Animal Shelter

Mission Statement

The Odessa Animal Shelter, a division of the Odessa Police Department, is a temporary shelter for strays, lost, found, and quarantined dogs and cats.  Our service includes:

  • Animal adoption
  • Caring for stray and unwanted animals
  • Education on responsible pet ownership
  • Zoonotic disease prevention
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3

Adoptions / Reclaim or Lost Animals

If you want to adopt or reclaim an animal, please come by the shelter with a valid Driver's License or ID card.  If you're looking for a lost animal, please visit the shelter.

Emergency & Non-Emergency

For emergencies, call 911. Animal emergencies Include:

  • Animal Attacks
  • Vicious Animals
  • Animal Bites
  • Injured Animals

For non-emergency animal issues occurring within City limits, call 432-333-3641 option 8 and outside City limits in Ector County, call 432-335-3535.

Animal Non-Emergencies Include:

  • Stay Animals
  • Dead 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. Kenneth Waldrup DVM in May of 2021. 

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.