Animal Services in Marshall County

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Animal Control in Marshall Co.

Alabama requires local governments to pick up and impound loose dogs. Animal Control Officers (ACOs) also respond to reports related to dogs and cats.

“[Marshall Co. Animal Control’s] work includes reports of dog bites, animal cruelty, loose animals, livestock complaints, welfare checks and investigations that can lead to arrests when needed,” according to Austin Pylant of FOX54. The Animal Enforcement Department of Marshall County Sheriff’s Office launched in February 2026, per Mary Bailey in the Sand Mountain Reporter.

Marshall Co. Animal Services At-a-Glance

Report animal concerns or violations according to the location, as noted below. For more information about animal control and enforcement of animal laws, or if your concern is not being addressed, see this guidance.

Huntsville: See Madison Co.
[Add’l Notes: County population figure includes municipalities. Arab is partly in Cullman Co. Boaz is partly in Etowah Co.]

Dog Confinement is Required in Marshall Co.

The applicable law is indicated in the right column of the table above. See Dog Confinement Laws for details.

• Tags required everywhere. All dogs in Alabama must wear a current rabies tag, per § 3-7A.
• Dog confinement is required when § 3-1-5 and/or a municipal ordinance prohibits running-at-large (RAL).

How to get help:

• Report a loose dog or a RAL violation by following the reporting instructions provided in the table above.
• If you choose to assist a lost, stray, or abandoned pet, be aware of your rights and responsibilities.
• If your pet is lost, see these tips.
• Ask your Commission or Council to adopt or enact a confinement law.

Marshall Co. Commission adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5 in 2008 via Resolution.

Impoundment Facilities or Shelters

If your pet is lost, remember to check with not only your local shelter or impoundment facility, but also those in neighboring cities and counties.

Marshall County Animal Control is operated by the Marshall County Commission and directed by Jamika Ibsen. All animals are sterilized prior to adoption, according to Ashleigh Bubbett. The facility’s Animal Census reports are linked below.

Marshall County’s animal shelter SOP includes a provision that any animal not placed in 60 days will be destroyed. The policy was adopted in March 2023 after months of offsite dog boarding — unchecked spending that cost the county over $110,000 in a 16-month period. Local residents asked that the policy be make conditional, but only District 2 Commissioner Rick Watson supported the changes; thus, the policy remains in place.

A nonprofit no-kill shelter for dogs, 2nd Chance is the location being used by the City of Albertville to board dogs for the property hold period, and to offer adoptions of unclaimed and surrendered dogs. Since 2nd Chance does not accept cats, if the city impounds a cat, they seek a placement by the end of the day.

The City of Arab Animal Shelter is not currently open to the public due to storm damage that rendered the building unsafe, though ACO Hunter Whisenant is at the shelter Monday through Friday. The city plans to bulldoze the old structure and build a new facility on the same foundation.

A new $340,000 shelter was approved at the May 19, 2026 city council meeting. “Construction is expected to begin in July,” Will Eldridge reported for WAFF, “and the project should take about six weeks. Marshall County Animal Shelter has offered to temporarily house any dogs during construction.”

Adoption events are posted on the Arab Police Department Facebook page.

Low-Cost Spay & Neuter and Other Assistance in Marshall Co.

• With the MCAA Voucher, a dog or cat spay or neuter, rabies vaccination, and microchip costs just $10. Available to Marshall County residents who receive government assistance or whose annual income is less than $37,600. Review the details and apply at Marshall County Animal Advocates.
• Albertville Animal Hospital participates in the ALVMF license plate program. The co-pay is $10 per cat or $20 per dog, plus an average of $40–100 due if the vet deems your pet to be in need of vaccines or parasite treatments.
• For additional sterilization options and resources, see Low-Cost Spay/Neuter in Alabama.
• If you can bring your pet to another county for their surgery, see Animal Services in Madison County or Animal Services in Jefferson County.
• Arab Police Department administers a Paw it Forward fund to help those who cannot afford a run line or dog house.

Dog Bites & Attacks in Marshall Co.

To have knowledge of a bite or scratch and fail to report it is a crime (§ 3-7A-9). First seek medical attention; then report as soon as possible to:

• Marshall Co. Health Department at 205-664-2470.
• Law Enforcement: Shelby Co. Sheriff’s Office at 205-670-6000, or your local police department.

See Dog Bites & Attacks for more information on reporting, quarantine, criminal charging, and legal implications.

The Rabies Officer for Marshall County is Dr. Chuck Young at the Guntersville Animal Hospital. His role is reportedly limited to coordination of rabies clinics.

Sources & Documents

Marshall Co. Documents:

• Marshall County Animal Shelter Census Reports & SOP
• Marshall County Commission Public Records Request Form (also accessible from Commission website: lower left column under “Public Forms”) — if your request is denied on the basis of the in-person requirement, see this information and the notes for Ashleigh Bubbett below.
• Albertville Public Records Request Form

Marshall Co. Sources:

• Sept. 15, 2026: Kristin Yarbrough left a voicemail for Ashleigh Bubbett, Marshall County Administrator, requesting the Dec. 2025 Census Report which seemed to have been inadvertently skipped. Ashleigh provided the Alabama Code § 3-1-5 adoption resolution on Apr. 21, 2025 in response to a March request which was initially denied on the basis of an in-person policy; it is also posted at Marshall County Animal Control. Ashley provided information about Marshall County animal services to Aubrie Kavanaugh in 2025.
• Sept. 15, 2026: Cherokee Copeland was filling in while shelter staff were at training and did not have access to the Dec. 2025 Census Report data.
• Sept. 14, 2026: After a phone call went to voicemail, Kristin emailed and messaged Marshall County Animal Shelter to request the December 2025 Census Report (the only 2025 report which has not yet been posted).
• Feb. 2026: Justin Thompson of Jackson County Health Department, provided dog bite reporting information to Aubrie Kavanaugh in Feb. 2026. Thompson said bite reports are referred to Lyn Sisco in the Environmental Division of the Jackson County Health Department.
• Apr. 2025: Rhonda McCoy, Assistant to the Marshall County Commission Chairman, 256-571-7701 x3, initially refused a public records request; the request was fulfilled upon our challenge.
• Mar. 28, 2025: Kevin Hooks, then-Marshall County ACO, did not return voicemails left on Mar. 26 and Mar. 28, 2025 regarding Alabama Code § 3-1-5.
• Feb. 6, 2025: Christy Kelley, Marshall County Personnel Administrator, stated on Feb. 6, 2026 that the County ACO position had not yet been filled.

Municipal Sources:

• June 2026: Dawn Smith, Albertville Town Clerk, 256-891-8200, dawnsmith@cityofalbertville.com, has been in touch multiple times between June 2025 and June 2026 with friendly updates about Albertville’s recodification project, which wrapped in June 2026 with publication of ordinances, and also regarding animal control.
• Oct. 23, 2025: Chief of Police Shane Washburn, Arab Police Department, spoke to Aubrie Kavanaugh on Oct. 23, 2025, regarding enforcement of animal ordinances and statutes. Information from this conversation is included at Enforcement Authority.
• Oct. 1, 2025: Beverly, Grant Town Hall, 256-728-2007, said on an Oct. 1, 2025 phone call that impoundment is handled by maintenance department personnel during business hours and police if after hours. Animals are held for a minimum of seven days at two kennels in the town’s maintenance shop, and notification is posted on the town website and on Facebook. If not reclaimed, pets are transferred to another location (possibly Guntersville Animal Hospital, as stated on the town website; Beverly wasn’t sure) to be offered for adoption.
• July 10, 2025: Laurie Sampson, Douglas Town Clerk, said on July 10, 2025 that the town has no animal control ordinance or dog-related ordinance. On an attempt to locate animal control information, we found none on the town website. Animal Control and impoundment are likely provided through the county. Confirm with Marshall County Sheriff’s Office at 256-582-2034 or call Town Hall to ask, 256-593-9531.
• Feb. 9, 2025: Assistant Chief John Amos, Albertville Police Department, updated us on Feb. 9, 2026 about the new Albertville ACO and Cooper Hughes’ expected return.

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