Animal Control - Common Questions
1) Can I vaccinate my animal for rabies myself?
A) No. By State Law, animals must be vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian once a year, every year, from the time the animal is three months of age. Rabies vaccination given by any other means is not recognized as being current or valid.
2) Does the 7 in 1 shot cover rabies?
A) No. The 7 in 1 shot does not cover the Rabies Vaccine. It covers Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvo, Corona, Parainfluenza, Addonvirus for dogs. For cats, shots cover Feline leukemia, Feline distemper and Respiratory viruses. You can contact your veterinarian for more information.
3) If my dog was sleeping on my front porch, why did Animal Control pick my dog up?
A) If your Animal is not restrained on your property by fence, kennell or trolley system in a manner preventing it from leaving your property of its own free will, it is by law considered Running At Large and is subject to being impounded and may be picked up by Animal Control.
4) Why must my animal be quarantined if it has had it rabies shots?
A) Rabies vaccination, although state required, is an immune enhancing vaccine and merely raises an animals immune system from contracting the disease, but does not guarantee the animal can not contract rabies. Therefore Texas law requires that all cats and dogs involved in a bite or a scratch be quarantined from the date and time of the incident.
5) Why does it cost so much to reclaim my animal from the shelter?
A) The fees involved in the reclaiming of an animal from the Shelter cover the City of Waco impound fee as pre- determined and set by City Council of $50.00. The boarding fee of $10.00 per day for dogs and $10.00 per day for cats offsets the cost of care and feed for the animals. State law requires that if any animal is not current on its rabies vaccination, the shelter will charge an additional fee of $10.00 for a pre-paid rabies vaccination (receipt/coupon which may be redeemed at any local vet at no additional charge to the reclaiming owner).
6) If the City of Waco has a leash law, why are cats allowed to run loose?
A) Cats, by City of Waco Ordinance, if found wearing a current rabies vaccination tag, may roam. If they are found not to be wearing a current vaccination tag, they are by law also Running At Large and are subject to impoundment.
7) Who do I call about a dead animal in my neighborhood?
A) The City of Waco Animal Control Unit does not pick up dead animals. You may contact the City Solid Waste Department at 299-2612 to report and schedule for pick up.
8) Does the City of Waco require a license for dogs and cat?
A) At this time the City of Waco does not have a License Program for animals. The Veterinarian Rabies Vaccination tag serves as a form of I.D. for animals that come in through the animal shelter. The shelter will use that tag number through the vet to attempt to locate an owner.
9) Does the City of Waco have a limit on the number of animals a person can own?
A) Yes, we do. A person must obtain a permit if they own any combination of dogs or cats exceeding six animals over four months of age. The application may be obtained from the City Secretary.
10) What can I do about a neighbor that lets their animals run loose after animal control is off duty?
A) Report these incidents to the Animal Control at 750-7500.
11) My dog is vaccinated for rabies, can my dog run loose?
A) NO. By City Ordinance, dogs must be confined to the owners property at all times or when out walking must be restrained by a leash that is controlled by a person of strength to control the animal.
12) Is livestock allowed inside the City of Waco?
A) Livestock is allowed inside the City of Waco if;
- For each livestock, the pen or enclosure has 600 square feet.( i.e. 1 cow - 600square feet, 2 cows - 1,200 square feet, etc.)
- The pen must be located at least 200 feet from the nearest neighbor in a straight line at the closest points. Fowl/Rabbits - must be in a pen, coop or hutch (four sides, top and bottom) at all times (this includes the baby chicks/ducklings etc.) and the pen, coop or hutch must be 200 feet from the nearest neighbor in a straight line at the closest points.
