River Oaks Animal Control FAQ's

ANIMAL CONTROL DIVISION

Frequently Asked Questions about Animal Control

Q: My pet is missing. What should I do?

A: The City of River Oaks contracts with Town and Country Animal Clinic to provide shelter services for impounded and injured animals. Town and Country Animal Clinic is located at 913A Roberts Cut-Off Road at Meandering Rd., River Oaks, TX 76114. Phone number: 817-377-3981. Their hours of operation are: Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. They are closed on Sunday. If your pet is missing you should call either the River Oaks Police Department at 817-626-1991, or contact the shelter at the above number to see if your pet might have been impounded or picked up. If you would like to give your contact information and a description of your missing and/or found pet, please call the Police Department.

Q: Does my pet have to wear his/hers Tags All the Times?

A: Yes, If your pet gets out this is the easiest way for you to be notified. Additionally, River Oaks City Ordinance No. 537, Sec 3-7, (2) states "The owner of a dog/cat shall attach the metal tag to a collar or harness that is worn at all times by the animal."

Q: My pet was picked up by Animal Control. What do I do now?

A: You will need to come to the River Oaks Police Department at 4900 River Oaks Blvd. and pay the required fee(s) to obtain a release for your pet.
The fees are: $35.00 impound fee plus $5.00 per day that the animal is confined up to a maximum of $50.00. You must also show proof of a current rabies vaccination and city license. If your pet has not been vaccinated within the last twelve (12) months and/or does not have a current city license, you will be required to get these prior to paying the required fee(s) and picking your pet up. Additionally, if your pet has not been vaccinated and/or does not have a City license, you may also be issued a citation.

Q: How long will you hold my pet?

A: The City of River Oaks holds impounded animals for three (3) days ONLY. If they are unclaimed after that time they become the property of Town and Country Animal Clinic and they will decide the animals disposition.

Q: What about cats? Do they get picked up like dogs?

A: River Oaks Animal Control DOES NOT pick up cats as a general rule. The exceptions are: if the cat is sick, injured or has bitten someone then we will pick it up.

Q: But, I have so many stray cats in my area, why doesn't Animal Control pick them up?

A: The City of River Oaks does not have their own animal shelter and therefore contracts with an outside agency to house ALL animals picked up. The City of River Oaks must pay PER animal impounded.

Q: If I feed the stray cats in my neighborhood, can I get a citation for anything?

A: Yes, even if you don't "own" the cats and you are feeding them you are technically Harboring or Owning them. If the cats have not been vaccinated and/or licensed and you are feeding them you can receive a citation for each cat witnessed on the property for failure to vaccinate and/or license without proof of such vaccination or licensing. Owner and Harboring are defined as:.
Owner means any person, firm, corporation, association, partnership, or trust who has a property right or interest in an animal or who harbors an animal or who allows an animal to remain on a premise for a period of 72 hours or more.
Harboring means the act of keeping and caring for an animal or providing a premise to which the animal returns for food, shelter, or care for a period of 72 hours.
For more information about feral or stray cats please go to: http://www.feralfriends.org/feral_faq.php

Q: I was bitten by an animal (or my pet bit someone). What should I do?

A: Call the River Oaks Police Department at 817-626-1991 to file a report. By State Law, ALL animal bites must be reported, and failure to report a bite could result in a citation being issued. All animals involved in a bite incident with a human MUST be quarantined or have the brain submitted to the Texas Department of Health laboratory in Austin for a rabies examination. We recommend that if you are involved in a bite incident, no matter how minor it may appear, that you contact your health care provider to determine what actions should be taken, then contact us within twenty-four (24) hours to file a report.

Q: I'm having a problem with "wild" animals. What can I do?

A: River Oaks Animal Control has live traps available for citizens to use if they are having problems with squirrels, possums, etc. We will also lend traps to citizens if they are having a problem with feral felines (cats). Contact the Police Department at 817-626-1991 for more information.

Q: How many animals or pets can I have?

A: Please check out City Ordinance #537, Animals and Fowl. This is the primary Animal Control Ordinance for River Oaks and will answer any questions you might have.

Q: Under what circumstances will Animal Control issue someone a citation?

A: Again, City Ordinance #537, Animals and Fowl contains this information. Briefly, Animal Control will issue citations for "Dog at Large", "No Rabies Vaccination", "No City License", "Too Many Animals Housed on Property", "Livestock Violations", "Noisy Animals", etc.

Q: What about the Low-Cost rabies vaccination that I see occasionally at the Fire Department?

A: River Oaks Animal Control is not associated with these vaccination clinics that are held periodically at the Fire Department. They are done by private veterinarians. We will soon be posting a calendar of these clinics.

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