Animal Services in Henry County

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Impoundment Facilities or Shelters in Henry County

With no impoundment facility and no animal control, Henry County 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 only public impoundment facility in the county is operated by the City of Headland. Henry County Commission could meet the state requirement by opening their own facility or by contracting with the City of Headland.

The Headland Animal Shelter is operated by the City of Headland Police Department, presumably to house animals impounded in Headland only. The current facility was built by the nonprofit City of Headland Animal Rescue Mission (CHARM) and solely funded by private donations and fundraising profits, as stated on a plaque from the March 2019 dedication.

From 2010 to 2025, Headland Animal Shelter was heavily supported by CHARM volunteers who worked at the shelter 365 days a year, leading a transition from a high-kill facility to a live release rate over 90%. CHARM chose to end their association with the shelter on Oct. 1, 2025 and is currently dissolving the nonprofit corporation. Jim Geisler, former president of CHARM, stated on Facebook that they were told that the City of Headland intends for the shelter to maintain a live release rate over 90%.

CHARM volunteers Jo and Jim Geisler continue to maintain Charm Headland Lost & Found Pets, the only web presence we found for Headland animals.

Safe Haven ARK is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that has grown from a foster-based rescue into a no-kill shelter with kennels for 48 dogs, according to their website. The organization is supported in part by the Safe Haven ARK thrift store on Kirkland St. Although they do not receive support from Henry County, Safe Haven ARK intakes many of the dogs that are impounded in Henry County, according to 2024 WTVY coverage.

Animal Control in Henry County

Animal Control in Unincorporated Areas of Henry County: Henry County employs no dedicated animal control officers. Henry County Sheriff’s Office, 334-585-3131, is responsible for animal control, but reportedly declines requests for assistance from county residents. Sheriff Eric Blankenship told WTVY in 2024 that his team lacks adequate resources to handle dogs.

Animal Control Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:

• Headland Animal Control can be reached via the Headland Police Department at 334-693-2222.
• In Abbeville, animal control ended in 2024, according to a Facebook post by the former ACO. Ask for help from City Hall at 334-585-6444.
• It appears that Haleburg and Newville have no dedicated animal control. For assistance, call the police department (if none, call Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 334-585-3131) or Town Hall.

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

Dog Confinement Requirements in Henry County

County Adoption of Alabama’s Dog Confinement Statute: Dog confinement is not required in unincorporated Henry County because the Henry 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 Headland (according to WTVY; it is not posted at Ordinances).
• We found no information as to whether Abbeville, Haleburg, or Newville require owners to keep dogs on their own premises. Please email us if you can share information.

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

Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Henry County

• Arnold Veterinary Hospital in Abbeville participates in the ALVMF license plate program, which offers $10 cat sterilization or $20 dog sterilization for Medicaid recipients.
• See Low-Cost Spay/Neuter in Alabama for other options that may be available to Henry County residents.

Henry County Documents

Henry 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

• Dawn Shirley, Henry County Administrator, (334) 585-3708, spoke to Aubrie Kavanaugh about animal control and sheltering in Henry County on April 24, 2025. On a Mar. 27, 2025 with Kristin Yarbrough, Dawn advised that Henry County Commission has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5.
• Jo Bennett Geisler, of the former City of Headland Animal Rescue Mission (CHARM), shared information about CHARM, the Headland Animal Shelter, and animal control in the city and county via Facebook Messenger on Mar. 28, 2025.

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