San Antonio Animal Control: Your 123 Guide to Animal Services

Animal Control in San Antonio: A Comprehensive Overview

San Antonio Animal Care Services (SAACS) is the city's primary animal control agency, responsible for enforcing animal welfare laws, investigating animal cruelty cases, and providing shelter and care for stray and unwanted animals. According to the Animal Humane Society, San Antonio has one of the highest rates of animal intake among major cities in the United States, with over 100,000 animals entering its shelter system annually.

Common Animal Control Services in San Antonio

SAACS offers a wide range of animal control services, including:

• Animal cruelty investigations: SAACS investigates reports of animal abuse and neglect, including abandonment, starvation, and physical abuse.
• Animal intake and sheltering: SAACS operates two animal care centers, where stray and unwanted animals are taken in, assessed, and provided with necessary care.
• Adoption services: SAACS facilitates the adoption of shelter animals to responsible pet owners.
• Animal licensing and registration: SAACS issues licenses and tags for dogs and cats, which helps identify lost or stolen animals.
• Rabies control: SAACS conducts rabies vaccination clinics and provides free rabies vaccines to eligible animals.
• Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program: SAACS offers a TNR program for feral cats, which involves trapping, neutering/spaying, and returning the cats to their outdoor environment.

How to Contact San Antonio Animal Control

To contact San Antonio Animal Care Services, you can:

• Call the non-emergency line at (210) 207-4738
• Call the emergency line at (210) 207-3370
• Visit one of the two animal care centers:
  • Main Animal Care Center: 4710 State Highway 151
  • Southeast Animal Care Center: 5636 Old Pearsall Road
• Submit a request online at www.sanantonio.gov/animalcare

Pet Adoption in San Antonio

SAACS encourages pet adoption as a way to reduce animal homelessness and provide loving homes to animals in need. Adopting a pet from SAACS has the following benefits:

• You save a life: By adopting a shelter animal, you give a homeless pet a second chance at happiness.
• You reduce animal euthanasia: Every adopted animal makes room in the shelter for another animal to be saved.
• You gain a loyal companion: Shelter animals are grateful for the opportunity to have a home and will love you unconditionally.

Tips for Responsible Pet Ownership

To be a responsible pet owner in San Antonio, follow these tips:

• Spay or neuter your pet: Spaying or neutering prevents unwanted litters and reduces the risk of certain health problems.
• Keep your pet up to date on vaccinations: Vaccinations protect your pet from preventable diseases that can be life-threatening.
• License your pet: Licensing identifies your pet and provides proof of current vaccinations.
• Provide adequate food, water, and shelter for your pet: Your pet should have access to clean water at all times, as well as nutritious food and a safe place to sleep.
• Exercise your pet regularly: Exercise helps keep your pet healthy and well-behaved.
• Be kind and compassionate to your pet: Pets need love and attention to thrive.

Animal Welfare Laws in San Antonio

Animal welfare laws in San Antonio are designed to protect animals from cruelty, neglect, and exploitation. Some key animal welfare laws include:

• The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act: This state law prohibits animal cruelty, including abandonment, starvation, physical abuse, and killing without正当理由.
• The San Antonio Animal Care and Control Ordinance: This city ordinance sets specific animal control requirements for San Antonio residents, including leash laws, vaccination requirements, and noise control regulations.
• The Dangerous Dog Ordinance: This ordinance defines dangerous dogs and prohibits their ownership.

Animal Cruelty Reporting

If you suspect that an animal is being abused or neglected, it is important to report it to the authorities. To report animal cruelty in San Antonio, you can:

• Call the San Antonio Animal Care Services emergency line at (210) 207-3370
• Call the San Antonio Police Department at (210) 207-7273
• Submit a report online at www.sanantonio.gov/animalcare

Resources for Pet Owners in San Antonio

There are many resources available to pet owners in San Antonio, including:

• San Antonio Animal Care Services: SAACS provides a variety of services to pet owners, including vaccinations, microchipping, and owner education classes.
• The Animal Humane Society of San Antonio: The Humane Society offers a range of services, including pet adoption, low-cost vaccinations, and a pet food pantry.
• The San Antonio Pet Resource Center: The Pet Resource Center provides a variety of services to pet owners, including adoption assistance, financial aid for veterinary care, and pet food distribution.
• The University of Texas at San Antonio Veterinary Hospital: The UT Health Science Center Veterinary Hospital provides affordable veterinary care to pets in San Antonio.

Conclusion

San Antonio Animal Care Services plays a vital role in protecting animals and promoting responsible pet ownership in the city. By working together with SAACS and other animal welfare organizations, we can help create a more humane and compassionate community for all animals.

Table 1: Animal Intake and Euthanasia Rates in San Antonio

Table 2: Common Animal Control Services Provided by San Antonio Animal Care Services

Table 3: Benefits of Pet Adoption from San Antonio Animal Care Services

Table 4: Tips for Responsible Pet Ownership in San Antonio