinances within Wichita Falls. Animal Services personnel actively patrol neighborhoods and respond to calls from residents regarding animal-related concerns. This Wichita pet shelter manages a significant volume of animals, averaging around 350 pets each month, highlighting its vital role in the community’s animal welfare ecosystem.
To ensure the team at this Wichita pet shelter remains at the forefront of animal care and community service, Animal Services conducts all-staff training on the fourth Wednesday of each month, resulting in a delayed opening of 1 p.m. on these days. While primarily focused on Wichita Falls, Animal Services occasionally extends its support to areas outside city limits when requested by the Wichita County Sheriff’s Department.
Animal Control: Protecting Pets and People in Wichita Falls
Animal Control Officers (ACOs) are the field personnel representing Wichita pet shelter and operate five days a week, patrolling the streets of Wichita Falls. Their responsibilities are diverse and crucial for maintaining public safety and animal welfare. ACOs respond to a wide range of calls from concerned citizens, including reports of loose animals, animal neglect and abuse, and deceased animals. They also conduct inspections for businesses and animal-related activities requiring permits, such as groomers, pet stores, livestock facilities, breeders, and animal shows.
As a standard procedure, all animals brought to the Wichita pet shelter by Animal Control are photographed and immediately listed on the 24Pet Connect page. During regular business hours, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, residents can reach an Animal Control dispatcher at 940-761-7824 for non-emergency animal concerns.
For after-hours emergencies, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, ACOs are available to respond to critical situations only. To contact the on-call ACO outside of normal business hours, citizens should follow the instructions provided on the Animal Control Hotline at 940-761-7824.
Emergency Calls for Animal Control Include:
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Injured Animals with Life-Threatening Injuries: This applies to unowned animals at large, regardless of species. It is important to note that owners are responsible for seeking veterinary care for their owned animals on their property. Examples of life-threatening injuries include:
- Absence of breathing or severe shortness of breath/inability to move.
- Active, uncontrolled bleeding.
Important Note: The Animal Services advises citizens against interacting with unfamiliar cats, dogs, skunks, or any wild animals encountered outdoors.
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Bites or Scratches Breaking Skin: Incidents involving animal bites or scratches that puncture the skin require immediate attention.
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Loose Livestock: The presence of livestock roaming freely is considered an emergency due to potential safety and traffic hazards.
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Aggressive Animals: Animals exhibiting aggressive behaviors that pose an immediate threat to public safety. Examples include:
- Lunging and snapping at people.
- Chasing or actively attempting to bite citizens.
Non-Aggressive Animal Behaviors (Not Considered Emergencies):
- Barking.
- “Mean” appearance.
- Certain breeds that may appear intimidating (e.g., Pitbulls).
- Packs of dogs running together and barking at people.
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Wildlife Inside a Home: This is limited to venomous snakes found within the livable area of a home.
- Garages, porches, sheds, attics, under houses, and crawl spaces are not considered part of the livable area.
- Officers will only address animals that are readily accessible.
Non-Emergency Calls (After-Hours Response Not Provided):
- Loose Pit Bulls: Treated as any other loose dog and handled during regular business hours.
- Barking Dogs: Noise complaints are addressed during regular business hours.
- Loose Cats: Generally not considered emergencies.
- Cats Hissing: Normal feline behavior; avoid interaction.
- Loose Wildlife (Non-Rabies Carriers): Sick or injured wildlife (excluding potential rabies carriers exhibiting abnormal behavior during daylight hours – skunks, raccoons, foxes, bats, coyotes).
- Any Loose Animal (Except Livestock): Most loose animal calls are handled during regular business hours.
- Non-Venomous Snakes (Outside the Livable Area): Pest control companies handle removal. Non-venomous snakes inside the livable area are also not emergency calls.
- Deceased Animals (Non-Traffic Hazards):
- Dead animals on streets not posing immediate traffic hazards.
- Small deceased animals.
- Dead animals on side streets.
- Dead animals in streets during late/early hours or low traffic times.
- Birds (Regardless of Injury): Contact bird rescue organizations for assistance. Baby birds fallen from nests are not emergencies.
- Owned/Unowned Sick or Injured Animals (Non-Life-Threatening):
Examples of non-life-threatening conditions include:- Vomiting.
- Limping.
- Lethargy (but breathing normally).
- Foaming at the mouth.
- Thin body condition.
- Ticks.
- Hair loss.
- Hunger.
- Needs for food, water, shelter, or routine vet care.
The on-call ACO carefully evaluates all incoming calls to determine if they meet the criteria for an emergency response. Non-emergency calls are addressed as resources allow or on the next business day.
Animal Services Advisory Committee: Guiding the Wichita Pet Shelter
The Animal Shelter Advisory Committee plays an advisory role, assisting the City in adhering to Chapters 823 & 826 of the TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE and in establishing best practices for the city’s animal control program. This committee consists of five members: the Local Rabies Control Authority of Wichita Falls (a city official), a veterinarian, an animal shelter operations professional, a representative from an animal welfare organization, and a citizen representing the general public. The Committee convenes at least three times annually, with all member terms expiring on December 31st. Information regarding the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee’s policy for open meeting public comments can be accessed via the ASAC link in the city’s website navigation.
In conclusion, the Wichita pet shelter and Animal Control services are essential components of Wichita Falls, dedicated to ensuring animal welfare, public safety, and responsible pet ownership within the community.
