Animal Services in Coosa County
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Impoundment Facilities or Shelters in Coosa County
Coosa County has no animal shelter or impoundment facility. Coosa County Commission is failing to fulfill the statutory mandate of Alabama Code § 3-7A-7 that “Each county within the state shall provide a suitable county pound and impounding officer.”
The volunteer-run Coosa County Animal Shelter opened on Jan. 27, 2023, and closed in late March 2023 due to insufficient funding and a high volume of animals, according to an interview with operations manager and chair Dennis Hill in the Coosa County News.
“The county is supposed to provide an animal shelter for Coosa County residents,” said Tina Lauderdale, Goodwater City Clerk. “[The City of Goodwater] donated money to start one, it did not go well. We need one. There are so many loose dogs around.”
Animal Control in Coosa County
Coosa County has no animal control services — neither in the unincorporated area nor in the municipalities of Goodwater, Kellyton, or Rockford. A sheriff’s office dispatcher said he feels that animal control is needed due to abandonment of pets in the county.
We offer this guidance to residents and advocates who need help or who would like the county and municipalities to offer animal services.
Dog Confinement Requirements in Coosa County
County Adoption of Alabama’s Dog Confinement Statute: Dog confinement is not required in unincorporated Coosa County because the Coosa County Commission has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, which would require that dogs be confined to the owner’s premises or kept in the charge of a responsible person if off-premises. There are still steps you can take to address issues or to encourage the county to require confinement.
Dog Confinement Requirements Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:
- Dog confinement is required by ordinance in Goodwater and Rockford.
- Dog confinement is not required in Kellyton.
How to Report: See How to Report an At-Large Violation.
Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Coosa County
- Discounted spay/neuter vouchers are periodically available from the Feral Dogs of Avondale Mill for Coosa County and Talladega County residents. Purchase at Mutt Cuts in Sylacauga. Check the Feral Dogs of Avondale Mill Facebook or website for details.
- Alabama Spay & Neuter, the area’s non-profit sterilization clinic, offers low prices and $10/pet transportation from Sylacauga and Heardmont Park (Shelby County) approximately once a month — call early to reserve your pet’s spot!
- Coosa Valley RC&D Pawsitive Impact grant provided sterilization assistance for Coosa County residents. The program is not currently active; Alexander City Veterinary Clinic maintains a waiting list should funds become available again.
For additional low-cost sterilization options, see Low-Cost Spay/Neuter in Alabama and Jefferson County.
Access to Information & Public Records in Coosa County
Several county and municipal officials promptly provided information, as noted below.
Coosa County Documents
Sources
- Coosa County Commission: 256-377-2420.
- Amy Gilliland, Administrator: 256-377-1350. Aubrie Kavanaugh spoke to Amy about shelters and animal control on April 25, 2025. Kristin Yarbrough spoke to Amy on Mar. 28, 2025 regarding Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Amy stated that there was no adoption during her nearly four year tenure and then transferred the call to the Sheriff’s Office.
- Sheriff Mike Howell, Coosa County Sheriff’s Office: On Mar. 31, 2025, after expressing suspicion about why I was asking and commenting, “I don’t want to be put in no report,” Sheriff Howell stated that the Commission had not adopted the law. I assured him that I was only noting a source for the information.
- Dispatcher, Coosa County Sheriff’s Office: 256-377-2211. Information is from a phone call on Oct. 21, 2025. He said that deputies unfortunately do not pickup dogs, nor does the county have any other animal services.
- Alexander City Vet Clinic: 256-234-6751. Information is from an Oct. 21, 2025, email from acvet@alexcityvet.com. The email was unsigned; presumably it was from Barbara, office manager.
Municipalities:
- Tina Lauderdale, Goodwater City Clerk, 256-839-6301 x2, tina@cityofgoodwater.com provided information on Oct. 21, 2025.
- Karen Keel, Kellyton Town Clerk, provided information on Oct. 21, 2025.
- Leslie, Rockford, 256-377-4911 x2, townclerk@rockfordal.net provided information on Oct. 21, 2025.
Do You Have a Correction, Addition, or Comment?
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