Animal Control

dogs on table

Animal Control Ordinance

Responsibilities & Regulations Enforced

Opelika has one Animal Control Officer (ACO) whose primary duty is to enforce Opelika’s Animal Control Ordinance. The majority of the stray dogs he picks up are taken to the Lee County Humane Society. He also responds to cases of animal neglect and cruelty.

ACO will pick up any animal which is not controlled by an adequate leash or tether, or is not under the owner’s control. During breeding season all female dogs and cats should be confined. ACO does not pick up cats. To trap cats residents may

Every person who owns a dog or cat over the age of four months shall secure on an annual basis a rabies vaccination. Dogs are required to wear the vaccination tag on a durable collar or harness. Cats are not required to wear their vaccination tag.

The following animals may be impounded:

  • Animals that have been bitten by an animal suspected of rabies
  • Any animal running at large
  • Any dog not wearing a current rabies vaccination tag
  • Viscous or dangerous animals

State law requires that anyone bitten or scratched by an animal must file a bite report with the Opelika Police Department. The report is forwarded to the Lee County Rabies Control officer.

If you are considering housing chickens on your property please refer to the animal control ordinance and specifically to section Sec. 4-73. - Keeping of Chickens and Sec. 4-74. - Large Animals and Fowl. If you have any questions contact Opelika Planning Department for permitting or Animal Control Department. 

For emergencies after hours, please call the Opelika Police Department at 334-705-5200.

Spay Neuter Program

The Spay Neuter Your Pet (SNYP) program is designed to help prevent pet overpopulation and to aid members of our community who cannot otherwise afford to have their pets spayed or neutered. The program is financed by the City of Auburn, the City of Opelika, the City of Smiths Station and the Lee County Commission.

Applicants must come into one of the participating offices to fill out an application. Locations include the Animal Health Center and the Opelika Animal Hospital and will accept applications on Monday and Tuesday between 10 a.m. and Noon. Applicants will receive a voucher and can go to a vet clinic of their choosing. To participate, applicants must provide proof of one of the following: Medicaid or a combined household income of $25,000 or less. In addition, he or she must be a citizen of Lee County and provide proof of rabies vaccination.

The SNYP covers the cost of the spay or neuter surgery. If it’s recommended that a pet receive additional services, such as disease testing or prevention or blood work, SNYP will not cover these costs. The costs to spay or neuter is as follows: $5 for felines and $10 for canines and rabies.

For more information about specifics of the SNYP program, please call Lee County Environmental Services at 334-737-7013 or Commissioner Robert Ham at 334-319-0691.