Animal Services

City of Odessa Animal Control VehicleMission Statement

Odessa Animal Services is comprised of two divisions, the Animal Shelter and Field Operations. Field Operations  strives to re-engage residents across our community to improve animal welfare and quality of life for both human and animals. The Shelter is dedicated to maintaining the health of its facility residents as well as providing an adoption opportunity for a loving family member or to locate a cherished lost one.

Field Operations Division

Odessa Animal Field Operations is a Division of Odessa Animal Services. We provide various animal related services to the public. These services include:

  • Animal bite investigation/prevention
  • Animal cruelty investigation
  • Wildlife issues within the city limits
  • Humane trap setting and trap education 
  • Zoonotic disease control and education
  • Animal husbandry education
  • Microchip identification services
  • For rodent issues call pest control
  • Enforcement of city ordinances reference to animal violations
  • Other animal related issues

To contact the Field Operations call 432-335-5744


If you live in the county, contact the Ector County Sheriff’s Office at 432-335-3050

Animal Shelter Division

The Odessa Animal Shelter is a temporary shelter for strays, lost, found, and quarantined dogs and cats. Our service includes: 

  • Animal adoption
  • Caring for stray and unwanted animals
  • Education on responsible pet ownership
  • Zoonotic disease prevention

The Odessa Animal Shelter and the Odessa Animal Control both work independently of each other, but are in the same division. 

New Building Progress

The Odessa Shelter was open April 11th, 2023.  Animals that are stray, abandoned, and quarantined are housed in a state of the art facility. Citizens can adopt or reclaim their special family member and purchase microchips and vaccinations.  

New Animal Shelter Opens in new window

Adoptions/Reclaim or Lost Animals

If you want to adopt, reclaim, or look for a lost animal, view the links on this page.  Bring a valid Driver’s License or ID card to the Shelter if you find your furry friend.  

If you have a lost animal, send your photos to oaclostfound@odessa-tx.gov along with your name, address and phone number. For questions regarding the Animal Shelter and its processes, call 432 368 3527.

Emergency & Non-Emergency

For emergencies, call 911, for Animal Control Officers. Animal emergencies Include:

  • Animal Attacks
  • Vicious Animals
  • Animal Bites
  • Injured Animals
For non-emergency animal issues call 335-5744 for Animal Control Officers within the city limits. To report animal related issues in the county, contact the Ector County Sheriff’s Office at 432-335-3050

Animal Non-Emergencies Include:

  • Stray Animals
  • Dead Animals

Scar dogVeterinarian Inspection & State Inspection

As mandated by the Texas Health and Safety Code 823, a veterinarian annually inspects the Odessa Animal Shelter. The last inspection was completed by Dr. Kenneth Waldrup DVM in February 2023. The Odessa Animal Shelter has passed every inspection.

Per Texas Health and Safety Code 826, a Texas Administrative Code, Rabies Control and Education Section 169.26, the Department of State Health Services will annually inspect the Animal Shelter facility. The Odessa Police Department Animal Shelter has passed every inspection.

Operations

As in City Ordinance 2-4-5; animals are held for 3 days.  After that, the animals's disposition may be determined by the space available at the shelter.
If the animal is injured, diseased, sick, or aggressive, the holding period may be waived.

Euthanization - State Procedures

As per the State Health and Safety Code 821.052 and 821.053 and the Texas Administration Code Title 25 Part 1 Chapter 169.84, animals are euthanized by injection only.

Approved Fosters

Fosters must be part of an organized 501 (c)(3) rescue group, complete an application at the shelter, provide a copy of their Driver's License or state issued identification and allow an Animal Control officer to inspect the premises where the animal(s) will be sheltered. The application must be approved by the Shelter Director (City ordinance Chapter 2 Article 2-3-4)

For information on availability, please stop by the shelter. If you are looking for your stray or lost pet, you will need to go to the Animal Shelter, 910 W. 42nd St.

Donate Button Green Opens in new windowHelp pets in our community with your gift.

Your gift to Odessa Animal Shelter saves animals. When you give, you provide improved medical care and quality of life to the animals in our care, and you help keep loved pets with their families and out of the shelter. Click the donate button to send your donations.

*We are having technical issues with the donate button. If you right click the image and select open link in new tab you will be able to navigate to the donation page. You can also copy and paste this URL into you browser:

https://checkout.shelterluv.com/donate/OAS?source=iframe&animal_id=70087037
We are working to remedy this issue.


FAQs - Animal services

1.Who do I call if I want to report an animal attack / bite / vicious animal?

Call the Odessa Police Dispatch at 911.

2.Who do I call if I want to report a stray, dead, or barking dog issue during or after regular business hours?

Who do I call if I want to report stray or dead dog during business hours:  you can contact 432-335-5744 (the non-emergency number).   

To report a barking dog as a nuisance after business hours: you can contact Odessa Police Dept 432-333-3641 opt 8 (non-emergency number)


3.Where can I find an updated copy of the Odessa City Ordinance?

You may access this information on the Codes and Ordinances page.

4.How can I get rid of stray / unwanted cats at my house?

You have two options:

  1. Contact 432 335 5744 and report the issue. Feral cats are all over Odessa and these are low priority calls and traps may not be available.
  2. You can purchase your own trap and you will have to monitor it. If you catch a feral cat, you can take it to the Shelter during business hours 10am - 4pm Tuesday – Saturday. Traps cannot be set in inclement weather or during weekends or holidays.
5.How many dogs / cats can I legally keep at my residence?

According to Article 2-3 Dogs and Cats (Section 2-3-1 Maximum Number), "It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, possess, or maintain dogs and/or cats in a total number exceeding 4 per premises," i.e. 2 dogs 2 cats, 1 cat 3 dogs, etc.

6.How often does my dog / cat / ferret need to receive the rabies vaccine?

According to Article 2-3 Dogs and Cats (Section 2-3-3), "The owner of each dog or cat four months of age or older shall obtain an annual vaccination-license certificate."

7.Will an Animal Control Officer come out and inspect my home / property to ensure my pets are within City ordinance?

Yes. Contact 432 335 5744 (non-emergency number) and an officer will gladly come out and assist/inform you.

8.If I live in the county (red or white street signs) and have an animal issue, who do I contact?

If you live in the county, you need to contact the Ector County Sheriff’s Office at 432-335-3050.

9.If I want to report an animal related issue, can I stay anonymous?

Yes you can, but, we would rather you include our name and phone number so we may contact you if more information is needed. We never divulge your information.

10.If Animal Control picks up a stray animal and I want it, how can I adopt it?

If you choose to adopt an animal that has been picked up as a stray, you may go to the Animal Control Shelter located at 910 W 42nd Street and ask the staff for further information concerning adoptions or call 432-368-3527 to inquire.

Pets Available for Adoption

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Stray Pets