Animal Control
314 S Chestnut St.
McKinney, TX 75069
Phone: (972) 547-7445
Fax: (972) 547-2606
Email: animalcontrol@mckinneytexas.org
Animal Control delivers effective, courteous, and responsive animal care and control services to residents. Animal Control accomplishes these goals by helping protect people and their property along with acting as a humane organization that protects animals.
Some concerns Animal Control addresses are:
- Rabies control and other zoonotic diseases
- Ownership limitation requirements
- Vaccination requirements
- Stray and/or abandoned animals
- Unsanitary conditions
- Neglected / abused animals
- Enforcement of City, State and Federal Laws
- Other animal-related issues, including wildlife & livestock
Contact the Animal Control office at (972) 547-7445 during normal business hours, Monday – Saturday,
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. After hours contact the Police non-emergency number at (972) 547-2800.
Pet Registration:
The City is currently investigating available options for pet registration. Currently a valid rabies tag will be acceptable. Please check the website in the future for updates on pet registration.
Traps:
The City of McKinney provides residents with box traps free of charge for 10 days. To receive a trap, call the Animal Control office at (972) 547-7445. A current driver’s license or ID is required and someone must be home to receive the trap. At the time of delivery, residents will be asked to sign a damage/loss waiver and the officer will explain the operation, baiting and placement procedures for the trap issued. Once captured, Animal Control will remove the animal. Due to the dangers involved with handling wildlife, do not try to relocate animals on your own.
Animal Shelter Services:
The City of McKinney currently contracts sheltering services through:
Collin County Animal Shelter
4750 Community Dr
McKinney, TX 75070
(972) 547-7292
To look for a lost pet or to redeem an impounded animal, please visit this location during their business hours of 9 a.m. -6 p.m. Monday - Friday and 10:00a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Saturday. Please remember to bring your pet’s current rabies vaccination paperwork from the vet. No pet will be released from impound without being currently vaccinated against rabies. If the animal is not currently vaccinated or proof cannot be provided, the animal will be vaccinated, at the owner’s expense, prior to release.
Barking Dog Complaints:
Notify Animal Control at (972) 547-7445 to file a complaint. The address of the barking dog is required. Animal Services will send a letter to the owner of the barking dog notifying them of the complaint. (The identity of the complainant is confidential). If a second complaint is received within 10 days after the first letter then Animal Services will send an officer to talk to the owner. If the letter and visit from the officer do not satisfy the problem, the complainant must file a complaint with Municipal Court. Animal Control Officers will not issue citations for barking dogs.
Wildlife:
Due to McKinney’s rapid growth into areas that once were rural, residents often encounter local wildlife. Some of the animals that may be encountered include: opossums, raccoons, skunks, snakes, foxes, bobcats, bats, squirrels, and armadillos. Although most wild animals pose no threat to humans if left alone, there are steps you can take to protect your pets from harm.
- Secure pets indoors at night
- Supervise pets at all times
- Do not leave pet food, water or food storage areas easily accessible
- Do not put trash out until the day of pick up
- Refrain from walking pets during nighttime or early morning hours
Feeding any kind of wildlife reduces the animal’s natural fear of humans.
For more information on wildlife in Texas please check out the Texas Parks and Wildlife website: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/nature/wild/
Rabies Vaccine Information:
Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies by 4 months of age and on a 1 year or 3 year basis thereafter depending on the type of vaccine used. All dogs and cats must receive a second rabies vaccination within one year of receiving their first vaccination, regardless of the type of vaccine used or the age at which the animal was initially vaccinated. For an animal to be considered currently vaccinated against rabies, at least 30 days must have elapsed since the initial vaccination and not more than 12 or 36 months (depending on the vaccine used) can have elapsed since the last vaccination.
F.A.Q’s:
Q: How many animals am I allowed to have?
A: The City of McKinney allows you to keep or harbor a total of seven animals of which no more than four dogs are permitted or four cats in the aggregate, three months of age or older, on any premises used or zoned for residential purposes.
Q: Does McKinney have a “pooper scooper” law?
A: Yes, pet owners are required to pick up after their pets. Failure to do so could result in a citation.
Q: Am I allowed to have chickens in the city limits?
A: Yes, the City of McKinney allows residents to keep up to 12 hens as long as they are kept in a proper enclosure. However, no roosters of any kind may be kept in the city limits. Other fowl that are prohibited in McKinney are ducks, geese, turkeys, guineas and peacocks.
Q: Does McKinney have a leash law?
A: Yes, all animals must be confined to the owner’s property by an adequate fence or leash. When off the owner’s property, the animal must be on a leash of no more than six feet in length.