Grayson County Animal Control

Grayson County Animal Control is committed to the prevention and control of rabies throughout the unincorporated (out of city limits) areas of Grayson County through enforcement of local and state laws.  Animal control addresses the following:

  • Prevention/control of rabies and other zoonotic diseases
  • Enforcement of state laws and Grayson County animal ordinances
  • Cruelty allegations for neglected/abused animals (excluding livestock)

Current Stray Policy:

Grayson County Animal Control is currently on a limited intake system for stray dogs and cats. A set number of stray animals can be taken in as spots are available to ensure there is room for high priority intake such as animals from cruelty cases. If the animal has an owner, refer to our county leash laws in the animal control ordinances as it may be a restraint concern.

To find out if we have available spots for intake of stray animals or to report a restraint complaint please call to leave a message or fill out an online complaint form below..

 

Lost/Impounded Animals?
All American Dogs
(972) 328-3647

Livestock Concerns?
Grayson County Sheriff’s Office
(903) 893-4388

Within City Limits?
Click Here

Wildlife:
We do not capture, transport, or relocate any species of wild animals except for the purpose of rabies control. If you have an injured, sick, or young wild animal please contact your local wildlife rehabilitator.

While many wild animals can be affected by rabies there are five animals Texas considers high risk rabies carriers: raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, and coyotes.

If one of these animals is suspected to be rabid please ensure you, your family, and any of your animals cannot come into contact with the animal. If you believe there may have been contact with the possibly rabid animal please see below.

Rabies Prevention:
Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. Rabies is typically transmitted through bites or scratches from a rabid animal. The virus is often found in wild animals including raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, and coyotes but is most commonly spread to humans through dog bites.

All dogs, cats, and ferrets in the state of Texas are required by law to have up to date rabies vaccinations (by 16 weeks of age or as recommended by your vet) which must be performed by a licensed veterinarian. Please contact your local veterinary clinic or animal shelter to find options to ensure your animal is up to date on all vaccinations.

Know the signs of rabies:

  • Behavioral Signs – Fearfulness in domestic animals, no fear of humans or boldness in wildlife, aggressiveness, depression, self-mutilation.
  • Clinical Signs – Excessive drooling, difficulty eating, staggering or difficulty walking, paralysis, and seizures. Rabid bats may be unable to fly.

Protect you and your animals:

  • Appreciate wildlife from a distance. Don’t feed or handle wildlife. If you believe an animal is in distress, contact a wildlife rehabilitator in your area.
  • Ensure your pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.
  • Keep your pets restrained to your property. Fenced in yards can help prevent encounters with high risk rabies carriers.

If a human or animal has been exposed to a suspected rabid animal:

  1. Wash the wound with soap and water immediately. Rinse well.
  2. Identify the animal by species/breed, size, color, and location.
  3. If possible, seek to contain the animal if safe to do so (alive or dead) to test the brain for rabies (brain tissue must be intact to test).
  4. Contact Grayson County Sheriff’s office to report exposure at (903)893-4388.
  5. Seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Post-exposure vaccinations are available but are only recommended if the animal tests positive for rabies, the animal does not pass quarantine, or the animal cannot be located within 10 days. Pets will receive booster shot(s) and must be isolated.

Once an animal has been reported as being rabid with possible exposure to a human or animal, an animal control officer will contact you for additional information.

If the suspected rabid animal can be retrieved for testing an animal control officer will pick up the body as soon as possible (do not freeze). If the animal cannot be contained, a trap can be set out to catch the animal for testing.

Domestic animals that may have been exposed to a rabid animal will be placed in isolation for between 45-90 days for monitoring.

Animal Bites:
If any dog, cat, or ferret bites a person, the bite must be reported and the animal that bit must be quarantined for 240 hours or 10 days from the date the bite occurred. This allows the animal to be monitored for symptoms of rabies, regardless of vaccination status.

Quarantines can take place at your local veterinary clinic or shelter. If the animal cannot be contained, or the owner is not located, contact the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office immediately so we can attempt to capture the animal for either quarantine or testing.

Contact Us

By Phone:

To reach Grayson County Animal Control please reference the phone number listed below. We are often in the field during office hours so leave a voicemail with the following:

  • Your name and phone number
  • Reason for calling
  • Location and description of the animal

Online: 
An online complaint form is available here. You can also download the animal control complaint report form below and e-mail or fax it to us. Please be as detailed as possible and leave contact information in case an animal control officer needs to reach out to you for additional information.

Emergencies:
Including but not limited to severely injured animals, rabies concerns (animal bites to humans or possibly rabid animals), or aggressive animals.

Please contact the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office at (903)-893-4388.

Contact Us
(903) 893-0131 ext. 1340
Fax: (903) 465-2978

Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 5:00pm

Address
205 North Houston Ave.
Denison, Texas 75021