Animal Control

Condensed from Ordinance No.06-5

Keeping of Dogs and Cats

  • All cats and dogs kept within the city limits of Huntsville must be vaccinated for rabies annually.
  • No animals shall be permitted to run free within the city limits.
  • The city’s Animal Control Officer shall impound any animals running free within the city limits.  Animals will be held at the Madison County Pet Shelter.
  • If your animal is impounded:
    • You must first pay a $25 fee at the City Clerk’s office in the City Hall building, located at 208 E. War Eagle.  Office hours are 8-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
    • You must take the receipt to the Madison County Pet Shelter in order to retrieve your animal.  No animals will be released without providing your receipt.  Additionally, owners are responsible for boarding fees charged by the shelter.
    • Unvaccinated animals will be required to have the rabies vaccine, at the expense of the owner, before being released to the owners.

Keeping of Livestock and Fowl

  • Large-hoofed livestock
    • Within the city limits the keeping of horses, cows, or other large-hoofed animals is permitted in an enclosed, properly-fenced area containing a minimum of two (2) acres.  You are permitted one (1) large-hoofed animal per acre.  The property also must be zoned R-E or R-1.  See zoning map here.  Any person possessing livestock within the city limits must complete an APPLICATION FOR LIVESTOCK PERMIT and turn it in to the City Clerk’s office annually by Dec. 31.  There is no fee for the permit.
  • Small-hoofed livestock
    • Within the city limits the keeping of sheep, goats, or other small-hoofed animals is permitted in an enclosed, properly-fenced area containing a minimum of two (2) acres.  You are permitted two (2) small-hoofed animal per acre.  The property also must be zoned R-E or R-1.  See zoning map here.  Any person possessing livestock within the city limits must complete an APPLICATION FOR LIVESTOCK PERMIT and turn it in to the City Clerk’s office annually by Dec. 31.  There is no fee for the permit.
  • Fowl (chickens, ducks, guineas, and other small fowl)
    • Within the city limits the keeping of chickens, ducks, guineas, pheasant, quail, or other small fowl is permitted where they are maintained in an area containing a minimum of two (2) acres.  Properties with two (2) or more acres are permitted to keep no more than twenty-five (25) total fowl per acre.  Property must be zoned R-E or R-1.  See zoning map here. 
    • EXCEPTION (Ord. No. 06-5):  A single family residence that does not meet the minimum acreage or zoning requirements is permitted to keep up to three (3) chickens. 
    • No roosters or other fowl shall be allowed under this exception. 
    • Any person possessing livestock within the city limits must complete an APPLICATION FOR LIVESTOCK PERMIT and turn it in to the City Clerk’s office annually by Dec. 31.  There is no fee for the permit.
  • Swine and Other Large Fowl
    • Swine or Large Fowl including, but not limited to ostriches, emus, peacocks, or turkeys are NOT permitted within the city limits. 
  • 4-H, FFA, or school-related exception
    • Nothing in this ordinance shall prohibit school children, who are actively enrolled in 4-H, FFA or school-related projects involving the raising of livestock animals or fowl, from keeping said livestock or fowl even if the property is not zoned R-E or R-1, but otherwise meets the requirements of this chapter.  (Ord. No. 06-5, Sec. 7.)

Please report any animal control issues to the Huntsville Police Department at 479.738.2610.