Animal Services:

• Animal Cruelty
• Where to Report Animal Cruelty?
• State of Texas Penal Code - SEC. 42.09 Cruelty to Animals
• How to Help?
• Animal Rescue Organizations
• Spay and Neuter Assistance
• Microchip
• Title 7 Ordinance
• Pet Safety Tips
• Emergency Hospital (Open Holidays and After Hours)
• Veterinarian Clinics

1. Clean and Cool Water - It is very important that your pet always have clean, cool water. Place water in an area accessible to your pet and remember to place it in a shaded area - water left out in the sun will become too hot to drink.



2. Shelter - Always have an appropriate shelter for your pet to escape from our City's hot and cold weather. Make sure the dog house is in good condition and is large enough for your pet to stand and move around in.



3. Parked Cars - Never leave a dog or cat (any animal) in a parked car (even if you leave the window left a few inches open). Leaving a dog or any animal in a parked car, especially in the summer can cause heatstroke within minutes. NOTE: Leaving your dog in a car parked in the shade does not assure that your dog will not become seriously overheated. Shaded cars may still get very hot due to the greenhouse effect, and the sun may also move enough to change shaded areas into sunny ones. Dogs left in parked cars also risk being harassed or stolen.



4. Heat Exhaustion - Is often caused by over-exercising or running with a dog during hot weather. Both heatstroke and heat exhaustion can result in brain damage, heart failure or even death in a short period of time. Short muzzle and thick-coated breeds and mixes are particularly vulnerable, although any breed may be at risk. Always bring cool water along when walking, running, or hiking with your dog. To cool off an overheated dog, offer him plenty of water, then wet the dog's body and paws with cool water, then fan. A dog's normal internal body temperature is between 110.5 degrees F and o2 degrees F. If the dog experiences heatstroke or heat exhaustion, he should receive veterinary attention as soon as possible.



5. Car Windows - Prevent your dog from hanging his head out of a moving car or truck window when taking him for a ride. Bugs, small pebbles and other debris can injure his eyes, and he is also at risk of jumping out of the vehicle. Also, closing automatic car windows while your dog is hanging his head out of the car window can cause him or her serious harm.



6. Pick Up Trucks - Never allow your dog to ride in the back of an open pickup truck, unless he is safely secured by a padded harness to the center of the pickup "bed", with specially designed tethers. Also make sure you provide a thick comfortable padded surface or dog bed to prevent injury or discomfort to your dog's joints.



7. Anti Freeze and Chocolate - Even small amounts of these substances can cause serious harm to your pet - even death. Please keep anti-freeze and chocolate away from your pet. If your pet accidentally swallows or eats these substances - immediately take your pet to a veterinarian. Their life depends on it.



8. July 4th Fireworks - Avoid exposing your puppy or dog to firework noise, as fireworks can result in serious and often long-term phobias. Disguise the firework noise with music, television, air conditioners and "white noise" machines. Try to relax your pet if frightened or confused by the firework noises.



9. Swimming Pools - Each year, puppies, dogs and small children accidentally drown in the backyard swimming pools when left unattended. To help prevent such a tragedy, always keep fenced-in pools locked securely when not being used, and keep animals and small children away from unenclosed and unoccupied pools.



10. Benefits of Spaying and Neutering - Regardless of the time of year, neutering your dog or cat will help reduce the likelihood or your animals roaming and getting injured or lost, unwanted litters, intra-species fighting, sexual frustration, mounting, urinary marking, dominance, aggression, and a variety of physical conditions including certain types of cancer.



11. Identification - Be sure that your pet always has identification (your phone number and address) along with his current Rabies tag to his collar. Make sure you also Microchip your pet and always have your current contact information sent to the recovery system.



12. Protect Your Dog From Being Stolen - Companion animals theft is unfortunately a serious problem in this country. The number of animals that are stolen from backyards and from outside stores and supermarkets increase dramatically throughout Spring, Summer, and Fall. Even the "safest neighborhoods are not immune to this growing problem. The bottom line is: NEVER leave your dog unsupervised if there is any risk that your dog could be harassed, poisoned, or stolen.

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