Animal Protection

Animal Protection serves the community by defending threatened animals from abuse or neglect, working closely with law enforcement to contain or help aggressive animals, assisting other agencies with wildlife such as coyotes, deer, bats and rodents, and ensuring that City ordinances related to animal welfare are followed.

Injured & Lost Pets

Animal Protection handles lost animals that need to be picked up and/or are injured.

Dangerous & Vicious Dogs

Animal Protection handles dangerous and vicious dogs in Travis County. Call 9-1-1 if a dog seems dangerous and is threatening. View the Dangerous and Vicious Dogs page to find up-to-date dangerous dogs lists and a map of locations.

Animal Bites

Call 9-1-1 if a person has been attacked, bitten or scratched by a domestic or wild animal and they need emergency care; if emergency care is not required, call 3-1-1 instead. Travis County citizens of the unincorporated areas should call 512-974-2000 for all animal protection and control issues.

All animal bites must be reported to Animal Protection. If medical attention has been received after a bite, download an Animal Bite Report and fax it to (512) 978-0617.

Owners of dogs involved in bite cases must provide a current rabies vaccination certificate to Animal Protection. If the animal is not currently vaccinated or if the vaccination status is unknown, the animal will be placed in quarantine and observed by a veterinarian.

Animals that are currently vaccinated and that were restrained at the time the bite occurred qualify for home observation.

2000-2011 Dog bite report data

2000-2015 Dog Bite Report Data Update

Forms

Wildlife

Interaction with wildlife has become more common as Austin and Travis County expands, so please follow these guidelines.

Ordinances

Animal Protection enforces City of Austin ordinances related to the selling of animals within City limits and the tethering of dogs, while also providing fencing and dog house assistance.