Frequently Asked Questions
A Service Provided by the Animal Services Division
What is Rabies and How Do People Get It?
Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. People get rabies from the bite of an animal with rabies (a rabid animal). Any wild mammal, like a raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote or bat, can have rabies and transmit it to people.
How does Animal Services handle "Lost and Found" animals?
The Animal Services Division keeps a running log on "lost and found" animals.
Anytime you are missing a pet, or have found some one else's pet, report it to our division immediately. We have been successful in reuniting many pets with their owners through this service.
We encourage the adoption of unclaimed animals. If you are considering pet ownership, please consider a homeless pet. For further information or looking for a pet to adopt, please contact our division Animal Services at 281.275.ADOG (2364) or visit our Pet of the Week page.
Does my pet require Tags?
At this time, we do not require that your pet be registered with our city. We do, however, require that your pet wear a current rabies tag at all times. Rabies vaccinations are required triennially; please consult with your veterinarian for full details.
What can I do about bothersome wildlife in my area?
Sugar Land is home to an abundant wildlife population. Locally you will frequently find squirrels, opossums, raccoons, skunks, bats, snakes, nutria and deer.
All of these animals adapt readily to a suburban environment, so their presence in your community is normal. We encourage you to live in harmony with wildlife. Simple measures can often alleviate conflicts between humans and wild animals.
Listed below are several examples of humane solutions:
- Small wildlife tearing into your trash at home can be avoided by simply securing the lid on trash receptacles with bungee cords
- Another reason that wild animals will enter your yard is due to animal owners feeding their pets outdoors, and can be eliminated by altering your routine
- Do not store large amounts of firewood at your home and keep birdbath water levels minimal
- Build your decking and sheds on concrete pads, without gaps underneath to make these areas undesirable to wildlife which like to make a home underneath such structures
- Wildlife seeking shelter in your attic can be handled by simply repairing the entry hole while the animal is away (at night for nocturnal animals, during the day for diurnal) some sonic repellant devices work well to drive the animal away humanely
- Skunks visiting frequently can indicate a grub problem in your yard, a gardening plan can work wonders
- If all other measures have failed you, then it may be time to consider contacting a pest control service (permits are required to trap), but if you do not remove the mitigating factors mentioned above then you will simply be removing one nuisance pest and making room for another one to move in
Is trapping and transporting animals allowed?
The trapping of a wild animal should always be the last resort.
The transport of certain wild animals is not allowed, and there are restrictions on how far a professional may take them so to trap an animal only to have it relocated it a short distance away will not cure your problem. Eliminating factors on your property will make your home less desirable for wildlife to make it their home.
