Animal Services in Russell County

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Impoundment Facilities or Shelters in Russell County

Russell County | Phenix City Animal Shelter serves Russell County and Phenix City, according to a shelter staff member, and is likely funded and operated jointly by the county and city. Although the staff member did not know who operated the shelter, she said her paycheck is issued by Phenix City. Construction of the shelter began in or after 2007, according to a Ledger-Enquirer article.

The shelter maintains a 7-day stray hold, the staff member said. Pets are not sterilized prior to adoption; adopters sign a contract and are given a voucher. She did not know whether census data is prepared; upon checking several months later, we found data on the shelter website (click “Monthly Report”).

Although government shelters across the state and country have fostering programs to improve outcomes, the Russell County | Phenix City Animal Shelter FAQ cites liability concerns as to their reason for not allow community members to foster animals.

East Alabama Humane Society, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The shelter has a facility with dog kennels; cats are housed offsite.

Animal Control in Russell County

Animal Control in Unincorporated Areas of Russell County: Russell County Sheriff’s Office employs one full-time animal control officer who handles all animal complaints in Russell County that are out of the Phenix City city limits.

Animal Control Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:

• The Phenix City Animal Control Unit is part of the Patrol Division of the Phenix City Police Department. The city website states that the Animal Control Unit is responsible for maintaining Russell County | Phenix City Animal Shelter and enforcing applicable laws related to animals. For assistance, call 334-291-4847 or 334-448-2808. If your pet is lost, be sure to also check with Lee County facilities in case your pet was impounded there.
• Hurtsboro is served by the Russell County ACO.

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

Dog Confinement Requirements in Russell County

County Adoption of Alabama’s Dog Confinement Statute: Several Russell County officials stated that they enforce 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.

However, Alabama Code § 3-1-5 is applicable only when adopted by the County Commission, and Russell County officials found no record of adoption. Further, the county attorney inaccurately advised the Commission that the statute was automatically applicable.

Our Recommendation for those in the unincorporated area or in a municipality with unclear statutory authority is to proceed as if the statute or an ordinance is applicable, by keeping their own dogs confined or in their charge and by reporting owners who allow their dog to run loose, for the safety of people and animals alike.

Dog Confinement Requirements Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:

• Dog confinement is required by ordinance in Phenix City (§ 10-39).
• Hurtsboro does not appear to share ordinances on their websites or via Municode and we have not yet confirmed whether a running at large law is in effect. Please email us if you can share information.

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

Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Russell County

• Reduced cost sterilization and pet transportation to Alabama Animal Alliance is available to all, regardless of income or residence location. The FIXIT Waggin’ departs from Auburn and returns the day.
• SNYP Fund provides sterilization to Russell County households with an income of $45,000 or less. Apply at Animal SOS Foundation or text 706-535-5838.
• Pit Fix offers free spay and neuter of pit bull-type dogs for owners residing in Russell County. See details at Animal SOS Foundation.
• See Low-Cost Spay/Neuter in Alabama for additional resources.

Can you can provide spay/neuter information? Please email us.

Access to Information & Public Records in Russell County

Commuication by Russell County officials suggested confusion regarding Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Several sources stated that the statute was applicable in Russell County:

• The SO website’s Animal Control page states, “The ACO's ensure that laws involving the treatment and containment of animals are enforced.” (This message appeared upon our visits to the page in March and May 2025 and January 2026.)
• An Apr. 2024 WTVM article regarding a dog attack stated, “In Russell County animals are not allowed to roam around at large. They must be on a leash at all times.”
• Heidi Buhr stated on Mar. 26, 2025 that Commissioner Chance Corbett remembered that the Commission had adopted the statute at the request of Sheriff Boswell in the 1990s.

Even though officials represented the statute as applicable in the county (and applicability requires adoption), Heidi stated that Russell County officials found no record of adoption during our spring 2025 conversations. She had looked and talked to the County Administrator and others, but had not been able to locate a Resolution or other documentation about the statute, and said they would keep looking. I offered to submit a records request; Heidi said to email her one so she could put it with her other notes related to this question. On the same day, I submitted the request for the Minutes, the Sheriff’s request to the Commission (if not included in the Minutes), and the Resolution, if the statute was adopted via Resolution.

On May 5, 2025, Heidi emailed, “We are looking at passing a resolution at our June 11th meeting. I will keep you posted for sure.” In a June 6 email exchange, Heidi wrote that the vote has been moved to June 25. On June 20, Heidi provided an update that “This will not be on next week’s meeting since it is still being discussed the proper actions to take. I will keep you posted as I hear more on it.”

However, on Aug. 18, Heidi wrote: “I wanted to update you on this. Our attorney told us that the county does not have to adopt anything since it’s a state statue, so it doesn’t have to be passed through the county commission.” (I offered the second paragraph of the statute, which explains the conditional application. No response was received.)

Russell County Documents

• Russell County | Phenix City Animal Shelter Animal Census (click “Monthly Report”)
• County Commission Public Records Request Form: The Russell County Commission does not utilize a form. Submit your request according to the Open Records Act template.

Sources

• A staff member of Russell County | Phenix City Animal Shelter shared information on Apr. 29, 2025 about the shelter. She said the County and City each have one ACO who brings in animals. The staff member would not provide her name or title. She said her supervisor, Mr. Daniels, would call to provide additional information, but I did not hear from Mr. Daniels.
• Heidi Burr, Administrative Assistant, Russell County Commission, offered friendly assistance regarding Commission records.

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