Reporting Animal Cruelty
If you witness any animal cruelty including the chaining of dogs or animals not having access to food, shade, shelter, water or needed veterinary care, DOCUMENT what you see with pictures or video to supply to the Animal Cruelty Investigator. You DO NOT have to provide your name.
- Residents within the San Antonio city limits should call 311 and request non-emergency police to report animal cruelty.
- Residents outside the city limits but within Bexar County should call 311 and request the Sheriff’s Department, or call (210) 335-6010 or (210) 207-6000.
If those contacts do not produce results, contact the Manager of Field Operations at Animal Care Services (formerly the dog pound) at (210) 270-6657. Documenting the cruelty with photographs or video to share with law enforcement is very helpful.
Cruelty to Animals
The definition of cruelty to animals according to Texas law is:
(a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally or knowingly:
(1) tortures an animal;(2) fails unreasonably to provide necessary food, care, or shelter for an animal in the person's custody;(3) abandons unreasonably an animal in the person's custody;(4) transports or confines an animal in a cruel manner;(5) kills, seriously injures, or administers poison to an animal, other than cattle, horses, sheep, swine, or goats, belonging to another without legal authority or the owner's effective consent;(6) causes one animal to fight with another;(7) uses a live animal as a lure in dog race training or in dog coursing on a racetrack;(8) trips a horse;(9) injures an animal, other than cattle, horses, sheep, swine, or goats, belonging to another without legal authority or the owner's effective consent; or(10) seriously overworks an animal.
Spay/Neuter Resources
San Antonio has come a long way in our struggle to reduce the numbers of homeless animals, but there is still much to do. You can help by having all your companion animals spayed (if female) or neutered (if male). In addition to lowering the population of homeless and unloved animals, other advantages include a reduced desire to roam and an increased lifespan.
Your veterinarian can perform the surgery or you can look to one of several Spay/Neuter clinics in San Antonio, most of which require appointments. If you live in one of the listed zip codes, you may also qualify for free surgery while funding is available. For a list of area clinics, visit San Antonio Animal Care Services. If you live outside the city limits or in an unlisted zip code, clinics may still offer low-cost services.
- 78201
- 78202
- 78203
- 78204
- 78207
- 78208
- 78210
- 78211
- 78213
Proof of Residency
Most clinics in the city will need you to show them an ID or a bill with your address. Before you take your pet to the clinic, check with them about what you need to prove where you live.
- 78214
- 78218
- 78219
- 78220
- 78221
- 78222
- 78223
- 78224
- 78225
- 78226
- 78227
- 78228
- 78229
- 78235
- 78237
- 78238
- 78242
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Emergency Veterinary Clinics in San Antonio
San Antonio is experiencing a shortage of qualified veterinarians, and some clinics may not have a vet on duty at all times. Please call ahead to confirm availability before visiting.
- Thrive Clinics (Multiple Locations)