Animal Services in Randolph County
Updated Oct. 21, 2026
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Animal Control in Randolph 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.
Although ACOs may investigate cruelty or address municipal code violations, most Alabama ACOs are civilians who do not have law enforcement authority. The sheriff’s office and local PDs are responsible for the enforcement of cruelty laws.
Randolph Co. Does Not Provide Animal Control
Randolph Co. employs no animal control officer and provides no pickup of loose dogs. As such, Randolph Co. 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.” Residents who would like to ask the county to fulfill their mandate may see this guidance.
Randolph County Sheriff’s Office256-357-4545
Animal concerns in the unincorporated area of the county and cities under 5,000 population are the responsibility of Randolph Co. Commission, 256-357-4980, while enforcement of animal law is the responsibility of police departments and Randolph Co. Sheriff’s Office.
Wedowee News: Dog Attacks, Ordinance, Cruelty
The Town of Wedowee enacted an animal control ordinance on Apr. 2, 2024, nearly a year after a serious attack on two DHR employees while they were walking during their lunch break in April 2023. The 18-page ordinance was presented to the Council by Police Chief Robert Taylor, Mike McCormick reported in the Randolph Leader.
In addition to the restraint requirements, the ordinance includes a procedure for the investigation of dogs believed to be vicious, and addresses hoarding, dog fighting, and standards of care, McCormick wrote.
Wedowee Police Chief Robert Taylor was indicted on Sept. 11, 2026 on one count of aggravated cruelty to animals for fatally shooting loose dogs, as reported by 1819 News, the Randolph Leader, and Paul Mueller.
County resident Stephanie Herren had brought the matter to the attention of the Wedowee Town Council on July 22 after receiving an anonymous letter stating that Chief Taylor “secretly sets traps out to catch them, then he shoots them.”
Taylor denied the claim, stating that he does trap dogs but has shot only when the dog was aggressive. “We’ve never had a problem with the animal shelter taking any animals,” Taylor said of RCAS.
Residents Ask Officials to Comply with State Law
Local advocate Tonya Bradley said that residents “have gone to the county with all kinds of ideas” for years, without any action being taken.
Tammy Gilpin, director of Angel’s Cabin of Cats, added that Michelle Wagner met with Roanoke Mayor Adam Melton and Police Chief Sammarintino Billingslea to discuss ways to fulfill the state-mandated Stray Hold.
Randolph Co. Animal Services At-a-Glance
Report animal concerns 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.
| Pop. | Jurisdiction | Pound | ACO | RAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23,163 | Randolph Co. | None | None | § 3-7A |
| See Animal Control regarding animal concerns in unincorporated Randolph Co. — including the communities of Almond, Ava, Bacon Level, Corinth, Dingler, Folsom, Graham, Hobson, Liberty Grove, Louina, Morrison Crossroads, Newell, Omaha, Potash, Rock Mills, and Swagg. | ||||
| 5,311 | Roanoke | None | None? | 705 |
| Report animal concerns in Roanoke to the PD at 334-863-2121 or City Hall at 334-863-4129. Ordinance 705 requires confinement of female dogs while in heat and prohibits all RAL on school grounds. | ||||
| 659 | Wadley | None | None | ? |
| See Animal Control regarding animal concerns in Wadley. | ||||
| 737 | Wedowee | RCAS(?) | PD | Ordinance |
| Report animal concerns in Wedowee to the PD at 256- 357-2121. If you are not offered assistance, please let us know. Dog confinement is required in Wedowee. | ||||
| 221 | Woodland | None | None | ? |
| See Animal Control regarding animal concerns in Woodland. | ||||
[County population figure includes municipalities.]
Is Dog Confinement Required in Randolph 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 by § 3-1-5 and municipal ordinances prohibiting 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 require dog confinement.
Impoundment Facilities & Shelters
If your pet is lost, remember to check not only the local shelter or impoundment facility, but also those in neighboring cities and counties.
Founded in 2007, Randolph County Animal Shelter is a nonprofit that receives government funding from Randolph County and the City of Wedowee. April Smith serves as Director of Operations.
Randolph Co. Animal Shelter104 Animal Shelter Rd, Wedowee, AL 36278
(For driving directions, see the shelter website.)
256-357-0101
randolphanimal@centurytel.net
Website, Facebook
Government funding provided to RCAS:
- Randolph Co. allocates 10% of the county tobacco tax to RCAS, currently about $40,000/year per Tim Altork in the Randolph Leader, “to be used for small animal control on a countywide basis.”
- The City of Wedowee pays RCAS $4,000 per year as compensation for contracted impoundment services, according to Mayor Tim Herren, as reported by Tim Altork in the Randolph Leader on July 22, 2026.
This is a reduction in government funding from previous years, Altork wrote:
- The Randolph Co. Commission had also paid $10,800/year to RCAS; however, on Oct. 13, 2026, Commissioners “removed the shelter from consideration for the funds,” Altork reported, because “RCAS would not take animals that were unvaccinated for rabies, that were deemed dangerous or that were in violation of the new Beau’s Law.”
- The City of Roanoke had supplied RCAS with a $10,000/year donation, but ended payments in 2023 when “Roanoke strays were repeatedly turned away at RCAS.” Roanoke has attempted other arrangements, per Altork, but has not found a solution.
Tobacco Tax Allocated to RCAS
A portion of tobacco tax revenues received by Randolph Co. are allocated to Randolph County Animal Shelter by Alabama Code § 34-56-243.05(a):
Ten percent shall be distributed to the Randolph County Animal Shelter to be used for small animal control on a countywide basis.
“[The allocation] should amount to around $40,000 over the next 12 months,” Tim Altork reported in the Randolph Leader on Oct. 14, 2026.
The allocation to the shelter was added by a 2010 amendment sponsored by Sen. Kim Benefield.
Neighboring Clay Co. and Chambers Co. are the only other Alabama counties with shelter funding allocated from tobacco taxes, to our knowledge.
Randolph Co. Animal Census
We requested Animal Census Reports from RCAS on Oct. 17, 2026.
| RANDOLPH CO. | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Intake | 141 | 122 | 117 |
| Stray Intake | 79 | 64 | 38 |
| Owner Surrender | 61 | 58 | 79 |
| Other Intake | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total Outcomes | 140 | 122 | 123 |
| Live Outcomes | 125 | 101 | 104 |
| Adoptions | 118 | 90 | 96 |
| Reclaim by Owner | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Rescue | 3 | 10 | 7 |
| Fatal Outcomes | 15 | 21 | 19 |
| Euthanasia | 15 | 16 | 10 |
| Died/Lost | 0 | 5 | 9 |
| Missing Outcomes | — | — | — |
| Adj. Total Outcomes | — | — | — |
| Live Release Rate | 89.3% | 82.8% | 84.6% |
Source: RCAS Census Reports for 2024, 2025, 2026.
Live Release Rate (LRR) = Live Outcomes ÷ Total Outcomes.
A substantial difference between Intake and Outcome totals suggests flawed or missing data and is indicated in Missing Outcomes, Adj. Total Outcomes, and in the LRR — pending accounting from the shelter.
Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Randolph Co.
- Pet transportation is available from Clay County to Alabama Spay Neuter in Irondale. Financial assistance is also available.
- See Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Alabama and Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Calhoun County for additional resources.
Can you can provide spay/neuter information? Please email us.
Dog Bites & Attacks in Randolph 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:
- Randolph Co. Health Department at 334-863-8981, and
- Law Enforcement: Randolph Co. Sheriff’s Office at 256-357-4545, or your police department.
See Dog Bites & Attacks for more information on reporting, quarantine, criminal charging, and legal implications.
Documents & Sources
Documents
- Randolph County Commission Public Records Request Form — If your request is denied on the basis of the in-person requirement stated on the form, see this information.
Sources
Randolph County Animal Shelter:
- Oct. 20, 2026: We requested Census Reports from RCAS via on Oct. 17, 2026, and also invited April and the staff to let us know of any corrections or additions to this page. We received Census Reports on Oct. 20.
- Apr. 25, 2025: April Smith, Director of Operations, stated via email on Apr. 25, 2025 that the county has no animal control.
Randolph County:
- Apr. 29, 2025: Vanessa Burnside, Secretary, Randoph County Commission, 256-357-4980 x3, provided shelter information and confirmed that the county had no animal control on Apr. 29, 2025. Vanessa said that RCAS contracts with the county, with compensation provided through “a consistent amount each month plus a percentage of the tobacco tax.”
- Mar. 25, 2025: David Brooks, Clerk, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, said on a Mar. 25, 2025 phone call that Randolph County has not adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5.
Do You Have a Correction, Addition, or Comment?
Please see the note at the top of this page.