Administration 706-613-3540 Superintendent Patrick Rives Office & Shelter Location 45 Beaverdam Road Extension Location Map Mailing Address P.O. Box 1868 Athens, GA 30603 Shelter Hours Every day except Wed. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Wed. & Holidays Closed Service Hours  Mon. - Fri.: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.  Sat. & Sun.: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Animal Control is a division of the ACC Central Services Department.

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new! Documents related to feral cat colonies are now available online in the Online Documents area.

new! Animal Control is in need of canned food, both adult & puppy (preferably not the Ol’ Roy brand). They could also use dog treats, particularly the soft and “yummy” variety (no rawhides). 

Barking Dog?
Animal Control receives several complaints every week concerning barking dogs. The ordinance reads that that an owner cannot allow his dog to disturb the peace of any other person by loud, persistent, habitual barking, howling, growling, yelping or whining.

Prevent your dog from being the problem.  Dogs may show this type of undesirable behavior if they are bored, anxious, or they are trying to tell the owner that they need something.

• Make sure that dogs are fed regularly and have water
• Make sure dogs always have shade or warmth
• Exercise dogs daily to expend pent-up energy
• Don’t make a big deal out of leaving for the day
• Turn on a radio to offer reassurance and distraction
• Many dogs can be trained not to bark
• If all else fails, a bark collar may solve the problem

File a Complaint
The Animal Control area of Online Documents has a complaint form with instructions for those wishing to file a barking dog complaint.

See a snake? Here's what to do (don't attempt to kill a snake - venomous ones may strike & it's illegal to kill non-venomous ones in GA)

• Venomous: Only 2 kinds in the area - canebrake rattlesnakes & copperheads - that are usually easy to identify. If you see one in a neighborhood or by your house, call Animal Control to remove.
• Non-Venomous: The majority of snakes. If it's in the yard, stay clear and let it move away naturally. If it's in the house, contact Animal Control to relocate it.

If you see an injured animal, call Animal Control (or 911 after hours), stay clear and keep others from approaching. A pet in pain may bite even if it might not normally do so. Animal Control Officers have special training and equipment to help an injured animal without further injuring the animal and without getting injured. We all want to help, and the best way you can do so is to call the professionals. Animal Control can be reached at 706-613-3540.

It is illegal for owners in Athens-Clarke County to allow their pet to defecate or urinate at all on any private property unless it is their own. If their pet defecates on public property such as sidewalks, streets, or parks, it must be removed immediately. Poop must also be promptly removed from any private property not under the exclusive use of the owner such as in condo or apartment complexes. Residents finding poop in their yards can call Animal Control for help if they can identify the offender and are willing to provide a written statement.

Animal Control continues to observe residents driving around town with unconfined dogs in the beds of their pick-ups. Do not let your dog ride in an open truck bed. It is illegal in Athens-Clarke County. An estimated 100,000 dogs in the United States die each year by being bumped from truck beds onto the road and into traffic. Also, do not leash your pet inside a truck bed. Many dogs have been strangled when bumped over the sides of trucks and left helplessly dangling. If your dog must ride in the back of the truck, put him or her in a crate secured to the truck bed.

ACC Animal Control encourages citizens to keep their cats indoors for their safety & the protection of wildlife. For more information, call 706-613-3540.

Since November 2007, it is illegal for dog owners to chain their animals as a means of confinement. For more information or to report a violation, contact ACC Animal Control at 706-613-3540

Volunteers Welcome: Animal Control continues to host volunteer groups. Volunteers get to walk dogs, bathe puppies, and enjoy the animals.  The shelter appreciates the help it receives from volunteers and encourages those needing a puppy to snuggle to come help out.

Online listing of dogs at the Animal Control shelter

Animal Control Wish List

• Small wool blankets or thick fleece (less than 4x6 in size). Best gift for cold dogs.
• Pull-tab canned dog food (small and large)
• Dry puppy food
• Pig ears
• Munchy sticks
• Treats (Eukanuba, Beggin Strips, not too many milkbones or bland treats)
• Knotted rawhides
• Catnip, cat treats (Pounce)
• First-aid kits (gauze, band-aids, coflex, etc.)
• Frontline spray, Capstar pills (to kill fleas)
• Dog earwash and eyewash
• Esbilac milk replacer
• Flannel sheets

Shelter from Elements Required for Domestic Animals - Local ordinances state that "all domestic animals shall be provided with protection from the elements." Upon receiving a complaint, the owners are usually given a warning and a date by which to provide shelter for the animal. If the compliance date has passed and the animal is observed in the elements without shelter, a citation is usually issued. To report an animal without shelter during inclement weather call Animal Control. Please have the address where the animal is located when calling.

Services
Animal Control provides the following services for citizens. . .

• Public safety from dangerous or seriously sick animals and at-large dogs
• Investigations of allegations of animal cruelty
• Enforcement of the Athens-Clarke County Animal Control Ordinances
• Adoption or reclaim of impounded and surrendered dogs
• Public education on a variety of topics related to animals
• Information regarding lost or found dogs

Emergencies
Animal Control has officers on-call 24-hours a day. You can reach Animal Control by dialing 911 after regular business hours. Emergencies include animal bites, seriously sick animals, seriously injured animals, and trapped animals. We do not respond to any other complaints after regular service hours.

• Lost Dogs
• Adoptions
• Barking Dogs
• Animal Cruelty
• Surrenders
• Reclaims
• Donations
• Rabies
• Animal related phone numbers