Smith County Animal Control 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.

Important Resources

• Printable Adoption Application or Online Adoption Application
• Animal Control and Shelter Fee Schedule
• New Rescue Application
• 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. The shelter hours open to the pubic are Monday through Friday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; with special adoption events on an occasional Saturday. If you wish to come before 12 noon you may schedule an appointment  by calling 903-266-4303. 

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: 903-266-4303

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 8 a.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 

Fire Marshal Chad Hogue

Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue is currently overseeing the Animal Control and Shelter Department. He can be reached at 903-590-2650.

Animal Control Mission Statement

We are Smith County Animal Services, a compassionate team of animal welfare professionals. Through our Field Services, we aim to protect community members and neglected animals by enforcing laws and educating the public. Through our Shelter Services, we provide quality care and seek positive outcomes for all animals that come through our doors. We are a resource for our community and work to keep people and their pets together where possible. 

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.