Pets

Harris County Pets provides animal adoption, lost-and-found assistance, pet licensing, veterinary wellness services, animal surrender appointments, bite reporting, community cat services, and animal control information for residents. This article explains which services are available, how to locate the correct office or online system, what information to prepare, and which restrictions or deadlines may affect a visit.

Harris County Pets Services

Harris County Pets is an open-intake municipal animal shelter and pet resource center operated through Harris County Veterinary Public Health. The facility primarily serves residents and animals in unincorporated Harris County, although some services are available to people who live outside the county.

The main Harris County Pets website provides access to adoptable animal listings, clinic information, licensing services, lost-and-found guidance, bite reporting, animal surrender information, volunteer and foster programs, and local animal control contacts.

The shelter is located on Canino Road between Interstate 45 and the Hardy Toll Road. Adoption visits do not require an appointment. Other services may require an appointment, particularly animal surrender and pet clinic services. Calling before traveling to the facility can help prevent an unnecessary trip when a service has limited intake or appointment availability.

Pet Adoption Process

Harris County Pets takes in approximately 10,000 to 18,000 animals each year and offers dogs and cats for adoption. Anyone may adopt from the shelter; county residency is not required. All adoptions must be completed in person, and adopters must be at least 18 years old and present a current, valid identification document.

The shelter does not place holds on animals by telephone or email. Adoptions are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, so an animal shown online may be adopted before another visitor arrives. Prospective adopters can review the official pet adoption requirements and fee information before visiting.

Adoption Hours

Adoption hours are:

Monday through Friday: 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

No adoption appointment is required. Visitors should arrive with enough time to meet an animal, discuss the adoption with shelter staff, complete the paperwork, and pay the required fee.

Items to Bring

Every adopter should bring a valid photo ID. People adopting a dog should also bring a collar and secure leash. People adopting a cat should bring an appropriate pet carrier. Arriving without the proper restraint equipment may delay the animal’s release.

Before adopting, households should discuss who will provide daily care, training, exercise, veterinary treatment, and supervision. Existing pets should be current on vaccinations before a newly adopted animal is brought into the home. The home and yard should also be checked for hazards or places where a pet could escape.

Dogs and cats in unincorporated Harris County must remain confined in their owner’s yard or be kept on a leash. A secure fence is particularly important when adopting a dog. Cats are safest when kept indoors, where they are less likely to be struck by vehicles, attacked by loose animals, or exposed to disease.

Choosing an Animal

Adopters should consider the animal’s age, energy level, likely exercise needs, size, and temperament. A puppy may require frequent supervision, house training, and protection from unsafe fencing. An active adult dog may need substantial daily exercise, while a quieter cat may be a better fit for a smaller or less active household.

Shelter staff allow potential adopters to observe, pet, and play with an animal before making a decision. Because adoption is intended to be a lifelong commitment, visitors should consider the ongoing cost of food, licensing, veterinary treatment, preventive medications, grooming, training, and emergency care.

Adoption Fees

Animal	Standard Fee	Senior or Military Fee
Puppy	$80	$40
Dog	$50	$25
Kitten	$35	$20
Cat	$20	$20
Dog age five or older	$20
Cat age five or older	$10

The senior rate applies to adopters age 60 or older. The listed reduced rate is also available to military adopters for the applicable animal categories.

The shelter accepts cash, American Express, MasterCard, Visa, and Discover for adoptions. Checks are not accepted.

Services Included With Adoption

Adopted dogs and cats are microchipped, dewormed, and spayed or neutered. The adoption package also includes an age-appropriate rabies vaccination and tag, a one-year Harris County pet license, and the animal’s medical history from its time in shelter care.

Harris County Pets does not release unaltered animals through its adoption program. An animal that has already been spayed or neutered may be able to leave the shelter on the adoption day. An animal still awaiting surgery must remain until the procedure is completed.

The shelter encourages adopters to take the new pet and its medical history to a veterinarian within three days for an examination and any needed vaccination boosters.

Post-Adoption Health Policy

Shelter animals may have limited medical or behavioral histories, especially when they arrived as strays. Some illnesses or behaviors may not become apparent until after the animal enters a home.

Harris County Pets provides a two-week health guarantee when the adopted animal has been examined by a veterinarian within the first 72 hours after adoption. The adoption fee is not refundable. If an animal is returned under the policy, the adopter may select another pet within six months of the return.

Searching Available Animals

The official searchable animal listings allow users to review pets currently associated with the shelter. Listings can help users identify animals they may want to meet, but availability can change as animals are adopted, reclaimed, transferred, or moved through required medical procedures.

An online listing does not reserve an animal. The shelter does not accept telephone or email holds, and adoption priority is based on who completes the in-person process first. Visitors should write down or save identifying information from the listing so staff can locate the correct animal at the shelter.

Reclaiming a Lost Pet

Owners reclaiming a pet should bring proof of ownership and a valid photo ID. Proof may include veterinary records or photographs that clearly show the owner with the animal. Providing several forms of supporting information may make it easier for staff to confirm ownership.

Fees or fines may apply before an animal can be released. Owners should be prepared to verify their identity, provide ownership information, and address any licensing or vaccination requirements identified during the reclaim process.

Lost Pet Shelter Visits

No appointment is required to visit the shelter to look for a lost pet. Harris County Pets receives more than 15,000 animals per year, and the shelter cautions owners that intake photographs may not be the best way to recognize a missing animal. Owners should visit the facility in person rather than relying entirely on online images.

Stray animals without a known owner are held for three days before they may be made available for adoption. Because that period is brief, owners should begin searching immediately and return regularly if the animal is not found during the first visit.

The official lost-and-found pet information explains shelter procedures and steps owners can take while searching. A missing pet may travel far from home in a short time, so owners should check every animal shelter serving the area where the pet disappeared.

Information for Found Pets

A person who finds an animal should initially treat it as a lost pet rather than assuming it was abandoned. A veterinarian can scan the animal for a microchip. A registered microchip may provide information needed to contact the owner.

When attempting to confirm ownership, the finder should request a photograph or other evidence showing that the claimant owns the animal. The county’s information also advises using a public location, such as a police station, when meeting someone identified through an online post.

How Microchips Work

A microchip is a small permanent identification device implanted under a pet’s skin. When scanned, it displays a unique numbered code. The number must be registered with the appropriate microchip manufacturer and connected to current owner contact information.

A microchip is not a GPS device. It does not transmit the pet’s location or send a signal that can be tracked. Owners should keep their telephone number, address, and other contact information current with the microchip registration service so a shelter or veterinary office can reach them.

Pet Clinic Services

Harris County Pets operates a low-cost wellness clinic staffed by a licensed veterinarian. County residency is not required to use the clinic. Pet owners can review the pet clinic services and appointment information before scheduling a visit.

Clinic hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The clinic is closed from noon to 1:00 p.m. for lunch. Scheduled appointments are available, and walk-ins may be accepted, although wait times can be longer. The last walk-in is accepted at 4:00 p.m.

All animals must arrive on a secure leash or inside an appropriate pet carrier. The clinic accepts cash and credit cards. Cash payments cannot include bills larger than $20.

Available Clinic Care

Services listed by the clinic include:

Rabies vaccinations
DA2PP vaccinations
Bordetella and parainfluenza vaccinations
Leptospirosis vaccinations
FVRCP vaccinations
Feline leukemia vaccinations
Spay and neuter surgery
Heartworm testing and treatment
Microchipping
Nail trimming
Feline leukemia and FIV testing
Pet licensing
Heartworm and flea preventatives

Pet owners seeking a specific procedure should confirm the service and appointment arrangements before arriving. Clinic visits can also be used to address county licensing requirements when a pet needs a rabies vaccination or microchip.

County Pet Licensing

Cats and dogs older than three months and living in unincorporated Harris County must have a current rabies vaccination and Harris County pet license. Violations may result in a citation and a fine of up to $500.

The county pet licensing page provides licensing options and information about the county service area. People who live within an incorporated city should determine which animal control jurisdiction serves their address before applying through the county.

Licensing Documents

An applicant must provide:

Proof of the pet’s current rabies vaccination
Proof that the pet is microchipped
Proof of spay or neuter, when applicable
A valid ID or driver’s license

The name and address on the owner’s identification should be current. Rabies records should clearly identify the animal and show the vaccination date and duration.

License Fees

License Category	One Year	Three Years
Unaltered pet	$60	$180
Altered pet	$20	$60
Senior owner with altered pet	$2	$6

A three-year license requires a current three-year rabies vaccination. The county states that qualification for a three-year vaccination requires two rabies vaccinations within a 12-month period. The senior discount is limited to residents age 60 or older whose pets are spayed or neutered.

Licensing provides an additional form of identification that can help shelter staff return a lost pet more quickly. Licensing fees also support county animal care and control services.

Animal Surrender Appointments

Harris County Pets does not accept walk-in animal surrenders. Surrenders are by appointment only, and anyone who must surrender an animal must call the shelter for assistance.

The county reports that animal intake may be significantly limited when the shelter has a critically high dog population. Owner-surrendered animals may be subject to immediate euthanasia during periods of severe crowding. Residents should provide complete and accurate information about the pet’s health, behavior, vaccination history, and household experience so shelter staff can evaluate available options.

The official animal surrender instructions should be reviewed before calling. Surrender fees may apply. The shelter’s contact information states that there is no animal intake on Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday.

Pet owners attempting to place an animal in another home should provide truthful information to any prospective owner. A pet that is vaccinated and spayed or neutered may be easier to place. Owners should not abandon an animal or leave it outside the shelter.

Animal Control Jurisdictions

Harris County contains incorporated cities, unincorporated communities, and neighboring jurisdictions served by different animal control agencies. The correct agency usually depends on the location where an animal was found, where an incident occurred, or where the owner lives.

The local animal control agency directory lists contact numbers for Harris County, the City of Houston, nearby cities, and surrounding counties. Residents who are uncertain about their jurisdiction can use the county address lookup information referenced by the directory.

Contacting the correct agency is especially important for loose animals, bite investigations, rabies concerns, and enforcement matters. Reporting the same event to several agencies can create duplication and may delay the response.

Animal Bite Reports

Animal bites and scratches that break the skin should be reported to the local rabies authority within 24 hours. The county advises washing the affected area with soap and water, recording a description of the animal, and obtaining owner contact information when possible. Severe injuries should be evaluated by a health care provider.

A dog, cat, bat, skunk, fox, coyote, or raccoon may be relevant to a rabies investigation. When an animal can be confined without unsafe contact, animal control or veterinary officials may provide instructions for examination, observation, or testing.

The county’s online animal bite report form requests detailed information about the event. Staff members are expected to contact the reporter within 24 to 48 hours during the Monday-through-Friday workweek.

Bite Form Information

The person submitting the report should be prepared to provide:

The date, time, and address where the incident occurred
The type and location of the injury
A description of the circumstances leading to the bite
The animal’s species, name, breed, color, size, sex, and approximate age
The animal owner’s name, address, phone number, and other requested identifying information
The victim’s name, birth date, address, phone number, and treatment information
Guardian information when the victim is younger than 18
The animal’s rabies vaccination status
Whether the animal was confined or on a leash
Whether the animal has bitten before

Complete information allows the appropriate authority to identify the animal, locate its owner, evaluate vaccination records, and determine the next investigative steps.

Animal Cruelty Reports

The Harris County Animal Cruelty Taskforce provides an official online system for reporting suspected cruelty. The site is monitored daily. An immediate emergency should be reported by calling 911 rather than waiting for review of an online submission.

The animal cruelty reporting form accepts reports involving lack of food or water, untreated medical needs, lack of shelter, cruel confinement, abandonment, tethering, hoarding, animal dumping, dog fighting, cock fighting, and other suspected mistreatment.

Evidence and Incident Details

Reporters should provide the date and approximate time the situation was first observed and the date and time it was most recently observed. Dates are entered in year-month-day format, and times are entered using the 24-hour clock.

The form asks whether the condition is ongoing and whether another agency has already received a report. There is no need to contact multiple agencies about the same incident, because duplicate reporting can reduce the effectiveness of available resources.

Up to five images may be uploaded, with a combined maximum size of 20 MB. Accepted file types include JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, HEIC, and ZIP. Photographs should relate directly to the reported conditions and should not be obtained by entering private property or placing a person or animal in danger.

Community Cat Services

The Harris County Community Cat Program is a free program intended to reduce the number of free-roaming cats and kittens. Community cats live outdoors and may shelter in residential, commercial, or undeveloped areas.

The shelter participates in Shelter-Neuter-Return, commonly called SNR. Cats brought or signed over to animal control are sterilized, vaccinated, ear-tipped, and returned to their home area. The shelter does not provide trapping services or rent traps.

SNR differs from Trap-Neuter-Return. Under a TNR arrangement, a resident traps the cat, transports it to and from a participating clinic, and returns it to the original area. Harris County Pets states that its shelter participates only in SNR.

Relocating or removing community cats can leave an available habitat that other cats later occupy. Sterilization and return are intended to reduce new litters and nuisance behaviors such as fighting, spraying, and yowling.

Volunteer and Foster Programs

Harris County Pets accepts volunteers who are at least 16 years old. Volunteer opportunities support the shelter’s daily care and adoption work, and scheduling is described as flexible.

Foster homes provide temporary housing for dogs or cats that may benefit from time outside the shelter. Short-term foster opportunities may also be available. Foster participants must live in Harris, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Liberty, Montgomery, or Waller County.

Fostering and volunteering have different eligibility and household requirements. A person interested in fostering should consider whether the home can safely separate animals when needed, provide transportation, follow shelter instructions, and accommodate the animal for the agreed period.

Relevant Department

Harris County Pets, Veterinary Public Health
612 Canino Road, Houston, TX 77076
281-999-3191

Pets FAQs

Which animal control agency handles my address?

Harris County Pets primarily serves unincorporated Harris County. Residents within Houston, Baytown, Pasadena, Humble, or another incorporated city may be served by that city’s animal control department instead. Jurisdiction usually depends on where the animal was found or where the incident occurred, not where the person reporting it works or receives mail. Before reporting a loose animal, requesting enforcement, or discussing a bite investigation, use the official local animal control agency directory to identify the responsible authority.

What should I do after finding a bat indoors?

Do not release a bat when it may have touched a person or pet, or when physical contact cannot be ruled out. Keep people and animals away from it and confine it only when that can be done safely without direct handling. Contact the appropriate animal control agency for instructions about collection and rabies testing. Anyone who may have been bitten or scratched should wash the area promptly and seek medical guidance. Harris County advises reporting possible rabies exposures within 24 hours.

Can veterinarians report unusual animal disease activity?

Yes. Harris County Public Health tracks certain animal diseases even when they are not routinely reportable under state rules. Veterinarians are encouraged to report an unusual increase in uncommon, highly contagious, or zoonotic illnesses, including cases involving recently adopted animals. Examples may include canine influenza, canine distemper, leptospirosis, Brucella canis infection, and certain tick-borne diseases. The county’s animal disease prevention guidance explains reporting responsibilities and local health monitoring.

Does Harris County Pets provide traps for community cats?

No. The county shelter participates in Shelter-Neuter-Return, which applies to eligible cats entering the shelter or being transferred through animal control. Harris County Pets does not rent traps or provide trapping services. Residents considering action involving outdoor cats should first review the Community Cat Program requirements, because privately trapping and transporting cats falls under a different process.