Animal Shelter

Mission Statement

The Animal Shelter of the Odessa Police Department works to safeguard our citizens. Our services include:

  • Animal adoption
  • Animal bite investigation
  • Caring for stray and unwanted animals
  • Education on responsible pet ownership
  • Zoonotic disease prevention
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Adoptions / Reclaiming Animals

Search the Petfinder website for adoptable and recovered pets.

Note

There will be no adoptions/reclaims during the last 30 minutes of each day. Please remember to bring your Driver's License or ID card.

Emergency & Non-Emergency

For emergencies, call 911. Animal emergencies Include:

  • Animal attacks
  • Vicious Animals

For non-emergency animal issues occurring within City limits, call 432-333-3641 and outside City limits in Ector County, call 432-368-3526.

Animal Non-Emergencies Include:

  • Animal bites
  • Dead animals
  • Injured animals

Indoor animal holding pens with chain link gates in a very clean facilityVeterinarian Inspection & State Inspection

As mandated by the Texas Health and Safety Code 823, a veterinarian annually inspects the Odessa Animal Shelter. The last inspection was completed by Dr. Becky Battershell, DVM, in January 2018.

Per Texas Health and Safety Code 826, a Texas Administrative Code, Rabies Control and Education Section 169.26, the Department of State Health Services will annually inspect the Animal Shelter facility. The Odessa Police Department Animal Shelter has passed every inspection.

Operations

As in City Ordinance 2-4-5; licensed animals are held for 10 days and unlicensed animals for 3 days. After that, the animal's disposition may be determined by the space available at the shelter. If the animal is injured or diseased, the holding period may be waived.

Euthanization - State Procedures

As per the State Health and Safety Code 821.052 and 821.053 and the Texas Administration Code Title 25 Part 1 Chapter 169.84, animals are euthanized by injection only.

Approved Fosters

Anyone wanting to foster an animal must be approved by the shelter manager (City ordinance Chapter 2 Article 2-3-4). Fosters must be part of an organized 501 (c)(3) rescue group, complete an application at the shelter, provide a copy of their Driver's License or state issued identification and allow an Animal Control officer to inspect the premises where the animal(s) will be sheltered.