Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the City of Joshua require my pet to be licensed?
- No. We do not require pets to be licensed with the city. However, city ordinance states that your pet must wear a current rabies tag and be microchipped. Microchip numbers must be provided to Joshua Animal services. Rabies vaccinations are required by local and State law. (91.025(B) & Ch. 826, Sub. Ch. C 826.021 Texas Health & Safety Code).
- Where can I see a list of available pets for adoption?
- What are the fees and requirements for adopting a pet from Joshua Animal Services?
- Our regular adoption fee is $140 and includes spay/neuter, all vaccinations, microchip, and more. For more information about our adoption policies, please click HERE.
- If an animal is impounded as a stray, how long is the animal held before becoming available for adoption or other disposition?
- We hold all stray animals a minimum of three days, not including the day of impound, before a disposition is made. If a stray animal comes in with ID (rabies tag, ID tag, microchip, etc.), the animal is held for 10 days. Once contact with an owner is made, the owner has 3 days to reclaim the animal. After the hold period is complete, if the animal has not been reclaimed, ownership is divested and the animal is the legal property of Joshua Animal Services. Please see 2.02.001 Impoundment and Redemption for more information
- Is there a fee to surrender owned animals to Joshua Animal Services?
- Yes, there is a fee to surrender an animal. For a single pet it is $20.00. For a litter it is $35.
- I need to rehome my pet. Will you take owner surrenders?
- Joshua Animal Services will accept owner surrenders from citizens that reside within the city limits of Joshua if space is available. Non-Emergency owner surrenders are accepted on a case-by-case basis. To discuss owner surrender options, please email animalservices@cityofjoshuatx.us.
- Owners may also consider using a third-party rehoming website such as Rehome.
- Is there a fee to bring stray or abandoned animals to Joshua Animal Services?
- No, we do not charge a fee for public drop off of stray pets. Space is often limited, so there is no guarantee that the shelter to take the animal.
- I found or have a pet outside city limits that I need to surrender. Can I bring the animal to the Joshua Animal Shelter?
- No. Joshua Animal Services is a municipal agency so we cannot take animals or serve residents outside the city limits. For services in your area, please contact your town, city, or county agency where you reside.
- Is Joshua Animal Services a "No Kill" shelter?
- No, we are not. We work very hard to place adoptable pets in loving homes or with reputable rescues but we are an open intake, municipal facility and due to the large volume of pets we receive, "no kill" status is unattainable at this time. To our knowledge, Operation Kindness in Carrollton and ASPCA in Dallas are the only no kill facilities in the North Texas area.
- Where is the nearest low cost spay/neuter clinic?
- TCAP in Burleson is the nearest low cost spay/neuter clinic. The Shelter also has low cost spay/neuter transports every other Wednesday. These transports are through Spay Neuter Network. PetSense and Tractor Supply have low-cost vaccination and preventative care on weekends. Please check with them for details.