Smith County, TX
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Amber Greene, Animal Control and Shelter Supervisor
Appointed to serve as Smith County Animal Control and Shelter Supervisor on February 18, 2020, by the Smith County Commissioners Court.
Ms. Greene began working as an animal control officer for Smith County in December 2019, and has 10 years of experience working as an animal control officer for the City of Tyler.
The Smith County Animal Control and Shelter has nine employees.
Smith County operates its Animal Shelter for the purpose of reducing the general animal control problems in Smith County, including the vaccination of dogs, reporting human exposure to rabies, quarantine and testing of biting animals, reduction of the stray animal population, restraint of dangerous animals, protecting its citizens from the dangers and problems associated with animals at large, inhumane treatment of animals and other related services.
If you are searching for a lost animal, select the 'Find Animals' link to the left. All postings are current.
Smith County Spay and Neuter Program
The Smith County Commissioners Court approved spending $100,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to start a spay and neuter program available to all residents of Smith County.
To view the news release, click here: News Release ARPA Spay and Neuter Program - February 13, 2024
Smith County Spay and Neuter Program Frequently Asked Questions
For more information, visit: https://thenostraysproject.org/
Animal Control and Shelter Policy Changes
The Smith County Commissioners Court on March 21, 2023, voted to change the Smith County Animal Shelter's Hours of Operation. To view the news release, click here: March 21, 2023 - News Release - Animal Shelter Changes Hours of Operation
The Smith County Commissioners Court on October 25, 2022, voted to adopt changes to the Smith County Animal Control and Shelter Policy. To view Amber Greene's presentation outlining the changes, click here: October 25, 2022 - Smith County Animal Control - Presentation on Policy Changes
Important Resources
- Printable Adoption Application or Online Adoption Application
- Animal Control and Shelter Fee Schedule
- New Rescue Application
- Safe Outdoor Dog Bill
- Smith County Animal Control Ordinance - Updated June 29, 2021
- Surrender Application Request or Online Surrender Application Request
General Information
Animal Shelter
The Smith County Animal Shelter is located at 322 E. Ferguson Street in Tyler. Hours of operation are 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (open during the lunch hour). The shelter is closed on Saturday but will host special adoption events on weekends occasionally.
To Make a Report
To file a report or complaint, you may call the Smith County 24-hour communications center in a non-emergency situation. Phone: 903-566-6600
In the event the animal is posing a threat to the public or the situation is an emergency, dial 911.
To Claim an Animal
- To claim dogs, call the Smith County Animal Control administrative office Monday-Friday 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
- Phone: 903-266-4303
- Email: shelter@smith-county.com
- Fax: 903-526-0202
- The Smith County Animal Shelter is located at 322 East Ferguson Street, Tyler, Texas, 75702
- To claim livestock, call the Low Risk Animal Control.
- Phone: 903-590-2840
Contact Amber Greene
- Office: 903-590-2675
Animal Control Mission Statement
Our mission is to enhance the public’s health and safety by providing comprehensive education and exemplary service to the citizens of Smith County and their pets, while also reducing the population of homeless and needy animals within Smith County.
Stray Animal (Dog)
Animal means any mammal, domesticated or wild and The Smith County Animal Control, as part of the Northeast Texas Public Health District, defines a stray animal as a 'dog' or a member of the canine family.
Estray Animal (Livestock)
Texas livestock laws define an estray as any valuable domestic animal such as a horse, mule, hog, sheep, goat, cattle, exotic livestock, or exotic fowl that has strayed from it's owner. Texas livestock laws require the Sheriff to pick up any estray animal reported to Smith County Animal Control, regardless of who reports it.
When a report is received by a dispatcher, he/she shall obtain as much information as possible from the reporting person about the animal's location and possible owner, then dispatch an animal control unit.
If a danger to the public is determined, a patrol unit will be dispatched if an animal control unit is not immediately available. The first responder will make a diligent search to determine the owner of the stray. If they are unable to locate the owner, the stray will be transported to the designated Smith County facility, which may be different if the stray is a dog or if it is livestock.
Senate Bill 5 - Unlawful Restraint
Senate Bill 5 went into effect on January 1, 2022. To read SB5, click here: