Impounding/Stray Pick Up

When a pet is picked up it will be transported to the contracted animal care facility for five (5) working days. Owners should call the Alamo Heights Police Department within the five (5) working day period. If the pet is not at the contract animal care facility, a lost report and/or picture can be posted at the police department.

If the animal is impounded the owner will have to provide the Alamo Heights Police Department with proof of ownership. This can be a rabies certificate (preferred), a current photo of the animaI, or vet records. In order to reclaim the impounded dog/cat the owner must secure a release form the Alamo Heights Police Department. Release forms are issued upon:

  • Payment of a license fee (if the pet is unregistered)
  • An administrative fee ( if applicable, see below)
  • Payment of all boarding fees due to the impound facility
  • Proof of a current rabies vaccination. If proof of a current rabies vaccination cannot be provided, the animal must be vaccinated, at the owners’ expense, prior to release. Rabies tags and reminder notices will not be accepted as proof of a rabies vaccination.

Administrative fee:

The first time a dog and/or cat is reclaimed by its owner, no administrative fee is charged. The second time a dog and/or cat is reclaimed by its owner an administrative fee of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) will be charged. The third time a dog and/or cat is reclaimed by its owner an administrative fee of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) will be charged, the fourth and all subsequent times a dog and/or cat is reclaimed by its owner an administrative fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00) will be charged.

All dogs and cats that have been impounded and are unclaimed after the five (5) working day period may be placed for adoption, sold or humanely destroyed.