Animal Services in Tallapoosa County

We welcome your updates, additions, corrections, or comments: please email us. Information that you provide can be attributed to you or kept anonymous, as you prefer.

Impoundment Facilities or Shelters in Tallapoosa County

With no impoundment facility and no animal control, Tallapoosa County 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.”

Tallapoosa County does provide some financial support to Lake Martin Animal Shelter, though there is no formal arrangement, according to Embirly Collum, Tallapoosa County Administrator, in an April 2025 conversation. The Tallapoosa County Commission has been “trying to do something” to improve the animal services situation since 2023, Embirly said, including budgeting for animal control and moving toward adoption of Alabama Code § 3-1-5. Embirly reiterated that the topic of animal services continued to be on the Commission agenda.

However, when asked on Mar. 30, 2026 if there was any update on animal services or adoption of the statute, Embirly said nothing would be considered until after the November 3, 2026 election.

Lake Martin Animal Shelter is the contracted impoundment facility for Alexander City. The shelter has no arrangement with Tallapoosa County, and accepts animals from Tallapoosa County when space allows, according to Kim of Lake Martin Animal Shelter.

Although Lake Martin Animal Shelter does not appear in Alabama Secretary of State records under that name, Kim said that the organization is definitely a registered nonprofit that can receive donations.

Animal Control in Tallapoosa County

Animal Control in Unincorporated Areas of Tallapoosa County: In addition to having neither a shelter nor a sheltering contract, Tallapoosa County has no animal control. The need for animal services has been on the Commission agenda for many years with no progress to note, as discussed above. Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for animal control and enforcement of animal laws. Call 256-825-4264 for assistance.

Animal Control Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:

• Alexander City Animal Control is a division of the Police Department. Call 256-234-3421. Alexander City Animal Ordinances include a prohibition of single-point chaining or tethering and a minimum enclosure space.
• Dadeville has no dedicated animal control. Call the Dadeville Police Department at 256-825-6212.
• Tallassee Animal Control handled by the Police Department. Impounded animals are held in Tallassee kennels for a 10-day hold, according to the city website, and may then be transferred to Humane Society of Elmore County.
• For assistance in Camp Hill, Daviston, Goldville, Jackson’s Gap, or New Site, call the police department, town hall, or Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Office at 256-825-4264.

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

Dog Confinement Requirements in Tallapoosa County

County Adoption of Alabama’s Dog Confinement Statute: Dog confinement is not required in unincorporated Tallapoosa County because the Tallapoosa 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.

The lack of a dog confinement requirement for the unincorporated area of Tallapoosa County has been a long-standing point of contention, according to Lt. Arrington of the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Office and reporting in the Montgomery Advertiser and the Alex City Outlook, and many residents report having asked the Commission to adopt the statute.

Commissioners recognized the importance of adoption of Alabama Code § 3-1-5, said Embirly Collum, Tallapoosa County Administrator, in April 2025. The intention to adopt is central to their efforts to improve animal services, she said; however, that intention is countered by Commissioners’ beliefs that (a) most residents oppose adoption and (b) increased funding would then be necessary for the shelter and to establish animal control. (Actually, the statute can be enforced without animal control and actually reduces impoundment numbers.) She provided then-County Administrator Blake Beck’s email address, to which we sent the Guide for Counties & Municipalities. When we checked in a year later, no progress had been made and Embirly said nothing would be considered until after the November election, as noted above.

Dog Confinement Requirements Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:

• Dog confinement is required by ordinance in Alexander City (§ 10-27), Dadeville (Ordinance 515 § 3), Tallassee (see website).
• It is unclear whether Camp Hill, Daviston, Goldville, Jackson’s Gap, or New Site require that owners keep 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 Tallapoosa County

• Alabama Spay & Neuter, the area’s non-profit sterilization clinic, offers low prices and $10/pet transportation from Alex City approximately once a month — call early to reserve your pet’s spot!
• See Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Alabama for additional resources.

Tallapoosa County Documents

• Tallapoosa 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

• Embirly Collum, Tallapoosa County Administrator and former Chief Probate Clerk, Tallapoosa County Commission, 256-825-4268, shared information about animal services in Tallapoosa County on Apr. 29 and Sept. 19, 2025 and on Mar. 30, 2026.
• Kim, Lake Martin Animal Shelter, spoke about the shelter and animal control in the city and county in May 2025 and again on Mar. 30, 2026.
• Lt. Arrington, Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Office, stated on Mar. 25, 2025 that the Tallapoosa County Commission had 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.