Animal Services in Madison County

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Impoundment Facilities or Shelters in Madison County

Huntsville Animal Services (HAS) is managed by the City of Huntsville, Alabama’s largest city. HAS serves a population of 369,000, covering all of Madison County except for the City of Madison. The 2026 annual budget for HAS is $2.9 million. Madison County pays a per-animal intake fee.

John Fischer has directed HAS since Dec. 2024. Before relocating to Huntsville, Fischer led Animal Services in the city of Pearland, Texas, and worked with primates at the Houston Zoo.

• Spay/Neuter is performed on all animals prior to adoption.
• Animal Census Reports are published online.

The live release rate at Huntsville Animal Services has consistently been one of the highest in the state, reaching 98% for dogs and 96% for cats in August 2025. The overall live release rate for 2025 neared 94%, compared to 30% in the 1980s.

As of Oct. 14, 2025, Madison County residents outside Huntsville must contact Madison County Animal Control regarding stray pets or TNR. Residents of those areas may not bring animals directly to HAS.

City of Madison Animal Control Facility
400 Celtic Drive, Madison AL 35758
256-692-8364 or 256-772-5694

The City of Madison Animal Control Facility opened in July 2026. ACOs Christina Driggers and Cody Burris staff the facility. It is operated by the City of Madison Police Department, which constructed the facility at a cost of $645,000, per Hville Blast and WAFF.

At the opening, Madison City Council President Maura Wroblewski said:

We’ve got six runs in there for the dogs. We’ve got a cat room. We have a station where they can wash the animals. Should the animal come in in poor condition, we can take care of the animal. We have a great relationship with area vets that help us take care of animals that are hurt. And then eventually we either re-home the animal or probably 85% of the time the animal is returned back to the owner.

Madison Animal Rescue Foundation coordinates adoptions.

Private Shelters

Founded in 1969, Greater Huntsville Humane Society is a nonprofit organization funded in part by its thrift store, Three Tails ReSale. GHHS operates a shelter, foster program, vet clinics for low-income families, and many other services. GHHS is directed by Spencer Batcheller.

A New Leash on Life works with local shelters and residents to improve outcomes for animals. The nonprofit has its own sheltering facilities, coordinates a foster program, and assists residents with veterinary care and sterilization. They operate three thrift stores to help fund their work.

Animal Control in Madison County

Madison County Animal Control includes multiple officers who serve the entire county except areas within the city limits of Huntsville and Madison, according to the department website. Madison County requires pet licensing.

Animal Control Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:

• Gurley and Triana are served by Madison County Animal Control.
• Huntsville is served by Huntsville Animal Services. Animal issues or concerns can be reported on Huntsville Connect. Neglect or abuse can also be reported to 256-883-3782. Huntsville requires pet licensing.
• Madison is served by City of Madison Animal Control, 256-692-8364, which is part of the Madison Police Department. Animals impounded in Madison are posted online and held at City of Madison Animal Control Facility. Madison Animal Rescue Foundation coordinates adoptions. Madison requires pet licensing. Neglect or abuse can be reported through a webform.
• Owens Cross Roads is served by Owens Cross Roads Police Department. Call 256-725-5167.

Dog Confinement Requirements in Madison County

Dog Confinement Requirements Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:

• Huntsville (§ 5-44) and the City of Madison (§ 6-11) require dog confinement by ordinance.
• New Hope requires confinement by statute.
• Gurley, Owens Cross Roads, and Triana are likely to require confinement by ordinance and/or statute.

Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Madison County and Surrounding Areas

See Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Alabama for additional resources.

Cat TNR & Fostering: Forgotten Felines (Fb) is a nonprofit cat rescue in Huntsville that assists community cats through TNR (trap, neuter, return), while also operating a foster care program and offering cats nad kittens for adoption.

Madison County Documents & Resources

• Not Rocket Science: A Story of No Kill Animal Shelter Advocacy in Huntsville, Alabama by Aubrie Kavanaugh
• Huntsville Animal Services Animal Census Data
• Madison County Resolution to Adopt Alabama Code § 3-1-5
• City of Madison Public Records Request

Sources

• John Fischer, Director, Huntsville Animal Services (HAS), spoke with Aubrie Kavanaugh regarding HAS, animal control in Madison County and Huntsville, and sterilization of shelter animals.
• Karen Gardner Borden, an original member of No Kill Huntsville, in August 2026 shared information about HAS, the City of Madison, Owens Cross Roads, and other animal services.
• Madison County Commission posted their § 3-1-5 adoption resolution on the county website. While confinement law research required multiple calls or emails in many Alabama counties, not even a single phone call was necessary in Madison County since this resolution was posted.

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