Animal Services in Monroe County

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Impoundment Facilities or Shelters in Monroe County

Monroe County Animal Shelter is a nonprofit organization directed by Trisha Davis. (Monroe County still lists Sue Evans as director; Trisha said Sue left in approximately 2017.) The organization was awarded 501c3 status in 2024.

The shelter receives some funds from Monroe County and the City of Monroeville; however, not even enough to cover payroll, Trisha said. A Who Will Let the Dogs Out blog post by Megan Stewart and Cara Achterberg offered more details on funding, such as that Trisha, the only full-time employee, was paid $22,000 a year and seven part-time employees received $7.25/hr minimum wage.

• Stray Hold is 7 days.
• Spay/Neuter is performed on all animals prior to release to the adopter whenever possible. Trisha said the staff goes to great lengths to ensure that animals are sterilized prior to adoption, which can be difficult since access to spay and neuter is insufficient, as detailed below.
• Animal Census Report data is sent to Best Friends.

Trisha and the shelter staff members make the two-hour-each-way drive to bring both shelter pets and owned animals to three clinics: Safe Harbor Animal Coalition in Foley, a Mississippi clinic, and Save a Stray in Mobile. Monroe County Humane Society, a local nonprofit which supports the shelter, has subsidized the cost of sterilization so that the shelter and residents paid only $10 per dog, according to Megan and Cara. In previous years, vets were hostile to low cost SN efforts, Trisha told us, but current vets do refer residents who cannot afford sterilization to the shelter.

Trisha feels the shelter can barely make a dent and is frustrated by the low availability of spay and neuter slots and by Conecuh County’s practice of adopting out unsterilized animals without even requiring adopters to agree to have the surgery done; the puppies end up at the Monroe County shelter, she said.

Animal Control in Monroe County

Animal Control in Unincorporated Areas of Monroe County: Monroe County has no dedicated animal control. Impoundment and enforcement of animal law is the responsibility of Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Call 251-575-2963 for assistance.

Animal Control Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:

• Animal control in Monroeville is the responsibility of the Monroeville Police Department. Call 251-575-3246. City license tags, available at local vets and at Monroeville City Hall, are also required.
• In Beatrice, Excel, Frisco City, or Vredenburgh contact your Town Hall, Police Department, or call Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at 251-575-2963.

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

Dog Confinement Requirements in Monroe County

County Adoption of Alabama’s Dog Confinement Statute: Dog confinement is not required in unincorporated Monroe County because the Monroe 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 Monroeville, according to the city website).
• It is unclear whether Beatrice, Excel, Frisco City, or Vredenburgh require owners to keep their 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 Monroe County

Access to low-cost spay and neuter is challenging in Monroe County, as discussed above. You might find a program that can work for you at Low-Cost Spay/Neuter in Alabama; if not, contact Monroe County Animal Shelter for assistance.

Monroe County Documents

• Monroe 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

• Trisha Davis, director of Monroe County Animal Shelter, provided shelter and animal control information in April 2025.
• Missy, Monroe County Commission, stated on Mar. 28, 2025 that Monroe County Commission had not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5.

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