Animal Services in Dale County

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Impoundment Facilities or Shelters in Dale County

The Ozark Animal Shelter is the public shelter for the City of Ozark and also for Dale County, through a contract with the county.

• Stray Hold is 7 days.
• Spay/Neuter is not performed on all animals prior to release to the adopter.
• Animal Census Reports are prepared monthly and may be requested from Captain Glenn Peters.

City of Ozark Animal Shelter is managed by Captain Glenn Peters of the City of Ozark Police Department and by Shelter Supervisor Brittani Cook.

The nonprofit ODCHS was formed in 2004 when Dale County closed their shelter and began contracting with the City of Ozark. Dale County Commission leased the vacated shelter facility to ODCHS.

Animal Control in Dale County

Animal Control in Unincorporated Areas of Dale County: Dale County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for animal control in Dale County. Call 334-774-2335.

Animal Control Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:

• Daleville Animal Control was initiated in April 2025 as part of the Daleville Department of Public Safety. Call 334-598-4442. Jacklynn Lambert of WTVY reported that impounded dogs are held in city kennels.
• To report a lost pet, neglect, or other animal concern in Dothan, call the Communications Center at 334-793-0215. Also see Animal Services in Houston County.
• For help in Enterprise, see Animal Services in Coffee County.
• In Ozark, call central dispatch at 334-774-5111.
• For assistance in Level Plains or the towns of Ariton, Clayhatchee, Grimes, Midland City, Napier Field, Newton, or Pinckard, contact Dale County Sheriff’s Office.

If your ACO is unable to help or if your area has no animal services, see this guidance.

Dog Confinement Requirements in Dale County

County Adoption of Alabama’s Dog Confinement Statute: Dog confinement is not required in unincorporated Dale County because the Dale 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 Daleville (§ 8-22), Dothan (§ 10-8), Enterprise (§ 5-22), and Ozark (§ 4-44).
• There may be no requirement in Level Plains, Ariton, Clayhatchee, Grimes, Midland City, Napier Field, Newton, or Pinckard. Please email us if you can share information.

How to Report: See How to Report an At-Large Violation.

Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Dale County

• The nonprofit Wiregrass Spay/Neuter Alliance in Dothan is the best source low-cost spay and neuter services we are aware of near Dale County, Alabama. Skip the drive by utilizing Blooper Animal Rescue & Transport for pet transportation to Wiregrass Spay/Neuter Alliance from Enterprise, Andalusia, and Opp. Dates and registration details are posted on the Blooper website and Facebook page.
• See Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Houston County and Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Alabama for other options and assistance.

Dale County Documents

• County Commission Public Records Request Form: The County Commission does not appear to have a Public Records Request form on their website. Call the Commission to request a form or submit according to the Open Records Act template.

Sources

• Captain Glenn Peters, City of Ozark Police Department, 334-400-4267, shelter@ozarkal.gov, spoke with Aubrie Kavanaugh about the shelter and animal control on May 1, 2025.
• Robin Mitchell, Dale County Commission clerk, consulted with Steve McKinnon, Commission Chairman, to confirm that the County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5. She provided this information on a call with Kristin Yarbrough on Apr. 1, 2025.

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