Animal Services in Washington County
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Impoundment Facilities or Shelters in Washington County
Washington County Lacks a Suitable County Pound
With no county impoundment facility and no county animal control, Washington 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.”
Washington County could meet the state requirement by opening an impoundment facility and hiring an animal control officer, contracting with a nonprofit organization for sheltering, or boarding impounded animals with a vet or animal hospital. The founding and operation of an impoundment facility is possible even on the limited budgets of Alabama’s rural counties. See the example at An Affordable & Effective Shelter Facility.
Some years ago, there was a Washington County Animal Shelter with operation contracted to a third party, according to two Washington County officials. After the individuals involved chose to no longer contract with the county, the county operated the facility directly, according to Commissioner Allen Bailey on a May 2025 call, stating that the facility was operational at that time even though it had no website, no Facebook presence, and no phone number.
What was actually happening in Washington County remains unclear. Several area residents, including Vickie Fendley, who coordinates All 4 Paws’ SNYP program which serves many Washington County pets, have told us that Washington County never did have a public shelter.
On Mar. 30, 2026, Breanna at Washington County Commission stated that the county had no impoundment facility of any kind. She said that the county was unable to find an organization to operate an impoundment facility and the Commission would not operate it directly.
Animal Control in Washington County
Washington County has no animal control services — neither in the unincorporated area nor in the towns of Chatom, McIntosh, or Millry. Impoundment and enforcement of animal laws is the responsibility of Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Call 251-847-2202.
“We’re looking for an [animal control] officer now,” said Commissioner Allen Bailey in May 2025, adding that it was hard to find someone reliable. He said that the future ACO will work directly for the Commission, rather than the Sheriff’s Office. As of this Mar. 30, 2026 update, there is still no animal control officer in Washington County.
We offer this guidance to residents and advocates who need help or who would like the county and municipalities to offer animal services.
Dog Confinement Requirements in Washington County
Dog confinement is not required in unincorporated Washington County because the Washington 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 Commission met Mar. 24, 2025 to discuss setting up animal control and adopting the statute, Commisioner Allen Bailey told me on a call that day. He also spoke about his concerns regarding the large number of loose dogs in the county and the lack of animal control, and I sent information.
Even without the county adopting the state law, the towns of Chatom, McIntosh, and Millry can pass an ordinance to require owners to keep dogs on their own premises. It is unclear whether this has been done. Please email us if you can share information.
Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Washington County
- All 4 Paws’ SNYP program offers low-cost sterilization for dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens (including community cats), including pet transportation to and from Washington County. See details here.
- Washington County Veterinary Clinic in Chatom participates in the ALVMF license plate program, which offers $10 cat sterilization or $20 dog sterilization for Medicaid recipients.
- Low-cost spay and neuter is available from Southern Pines Healthy Pet Clinic in Hattisburg, Mississippi.
- See Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Mobile County and Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Alabama for programs that may be available to Washington County residents.
Washington County Documents
- Washington 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
- Breanna, Accounts Payable, Washington County Commission, spoke about the (lack of) impoundment facility on Mar. 30, 2026.
- Allen Bailey, Washington County Commissioner, 251-847-2208, shared information about animal services on Mar. 24, 2025 and May 5, 2025.
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