Animal Control
Animal control staff is located at the Police Department at 716 St. Paul Street. Hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Animal Control personnel may be reached at 830-672-8686, or by fax at 830-672-9081. The City Municipal dog shelter is operated by Gonzales Dog Adoptions GDA(501C3) and is located on County Road 488 off of FM 532 (Moulton Highway). The city Municipal cat shelter is operated by Gonzales Paws and Whiskers GPAWS(501C3) is located at 505 Saint Francis. Please contact GDA or GPAWS for adoptions and volunteer inquires.
Animal Rabies:
If you have questions about rabies exposure animal bites, quarantine requirements, or need to report an animal that may have rabies, please contact the city's local Rabies Authority, Officer Melissa Cunningham at (830-672-8686)
Our Local Rabies Authority is available to assist with:
-Animal bite and exposure reports
-rabies quarantine procedures
-rabies vaccination questions
-stray or wild animals exhibiting unusual behavior.
-General rabies education and prevention.
Prompt reporting is important to help protect both people and animals. If you have been bitten or exposed to a potentially rabid animal, seek medical attention immediately and report the incident as soon as possible.
For non- Emergency rabies related questions or concerns please contact animal control at 830-672-8686. If you are experiencing an emergency or an immediate threat to public safety, call 911.
Fees
The following fees are required to retrieve your impounded pet from the shelter:
- $25.00 Impound fee
- Please come to City Hall Monday-Friday 8:00- 5:00 to pay the
impound fee.
- After hours and on weekends payments may be made at the Police
Department (Please note that the police department will only accept a check or
Money order)
Gonzales Dog Adoptions Fee (Please note, GDA only accepts cash or checks only)
-Day of impoundment: $20.00
-Additional $10.00 per day Boarding fees
-If this is a second impound or more within a one-year period, Gonzales Dog Adoption Fees Double.
Directions to reclaim your Dog from the local shelter:
1. Visit City Hall or the Police Department to pay the $25.00 impound fee prior to coming to Gonzales Dog Adoptions. A receipt is needed from City Hall in order for GDA to release your dog.
2. Visit GDA at 400 CR 488 Gonzales TX 78629 (10am-3pm Mon- Sat) with cash or check for fees owned to the shelter.
Call Keiko (830)857-4085 when you arrive at the gate.
Release requirements:
-proof of ownership
-ID
-Written proof of current rabies vaccination
PLEASE NOTE: unowned impounded dogs, cats, other domestic animals and livestock shall be kept for no fewer than (72 hours) Owner known impounded dogs and cats shall be kept for not fewer than 144 hours (six days) according to Gonzales City ordinances. Animals not claimed by owners may become candidates for GDA's or GPAWS adoption program.
Rabies Vaccination Fees - If the pet owner cannot produce a valid current rabies vaccination certificate on the animal picked up, the animal will be taken to a local veterinarian of the owner's choice and vaccinated for rabies by the Animal Control Officer prior to allowing the pet to be taken home. The rabies vaccination will be paid for by the pet owner.
Animal Removal Services
The City of Gonzales will provide the following services for animal removal:
Domestic Animals - dogs, cats, puppies, kittens
- If the animal is a stray, Animal Control will pick it up.
- If the animal is owned, it is up to the owner to find it a good home if it is no longer wanted.
- If the animal is dead and located on a city street or a lot within city limits, Animal Control will pick it up.
Non-domestic Animals - horses, cows, bulls, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, etc. are the responsibility of the owner of the animal. This includes food, shelter, medical attention as required, and keeping animals of this kind tied, penned, or caged as applicable. Note: chickens are to be penned up and not allowed to roam freely. Citations will be issued for loose running chickens within city limits. Cleanliness and odor control of pens, lots, cages, or areas where these animals are kept is the responsibility of the owners.
Note: dead animals located on US 183 or the 90A By-Pass are picked up by the Texas Highway Department.