FAQs • Weatherford • CivicEngage

How can I tell if my dog has rabies?: Not even the best professional can tell you if your animal has rabies. The best way to tell is to quarantine the animal for ten (10) days. There is no live animal test for rabies. Clinical signs include a change in behavior, loss of motor apparatus in hind legs, drooling from the mouth, baying or howling. Contact the animal shelter or your veterinarian for more information, or if you feel your animal has rabies or was exposed to an animal with rabies.

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Animal Shelter

1. What are the Animal Shelter's Operating Hours?

WPCAS is open Tuesday through Friday from 11am until 6pm. We are open Saturday from 11am - 4pmThe shelter is closed on Sundays and Mondays. The phones are answered on these days from 8:00am to close. On Sundays and Mondays, emergency calls will be dispatched to the on-duty animal control officer.

Surgery drop offs should arrive on the scheduled surgery day between 8:30 and 9:00. If the pet is not at the shelter by 9am we will have to reschedule the pet’s surgery date.

2. What are the shelter’s Service areas and Non-Service Areas?

WPCAS provides service to the City of Weatherford, Unincorporated Parker County, Aledo, Hudson Oaks, and Willow Park. Unincorporated areas include: Adell, Briar, Garner, Poolville, and Whitt.

Areas we do not serve include: Agnes, Annettas, Azle, Brock, Cool, Cresson, Dennis, Millsap, Mineral Wells, Reno, Sanctuary, Goshen, Springtown and Peaster.

Weatherford Animal Control Officers provide animal services for the City of Weatherford, Aledo, Hudson Oaks, and Willow Park. Parker County Sherriff’s Department Animal Control Officers provide animal services for Unincorporated Parker County, Adell, Briar, Garner, Poolville and Whitt.

3. Why can’t you take this animal?: The shelter is only authorized to take animals from the areas we are contracted with. If you are turned away because of where you live, it is likely we do not have a contract in place to provide services for your area. (See non-service areas.)

4. What are your adoption fees and what is included in those fees?: The adoption fees are $90.00 for a male dog, $100.00 for a female dog, and $50.00 for a cat. These fees include spay/neuter, a rabies vaccination, a microchip and all basic vaccinations for influenza/parvo/etc.

5. How can I tell if my dog has rabies?: Not even the best professional can tell you if your animal has rabies. The best way to tell is to quarantine the animal for ten (10) days. There is no live animal test for rabies. Clinical signs include a change in behavior, loss of motor apparatus in hind legs, drooling from the mouth, baying or howling. Contact the animal shelter or your veterinarian for more information, or if you feel your animal has rabies or was exposed to an animal with rabies.

6. How can I help the shelter?

Donate items such as dog and cat food, kitty litter, collars and leashes, laundry detergent and bleach. Donations can be brought directly to the shelter. Make a monetary contribution in the form of cash, check or money order made payable to the Weatherford Animal Shelter Building Improvement Fund. Monetary contributions may be mailed to Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter, 403 Hickory Lane, Weatherford, Texas 76086. Purchase a memorial brick for $100, which can be engraved in honor or memory of a beloved family member or pet. A memorial wall will be erected as part of the new construction.

You can find our Wish list on Amazon which will show many of the items we want that can help improve an animal’s stay at the shelter as well as items we use daily in our operations.

More...

7. Can I volunteer at the Animal Shelter?: The mission of the Weatherford Parker Animal Shelter (WPCAS) is to improve the bonds between humans and their animals through effective outreach and exceptional customer service to our community.
We encourage the active involvement of volunteers at all levels of our agency. Volunteers work in partnership with staff to improve the bonds between humans and animals, increase the number of animals with loving homes, keep the community safe, and offer a municipal service of excellence to our community. Our volunteer family is part of what makes our shelter GREAT!
Anyone age 16 and older is welcome to apply.
For as little as four hours a month, you can make a big difference in the life of an animal in need.
Take this opportunity to invest in a cause you believe in!
Click here for more information!

8. Where can I find a low cost spay or neuter program?

Here are a few options for low cost vet care:

Contact the Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter at 817-598-4111 for more information. Please note that these entities are not affiliated with the Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter.

9. What can I do about barking dogs in my neighborhood? How can I report animals running loose in my neighborhood?: To report incidents involving animals call 817-598-4111. If an animal appears to be a threat to the safety of an individual, call 911.

10. What do I do if my dog bites someone?: In the State of Texas you are required to report all dog bites to the police or an animal control officer who will fill out a dog bite report on the incident.

11. What are the shelter’s fees?: The shelter's fees can be found here.

12. How do I adopt a pet?: Adopting is as easy as 1-2-3-4! All you need to do is (1) come into the Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter, (2) visit with pets that interest you, (3) select a pet that fits your home and your life, and (4) bring the paperwork on the kennel to the front office to process your adoption! You will need to have your Government Issued ID, will be asked to complete a short adoption questionnaire, sign an Adoption Agreement and pay the adoption fee!

13. How do I surrender a pet?

As the shelter exceeds 6000 animals intaken each year, homes for these animals become increasingly difficult to secure. Although the shelter does all we can to rehome the pets that we care for, there are many things that you, as the owner, are able to do to secure a positive outcome for your pet. Because of the high intake numbers and capacity of the shelter, we request that you try to find an alternative solution to surrendering your pet to the shelter. Solutions include rehoming your pet on your own, finding a trainer to help with behavioral issues, and requesting assistance from animal rescues in the area. Please take a look at our Alternatives to Surrender Guide.

If you have tried all other options, you may contact the shelter and your pet will be accepted based on availability with a $10 surrender fee. We cannot guarantee adoption for your pet. Please try other available options before surrendering to the shelter.

14. How do I reclaim my lost pet?: Contact WPCAS directly and visit the shelter to identify your pet. Once you have identified and confirmed your pet is at the Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter, the front office will be able to assist you with reclamation of your pet. You will need current ID, to sign the Owner Reclamation Agreement and fees are assessed at the time of reclamation. Your pet must be current on rabies vaccination (1 year vaccines only and must provide the rabies certificate signed by the administering veterinarian) and will be required to be fitted with a microchip if you pet does not currently have one.

15. How do I foster a pet?: WPCAS does not currently have a foster program, however, please look to our rescue partners as they are always looking for great foster families!

16. How do I see what pets are at the shelter?: Our shelter has a great feature to help you determine if your missing pet has been turned into the shelter and for you to see the pets here at the shelter! Visit our WPCAS Shelter Dashboard to see animals currently at the shelter, animals that were adopted/rescued today, and an interactive stray animal map that indicates where pets in the shelter were picked up at. Please pay close attention to date ranges on the Stray Animal Map to ensure you select the dates your pet went missing to the date you are looking.

17. How do I adopt livestock?: All of our livestock at the shelter go up for auction and follow the Estrays chapter of the Agriculture Code and after the hold period go up for auction with Texas Auction Realty. All livestock is managed by the Parker County Sheriff's Department.

18. Are you going to euthanize it?

Euthanasia is always the shelter’s last resort for an animal. Animals may be euthanized based on medical issues, behavior issues, temperament, and/or space constraints at the shelter. The shelter maintains a Live Release Rate of over 90% yearly, meaning 90% of the animals that come into the shelter are rehomed successfully through reclamations, adoptions, rescues, TNR, or our barn cat program.

Ideally animals should not be in the shelter environment for over two weeks.

An animal becomes urgent once the animal has been in the shelter for over 30 days as the shelter is not set up for long term boarding. The shelter is a TEMPORARY housing situation for the pets who need it.

We try multiple ways to place our animals, however, there are times we are unsuccessful.

19. Is WPCAS a "No-Kill" shelter?: We do not claim to be a “No-Kill Shelter”. We try our best to place animals in our care, however, we are an animal shelter where many animals seek shelter and safety. There are times we must make difficult decisions and proceed with euthanasia due to behavioral, medical and/or space constraints.

20. Is there pet licensing in Weatherford or Parker County?: Currently, there are no licensing requirements for dogs or cats in Parker County. It is, however, mandatory that all dogs and cats be vaccinated yearly for rabies.

21. What are the shelter's stray hold periods?

Animals with no identification (no current tags or microchip) will be held for 3 days before being available for placement.

Animals with current identification (current tags and/or microchip) will be held for 5 days before being available for placement.

It is the owner’s responsibility to check the shelter regularly, and multiple times, when looking for a lost pet. We cannot verify if your pet is at the shelter over the phone or by email.

22. How do you make sure your pet’s microchip will help them get back home if they get lost?

A microchip is only as good as the information registered on them. There are many times animal control picks up a pet that is microchipped and the information registered with the microchip is inaccurate. Bad information on a microchip leads animal control to a dead end when trying to return an owner home. It is imperative that owners keep updated and current information on their microchips. If you give your pet away, change the owner information on the microchip. If you move, change phone numbers, or any of your contact information changes PLEASE update your pet’s microchip information!

How do you update the information? By contacting the microchip company and following their procedures. Below are the most common microchip companies we see:

***Please note that these companies are NOT affiliated with the Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter.***

The shelter uses HomeAgain Microchips for all pets at the shelter. The shelter can provide your pet with a microchip for only $20

23. What do I do when the shelter is closed and I have an animal related issue?

Weatherford Animal Control Officers respond to emergency calls after hours. If you have an emergency, please contact Weatherford Police Department. If your issue is not an emergency, please call and leave a voicemail and we will return your call in the morning.

Emergency Calls include:

Injured or sick animals (with no owners), aggressive/dangerous animals, animal bites to humans, snakes posing safety risk (preventing entry to home or in house), animal cruelty and neglect, and loose livestock.

Non-Emergency Calls include:

Sick/injured pet (take your pet to the emergency vet), stray or loose animals, animal to animal bites, snake on property but not preventing entry to the home and not in the home, barking dogs, or trapped animals.

24. What is T-N-R?

According to the ASCPA, The past and current strategy of “catching and killing”, or “catching and removing” free-roaming cats has failed. Their numbers will continue to grow, but with TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) efforts in place, the feral cat population will stabilize. TNR is the strategy of reducing the numbers of feral cats in the community by trapping the cats, bringing them to a clinic to be spayed/neutered, and returning them back to their home range. This process helps to control the population by preventing the vacuum effect, reducing the numbers of litters, population decreases as feral cats live shorter life spans than inside cats, and annoying behaviors like howling, fighting, marking territory and subsequent odors will stop or decrease dramatically.

For more information, visit Alley Cat Allies!

25. How do I care for the Feral/Community Cats in my area?

There are likely several people in your area feeding feral cats. The best way to provide and care for the feral cats in your community is:

TNR – Trap the cats, have them spayed or neutered, and return them to the same location they were picked up from.

Feed the cats in feeding stations and only for one hour per day. Be sure that once “dinner time” is over, all food is promptly picked up and cleaned up. You do not want to leave food out all day/all night, or leave it scattered about because that will bring in wildlife who can spread diseases and cause nuisance issues.

See Alley Cat Allies’ resources on Community Care.

26. What is the Vacuum Effect and why shouldn’t I just have the cats removed?: Alley Cat Allies have great information on the Feral Cat Vacuum Effect!

27. Do you lease traps and if so; for how much and how long?: WPCAS does lease traps for the citizens of Weatherford. There is a $50 deposit that will be refunded as long as the trap is returned in good working order. You will be allowed to keep the trap for up to two weeks. Trapping is only authorized (personal traps or leased traps) during good weather. Trapping during inclement weather is inhumane and illegal.

28. How much will this citation cost?: Citation fees are set by the municipal courts. They are usually around $200 for an “At Large” citation.

29. How many pets can I have city/county?

You can have up to 5 dogs and/or cats in city limits. In the county, you can have as many animals to which you can provide adequate and humane care for.

City Ordinance

County Code

30. Can I have a wild animal as a pet?: You cannot own a wild animal in city limits. Only certified wildlife rehabbers can house them.

31. What do I do when I see a coyote?

Check out our Coyote Webpage!

If you encounter a coyote try the following hazing methods:

Yell and wave your arms while approaching the coyote.
Use noisemakers (your voice, whistles, air horns, bells, etc.)
Use projectiles (sticks, small rocks, cans, balls)
Try other repellents (water hose, water gun with vinegar water, walking sticks, pepper/bear spray)
Hazing is a method that uses deterrents to move an animal out of an area or discourages an undesirable behavior or activity. Hazing can help maintain coyotes’ fear of humans and deter them from neighborhood spaces such as backyards, streets and parks.

REMEMBER:

NEVER RUN FROM A COYOTE. This can activate a prey drive and encourage the coyote to chase and “catch” you.
If the coyote doesn’t leave at first, continue approaching him and/or increase the intensity of your hazing until he runs away. If he runs a short distance away and stops to look at you, continue hazing until he leaves the area completely.
If a coyote returns after you’ve successfully hazed him or her, continue to haze the coyote as you did before. It typically takes only one or two times to haze a coyote away for good.
Contact the authorities and DO NOT INTERACT with a coyote whom you suspect of being sick or injured.
This has to be a community wide effort and is most effective when hazed by a variety of people using a variety of hazing methods.
The coyote must be able to recognize the threat is coming from you, a person. Do not hide from the coyote, let them know YOU are the threat to them.

32. Can I trap and relocate wildlife?: You can humanely trap them, however, only certified personnel can transport and/or handle.

33. Can you provide pest control services?: We do not provide pets control services, however, there are several companies in the area that do.

34. What do I do if I get bit by an animal?: You should always get medical attention first, then notify animal control as any mammal that bites should be quarantined and/or sent for rabies testing.

35. Where can I view all of our local animal laws and ordinances?: You can find our full animal control ordinance for the City of Weatherford here.

36. What vaccines are needed for my pet?

Canine

Rabies (Follow the law [yearly in Parker County], local ordinances and veterinary discretion), Canine Distemper, Canine Parvovirus, Infectious Canine Hepatitis. In addition, risk indicating need for vaccination against Kennel Cough (b. bronchiseptica and Canine Parainfluenza), Canine Influenzas and Leptospirosis should be considered.

Feline

Rabies (Follow the law [yearly in Parker County], local ordinances and veterinary discretion), Feline Parvovirus (Distemper, Cat Plague, Panleukopenia), Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calici Virus, Pneumonitis which is frequently part of the FVRC...P vaccine
Feline Leukemia vaccination is also an important part of annual immune regimen evaluation by the family’s veterinarian.

It is important to follow the advice of a local family pet veterinarian who is aware of local disease risks, laws and is able to carefully advise families about risks to their pets.

37. How often should I get my pets their rabies vaccines?: Parker County requires each dog and cat to receive yearly rabies vaccines. The 3-year rabies vaccine is not recognized in Parker County.

38. What are the surgery days for T-N-R?: Currently days feral cats can be dropped off for T-N-R surgery is Wednesdays and Fridays between 8:30 and 9:00 am. Cats arriving after 9:00am will not be accepted for surgery and will have to come back another day.

39. Can you euthanize my pet?: You will need to contact a veterinarian or pet hospice to have your pet euthanized as we do not offer those services through the shelter.

40. My vet says I need to wait until my pet is 6 months old to spay/neuter, why does WPCAS require adopted pets to be spayed/neutered so early (pre-pubescent spay/neuter)?

Very, very few veterinarians actually say wait until pets are 6 months old. What they will uniformly agree is that it is best if pets have been adequately immunized, dewormed and that they are healthy before elective surgery. The American Veterinary Medical Association has recommended sterilization as early as eight weeks of age. The ASPCA, HSUS, AVMA, TVMA, ASV and many other humane organizations are recommending sterilization by five months of age because by six months, many are already reproducing.
We prefer to sterilize at 12-16 weeks of age because puppy/kitten vaccinations have provided immunity. Deworming, better nutrition and other care have assured a healthier animal is presented for sterilization. But the overriding reason, which takes all of the above into account, is that the state law requires sterilization within one month of adoption.

41. Why should I spay or neuter my pet?