Show All Answers

1. What do I need to adopt a dog, a cat, or other pet from the shelter?

If you are considering pet adoption, please stop by the animal shelter during regular business hours or see available pets online and find your forever friend!.

2. Do I need to license and/or register my pet?

At this time the City of Sugar Land does not have a license or registration program. State law does require that all dogs and cats over 4 months of age be current on their rabies vaccination. The city does require the rabies tag be displayed on your pet’s collar.

3. What if I found a deceased animal?

If the animal is on your property, you may remove the animal using gloves or a shovel to avoid direct contact and place the animal in a garbage bag. It is okay to place it in your garbage bin for pickup on your scheduled trash day. If you are unable to do so, you may call a private dead animal removal company. If the animal is in the road, median, or on public property, please contact Animal Services for assistance.

4. Does Animal Services provide traps for nuisance animals and/or wildlife?

No, Sugar Land Animal Services does not service private traps for wildlife.

If you do trap any wildlife, we ask that you please release the animal back into the same area where you trapped it. If you are unable to do so, you may contact a pest control or wildlife control service. Some animals are illegal to transport per the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, including the transportation of raccoons, which is a class C misdemeanor. 

Our traps are live humane traps used for cats running at large only. Traps are available for 10 business days on a first come, first serve basis. Traps may be set from Sunday evening through 3 p.m. Friday and must be shut down for the weekends and holidays. Traps can be picked up at our facility. If you do trap a cat, you must bring the trap with the cat inside to our facility in order for us to impound the cat. If you inadvertently trap wildlife, you would need to release the animal back into the same area where you trapped it, unless it is a raccoon or skunk. If you trap either a raccoon or skunk, please contact Animal Services for removal and release. Please note that the animal will be release animal into the same general vicinity where it was trapped.

Trapping should be a last resort for wildlife!

Nature loves a vacuum. Removing the animal will just provide the opportunity for another to take its place. Many studies have proved that the majority of relocated animals do not survive. The best thing you can do for wildlife is to leave them alone. To solve the problem, the food source, shelter and water need to be removed or you will just get a replacement.

More information:

• Top 10 Ways to Prevent Wildlife Problems
• Coexisting with local wildlife

5. Does the shelter offer veterinary services?

At this time, the City’s animal shelter does not offer any veterinary services to the public. Sugar Land is home to many wonderful veterinarians and practices. We suggest searching the internet, or asking a neighbor for a recommendation. If you are in need of low cost alternatives, you can contact one of the following.

• Petco on Highway 6 by Luv My pet at 281.265.0700
• KAAWS at 281-200-2325
• Greater Good at 281-496-5983
• Houston Humane Society Wellness Clinic at 713-433-6453
  
  

6. What is the shelter's approach to TNR (Trap, Neuter and Release)?

The City does not have a Trap Neuter and Release Program (TNR), and it is currently prohibited by City Ordinance. The City’s Animal Advisory Board recently approved the implementation of a pilot TNR program in a targeted area. The purpose of the pilot program is to determine the feasibility of an expanded program. Upon completion of the program, results will be reviewed with the Animal Advisory Board.

Until such time as the ordinances are modified, residents and animal advocates are advised to remain compliant with City ordinances. Anyone with hands-on experience working with feral cat colonies that is interested in assisting with the pilot program is encouraged to reach out via email at animalservices@sugarlandtx.gov.

7. What is the shelter's position on "No Kill"?

Some No Kill facilities pre-screen what they will take into their shelter. Less desirable animals are not admitted or transferred to other facilities. Sugar Land's animal shelter is tasked with taking in all animals in our jurisdiction including strays, abandoned and injured animals, those with health issues from neglect, transmittable diseases, behavior issues, and aggression.

The "No Kill" Concept

A No Kill shelter is a great concept, but in reality even a No Kill shelter can euthanize 5-10% of its intake and still be considered No Kill. Maddie's Fund, an organization dedicated to increased community lifesaving, shelter medicine education, and pet adoptions across the U.S., defines a No-Kill shelter as “an animal shelter that does not kill healthy or treatable animals even when the shelter is full, reserving euthanasia for unhealthy and untreatable animals.” Maddie’s Fund also has detailed definitions for healthy, treatable, rehabilitatable and manageable animals.

Working Towards Forever Homes

The City’s Animal Shelter does not promote itself as a "no kill" animal shelter but does actively utilize multiple "no kill" strategies to ensure adoptable animals find a forever home. Even though the animal shelter has exceeded its capacity since 2015, the animal shelter does not euthanize for space.  In addition, the City utilizes the following "no kill" strategies to ensure animals are adopted:

• Low-cost spay/neuter services
• Rescue groups
• Foster care (internal program)
• Comprehensive adoption programs
• Pet retention programs
• Medical and behavior programs
• Public Relations/Community Involvement
• Volunteer programs
• Proactive redemptions
• Compassionate Director
  
  

8. What should I do if I find a snake in my house or yard?

Snakes are nomadic and will usually move on very quickly. Most of the snakes in our area are Texas rat snakes which are non-venomous. If the snake is in your yard, wait a while. They are generally passing through. If the snake is in your garage, you can leave the garage door open for a while and wait for the snake to find its own way out. If you have a snake in your home, you will need to contact a pest control or wildlife removal company for assistance.

9. What other agencies are there in the area?

• Fort Bend County Animal Services
  1210 Blume Road
  Rosenberg, TX 77471
  Ph: 281-342-1512
• Rosenberg Animal Control
  1207 Blume Road
  Rosenberg, TX 77471-4071
  Ph: 832-595-3490
• Stafford Animal Control
  2702 S. Main St.
  Stafford, TX 77477-5599
  Ph: 281-261-3950
• Katy Animal Control
  25839 Interstate 10 E
  Katy, TX 77494
  Ph: 281-391-4740
• Missouri City Animal Control
  3849 Cartwright Road
  Missouri City, TX 77459-2443
  Ph: 281-403-8707
• Harris County Animal Service
  Ph: 281-999-3191
• BARC
  3200 Carr St.
  Houston, TX 77026
  Ph: 713-229-7300
• Houston Humane Society
  Ph: 713-433-6421
• Houston SPCA
  Ph: 713-869-7722
• CAPS-Citizens for Animal Protection Society
  Ph: 281-497-0591
• HOPE
  Ph:713-622-4673