Animal Services in Morgan County

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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.

Impoundment Facilities or Shelters in Morgan County

Morgan County Animal Shelter is operated by Morgan County Commission. Darren Tucker serves as director of animal control and of the shelter. The Friends of Morgan County Animal Shelter Animals Facebook group posts animals available for adoption from the shelter.

Decatur Animal Services is operated by the City of Decatur for city residents and managed by Brian Lundberg.

Morgan County Humane Society, established in 2004, is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that is funded through grants and donations, with no government funding. All animals adopted through the Morgan County Humane Society are sterilized, according to Marci, a volunteer, and when litters are accepted, MCHS ensures that they receive the mama too. The organization’s website states that Morgan County Humane Society was the first no-kill organization in North Alabama. The organization also supports the community through a pet pantry and low-cost sterilization program.

Animal Control in Morgan County

Animal Control in Unincorporated Areas of Morgan County: Darren Tucker is the director of Morgan County Animal Control and Morgan County Animal Shelter and is a “super nice guy,” per Dustin Dutton, Cherokee County ACO and animal control instructor. Tucker began the post in 2017, according to a WAFF article. For assistance, call 256-773-2934.

Animal Control Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:

• Decatur is served by Decatur Animal Services, 256-341-4790.
• Hartselle, Eva, Falkville, Priceville, Somerville, and Trinity are served by Morgan County Animal Control, listed above.

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

Dog Confinement Requirements in Morgan County

County Adoption of Alabama’s Dog Confinement Statute: Dog confinement is required in Morgan County because the Morgan County Commission adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5, which requires that dogs be confined to the owner’s premises or kept in the charge of a responsible person if off-premises.

Morgan County adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5 in 1990 via Resolution, as provided by Julie Reeves, chief administrative officer of the County Commission. Other sources include a Feb. 2023 Facebook post by the SO (or jpg format) and a 2024 31 WAAY article.

Dog Confinement Requirements Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:

• Dog confinement is required by ordinance in Decatur (§ 4-2 and 4-4; also see the city website), Falkville (§ 6-76), Hartselle (§ 10-133), Priceville (according to this Priceville Park & Recreation post), and Trinity (Ord. 89-3),
• It is likely that owners are required to keep their dogs on their own premises in Somerville, though we have not confirmed whether an ordinance is in effect. There does not appear to be an animal control ordinance or any other dog-related ordinance among the Ordinances posted on the Sommerville website. Please email us if you can share information.

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

Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Morgan County

• Morgan County Humane Society operates a reduced-cost sterilization program for low-income families.
• See Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Madison County and Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Alabama for additional resources.

Morgan County Documents

• Morgan County Commission Resolution to Adopt Alabama Code § 3-1-5 (1990)
• Morgan County Commission Public Records Request Form & Procedure — If your request is denied due to the in-person requirement, see this information. Our request was fulfilled, via email, by Chief Administrative Officer Julie Reeves.

Sources

• Julie Reeves, Chief Administrative Officer, Morgan County Commission, provided the Alabama Code § 3-1-5 adoption resolution on Apr. 21, 2025.
• Dustin Dutton, Cherokee County ACO and an animal control instructor throughout the state, praised Morgan County ACO and shelter director Darren Tucker on a June 6, 2025 phone call.
• Marci, Morgan County Human Society, provided information about her organization and animal sheltering and animal control in Morgan County on Apr. 28, 2025.
• John Allison, Morgan County Archivist, provided the Public Records Request Form on Apr. 14, 2025.

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