Information for ACOs, Officials, and Advocates
This site aims to empower ACOs, public officials, and residents to act in the best interests of people and companion animals. Topics include:
- Legal issues in Alabama regarding companion animals: state, county, and municipal laws, and how they are enforced.
- Animal control, pounds, and shelters: county-by-county compliance and laws governing animal control and shelters.
- Animal cruelty in Alabama: what to know before you report, how to report and gather evidence, the key difference between the statutes, and the historical context of Alabama’s cruelty laws.
- Dog confinement laws: determining whether a law applies, reporting violations, which counties have adopted, and a guide for counties & municipalities.
- Best practices (including legal considerations) for helping lost, stray, or abandoned animals.
- Livestock killed or harmed by dogs: how you can and cannot defend, pursuing reimbursement for losses, preventing future harm.
- Animal hoarding information: impacts on animals, people, and communities; legal considerations; and how you can help.
- Resources for reporters and advocates: how to identify and communicate with elected & appointed officials; how to request public records; and documentation of the results of info requests throughout across the state.
- Frequently asked questions on witnessing, reporting, and pressing charges for animal-related violations.
- Social media resources to facilitate quick and easy sharing of information to help companion animals.
- Site contents: a summary of all website pages.
Contact
You are welcome to email us with suggestions, to provide information, or for guidance. If you are a reporter or author, we may be able to offer fact-checking, information that you can use in your piece, best practices, or other information. Our work is completely pro bono.