Animal Control

Is Your Pet Missing?

If your pet is missing, Animal Control may have picked up the pet for impoundment. Check the Found Pets page to see if your pet is staying at the Kennel. If you do not see your pet, call Animal Control at (210) 293-9676 and leave a detailed message about your missing pet. You may also fill out the online Lost & Found Pet Form. Be specific when leaving details about your missing pet. Animal Control will need to know what type of pet, the hair color, the size, does pet have a collar and tags, or a microchip, any distinguishing marks, where was pet last seen, your name, address, and phone number, and any other important details. Animal Control will call you back as soon as possible during business hours to let you know if your pet has been impounded. If your pet is missing, do not go to the animal shelter, as it is not open to the public, and the animal control officer is the only person authorized to provide information about your missing pet. The Animal Control Officer works in the field and does not have an office location. The officer can be reached by phone during business hours at (210) 342-2341 x206.

• Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Friday: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

If animal control has not impounded your pet, you are encouraged to check with your neighbors and with several other animal rescue agencies to see if they may have information about your missing pet:

• Animal shelters in and around San Antonio
• Adoption services in and around San Antonio

If animal control has picked up a pet and there is no identification to assist in locating the owner, they will take a picture of the animal and post it on the bulletin board outside of the animal control facility. If you see your pet on the bulletin board, please call Animal Control and make an appointment to pick up the pet. The animal control facility is not open to the public, and pets cannot be returned to their owners without making an appointment with the animal control officer. Owners must provide identification and current rabies vaccination to reclaim their pet.

Did You Find A Pet?

Have you found someone else's pet? During business hours, call Animal Control at (210) 342-2341 x206. If space is available the Animal Control officer will make same-day arrangements to pick up the pet and process it into the animal shelter. If there is no space available, the animal control officer will direct you to other agencies that may be able to assist you with pet intake. See the Animal Control page for business hour listings.You may also fill out the online Lost & Found Pet Form.

If you find someone else's pet after business hours, if possible, please care for the pet until you are able to make contact with Animal Control. Call (210) 342-2341 x206 and leave a message with your name, phone number, and a detailed description of the pet, including where you found it. The Animal Control officer will call you back during business hours to make arrangements for the pet to be processed into the animal shelter, if space is available. 

Please note that the Animal Control officer works in the field and is not at an office location. Do not attempt to drop off the pet at City buildings as City staff cannot process the animal into the shelter. Do not ever abandon pets at city buildings, as this is punishable by fine and/or jail time.

Owner Surrender

The Animal Control department cannot accept owner surrendered pets. If you have a pet that you are unable to care for, please contact one of the following agencies for further assistance:

• Animal Defense League (ADL)
• Animal Care Services (ACS)
• San Antonio Humane Society (SAHS)

Pet Registration Ordinance
Per City ordinance, all domestic pets in Castle Hills more than 4 months old must be registered with the city. Pet registration is important and helps animal control identify your pet in the event that the pet is impounded. The registration fee for each domestic animal is $10.00. It is important to be sure that your pets are current on their Rabies vaccination. Owners must present a certificate of Rabies vaccination by a licensed veterinarian in order to register the pets. To register your pet, go to the City Hall building located at 209 Lemonwood Drive in Castle Hills, fill out the Pet Registration Form, and pay the $10.00 fee. 

Leash Law / Dog At Large Ordinance

All domestic pets must be restrained in a fenced area, and are not allowed to roam at large, at will. If pets are roaming at large and causing a nuisance to other residents, call and report this code violation to the City of Castle Hills. Call (210) 293-9676 and give detailed information to the dispatcher answering the phone. Dispatch will page Animal Control (during business hours only) and the Animal Control Officer will attempt to make contact with the pet. If Animal Control is able to make contact with the pet, the pet will be brought in to the kennel for impoundment. Be aware that the animal control officer has many other responsibilities and is not able to chase the animals. If contact cannot be made, the animal may continue to roam free. Per ordinance, cats are exempt from the leash requirements while on the owner's property, but any cat straying onto the property of anyone other than its owner shall be deemed a nuisance animal and will be subject to impoundment. See the Impoundment Fee Schedule tab for more information on impoundment fees.

Per City Ordinance, Chapter 6, Sec. 6-1, a pet roaming "at large" means the pet has gotten out of the enclosed area and wandered off the premises of the owner and is not under the control of the owner or another responsible person either by a leash, cord, chain, or other humane and effective method.

Havahart® Humane Animal Trap Rental

If you are having a problem with wildlife nuisance animals, you can remove them in a safe and humane way with Havahart® live animal traps: 

• Feral cats
• Possums
• Raccoons
• Skunks

The city has several Havahart® live animal traps available to rent for $5 per day. There is a deposit required in the amount of $55 which will be refunded in full once the trap is returned. Once the nuisance animal has been trapped, contact Animal Control to remove the trap and the live animal from your property. (There is no fee for this removal service.) The traps must be set up in side or back yards only. Traps may not be set up in front yards due to adult/child safety hazards, and theft issues. All residents who rent and use the traps are responsible for the safe and humane treatment of the wildlife while in their care. (Do not set up traps on Friday if you cannot safely and humanely care for the trapped animals until Monday.)

NO ANIMAL DROP OFF

IMPORTANT: DO NOT DROP OFF THE ANIMALS OR TRAPS at the Public Works building. There are NO DROP OFF facilities for the traps or the live animals. You MUST CALL the Animal Control Officer at (210) 293-9676 to MAKE ARRANGEMENTS to pick up the trap and animal from your property. 

Trap Rental Hours

If you would like to rent a trap, contact the Animal Control Officer (ACO) at (210) 293-9676 to make arrangements to have a trap delivered to your residence during business hours. (There is no charge for trap delivery. The ACO may assist you with setting the trap, if required.) Be aware that the ACO works in the field and does not have an office location.
Be sure to call first as there is a limited supply of traps, and only the ACO can rent the traps to you. Do not go to the Public Works building to rent a trap without having made prior arrangements. The ACO can be reached by phone during business hours at (210) 293-9676

• Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am to noon; 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm