Animal Services in Tuscaloosa County

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Impoundment Facilities or Shelters in Tuscaloosa County

Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that opened its doors in July 1994, according to the TMAS website. Funding is provided by the City of Tuscaloosa, the City of Northport, and Tuscaloosa County Commission, along with donations, redemption fees, and adoption fees. TMAS intakes animals from animal control and citizens.

Stray Hold is 7 days, according to the Lost Pets page. Animal Census Reports do not appear to be posted publicly; request from the shelter or from the City of Tuscaloosa.

Humane Society of West Alabama is a 501c3, no kill, 100% volunteer-run organization with a 12-acre campus in Cottondale. Brian Gaerity serves as executive director. HSWA offers pet adoption and coordinates a foster program.

Animal Control in Tuscaloosa County

Animal Control in Unincorporated Areas of Tuscaloosa County: Tuscaloosa County Animal Control, a division of the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, serves the unincorporated area of Tuscaloosa County. The website states that the division is staffed is with two full time officer and one part time officer and is under the direction of Lt. Jeff Judd. Call 205-752-0616.

Animal Control Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:

• To report a loose animal in Brookwood, call City Hall at 205-556-1300 or follow these instructions to text your report. Report a neglect or cruelty situation to Brookwood Police Department at 205-556-0103.
• In Lake View, call the County Dispatch for Lake View Police Department, 205-752-0616 x1.
• Moundville Police Officer Raymond Hatter handles animal concerns in Moundville, and many Facebook comments praise his caring and effective service. Call 205-371-2218.
• In Northport, call Northport Animal Control at 205-339-6600.
• For assistance in the City of Tuscaloosa, contact Tuscaloosa Animal Control at 311 or 205-257-5840 or fill out the form at Tuscaloosa 311 or on the 311 app.
• If you have an animal concern within town limits of Vance or Woodstock, call the police department, town hall, or the sheriff's office for the location, whether Tuscaloosa County or Bibb County.
• It is unclear whether Coaling or Coker have a dedicated animal control officer. Call town hall or the police department for assistance within municipal limits.

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

Dog Confinement Requirements in Tuscaloosa County

County Adoption of Alabama’s Dog Confinement Statute: Dog confinement is required in Tuscaloosa County because the Tuscaloosa 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.

Commissioner Gary Youngblood had twice motioned to adopt the statute prior to the affirmative vote. The motion failed for lack of a second on Apr. 2, 2003, and due to a tie on Apr. 16, 2003. Then on June 4, 2003, the Commission voted unanimously to adopt Alabama Code § 3-1-5 and also to “include a detailed plan in the County’s 2003–2004 budget to address animal control in Tuscaloosa County.” None of the Minutes include any context as to how the subject came up.

Dog Confinement Requirements Within Corporate Limits & Police Jurisdiction:

• Dog confinement is required by ordinance in Moundville (§ 6-102), Northport (§ 14-72), City of Tuscaloosa (§ 4-40).
• There is no ordinance among those posted by Brookwood that prohibits running at large. Since the city does not require licensing, Alabama Code § 3-1-5 is applicable there.
• Vance does not require confinement by ordinance, according to Shelby Yancey of Vance Town Hall. Dog owners at municipal Vance addresses in Tuscaloosa County are required to confine their dogs because the Tuscaloosa County Commission adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5; there is no requirement at Vance addresses in Bibb County.
• It is likely that dog confinement is required in Coaling, Coker, Lake View, and Woodstock, whether by ordinance and/or statute, however these municipalities do not appear to share their 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 Tuscaloosa County

• Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter Snip It Ticket offers financial assistance for households that receive government assistance. The program offers sterilization at Alabama Spay Neuter in Birmingham of up to three dogs and three cats per household for $20 each.
• Compassion Pet Care in Northport offers low-cost spay and neuter to all, with further discounts available to households in which a resident receives government assistance.
• TSNIP (also on Facebook) operates a TNR program funded in part by the City of Tuscaloosa, the City of Northport, and Tuscaloosa County that supports feral and friendly community cat colonies. To volunteer, complete the form or call 205-349-8111. TSNIP also loans out traps.
• Pet transportation is available from Delta (Clay County) to Alabama Spay Neuter in Irondale. Snip-It Tickets can be purchased to reduce the cost, and financial assistance is also available.
• See Low-Cost Spay/Neuter in Jefferson County and Low-Cost Spay/Neuter in Alabama for additional resources.

Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter also helps residents keep their pets. TMAS programs provide pet food and supplies, financial assistance for vet care, fence mending, temporary fostering, and other assistance, and a program to assist owners who must rehome.

Tuscaloosa County Documents

• Tuscaloosa County Commission Public Records Request
• City of Tuscaloosa Public Records Request

Sources

Amanda, Executive Secretary, Talladega County Commission, 205-464-8212, provided shelter and animal control information on Apr. 29, 2025.

Other information is from government websites and from posts and comments on Facebook, as linked.

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