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1. Where is the animal shelter located?

The City of Texarkana, Texas does not have a shelter.

2. How long are animals kept when impounded by Animal Services?

Impounded animals shall be held for three days after the date of impoundment, except any animal wearing a current rabies vaccination tag, or a current city license tag- held for seven days. Animals willingly surrendered by their owners become the property of the City of Texarkana, Texas and require no holding period.

3. What happens to an impounded animal if unclaimed?

If the owner of an impounded animal does not redeem it within the period of impoundment, the animal shall become the property of the city and shall be placed for adoption, transferred to a bona fide rescue organization, or humanely destroyed when necessary.

4. How many dogs, cats or ferrets can I keep?

You can have five common household pets of any combination, not including animals under four months of age.

5. When I see an animal running loose what should I do?

Call 903-798-3535, Texarkana, Texas Animal Services and an officer will respond.

6. Can Texarkana, Texas residents residing within the city limits use the Texarkana Animal Care and Adoption Center?

Residents can contact Texarkana, Texas Animal Services at 903-798-3535 to surrender an animal that can no longer be cared for. Animals willingly surrendered by their owners become the property of the City of Texarkana, Texas and require no holding period. The cost for surrendering an animal is $150.00.

Residents can also adopt an animal from the City of Texarkana, Texas for no fee.

7. What does it cost to adopt an animal?

Any animal unwanted or unclaimed by the owner may be adopted for free.  All adopted animals must be spayed or neutered by the newly adopted family.

8. Is there a spay/neuter law when adopting an animal from the shelter?

All animals adopted from the city operated shelter or a city partner must be spayed or neutered within 30 days, or when the animal reaches the age of 6 months.

9. Can I sell or give away animals in a public place?

No, It is unlawful to sell, barter, trade, lease, give away, or otherwise convey ownership of any live animal on any parking lot, right of way, roadside, garage sale, flea market, or other area generally accessed by the public within the city limits; except that any non-profit animal welfare or the city conducting adoption of animals.

10. Am I allowed to keep any wild or wild-hybrid pets?

No, it is unlawful to own, possess, keep, or harbor any wild or wild-hybrid animal within the city limits.

11. If an animal is declared vicious, can the animal be kept in the city limits?

It is unlawful to own, possess, keep, or harbor any vicious animals in the city limits.

12. Are swine allowed in the city limits?

No, it is unlawful to keep any swine in the city limits.