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Animal Control

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1. What if I've lost my pet?

Please come into the shelter at least every other day. The shelter staff may have your pet listed as a different breed or mix or may be described differently than your description. You are the best person to identify your pet. When and animal is impounded it is checked for any form of visible identification and is scanned for a microchip. Even if your pet has identification, do not depend on a phone call. Collars and tags fall off and microchips are sometimes unreadable or untraceable. By law we must hold every animal a minimum of three days to give the owner a chance to find their pet. Begin checking the shelters immediately in person to look for your pet.

2. What if I've found a pet?

West Valley and other local ordinances require citizens to turn strays over to their local animal shelter within 24 hours. The pet will have a greater chance of being reunited with it's owner if it comes into the local animal shelter. Do not set the pet "free". It may be hit by a vehicle, attacked by another animal or may be scared and run further from it's home.

3. What can I do about a barking dog in my neighborhood?

See the "Barking Process" and "Barking Log" forms. More...

4. Why does my pet require a pet license?

This is one way of ensuring that your pet is vaccinated for the rabies virus. It may also be your pet's ticket home if it should become lost. If an injured animal is picked up and is wearing a pet license it will receive medical care if needed. All dogs, cats, ferrets and pot-bellied pigs are required to be licensed in West Valley City. A rabies vaccination is required on ALL dogs, cats and ferrets.

5. I can't keep my pet any longer, will my pet be adopted or euthanized (put to sleep)?

Unfortunately our shelter cannot guarantee that your pet will be adopted. After you sign the pet over to the shelter you have no legal ownership of the pet any longer and the city has no further obligation to hold the pet. Strays are required to be held for 3 days and therefore an owner-relinquished pet may be euthanized to open kennel space for a stray. There is a fee to turn the pet over to our shelter. This small fee may pay for housing, food and care or may cover the disposal fee if the animal is euthanized. Try placing the pet into another home on your own or you may want to contact the local Humane Society for help.

6. There are dogs running around my neighborhood, what can I do?

Call Animal Services immediately and be prepared to give a detailed description of the dog. If you know where the dog lives give that address to the shelter staff. We will go directly to the pet owner and address the concern with them. If the dog is friendly, put it in your yard and hold it until the officer can pick it up. Often times the dogs are gone by the time an officer can respond. If you feel threatened at all by the dog please do not risk getting bitten, call Animal Services and let them know about it's aggressive behavior.

7. What do I do if I have been bitten by an animal or if my pet has bitten someone?

State law requires all animal bites to be reported to local animal control or the Health Department within 24 hours. If the animal has bitten and run off, make sure you can give an accurate description of the animal and which direction it went. An officer will respond and try to obtain the suspect animal. If your pet has bitten, report it to Animal Services and arrangements will be discussed for quarantine. Any animal that has bitten or has been bitten will be required to be placed on quarantine for a minimum of 10 days from the bite.

8. How can I help the homeless pets of Utah?

Spay and neuter your pet and encourage others to do the same. When adopting a new family pet adopt from an animal shelter. You will be saving the lives of two animals at the shelter, the one you adopt and the one who needs the kennel. Always have identification on your pet so it can be returned to you if it becomes lost, you may also want to have it microchipped. Contact your local animal shelter and ask about volunteering. Education materials can be obtained from the animal shelter and distributed to your community or group. Start a fund raiser and donate to your local animal shelter or purchase supplies for the shelter. Call the shelter and ask for a list of needed items. Become a foster parent for a stray animal that may be too young, too old or too sick or injured to be held for adoption. Donate Wish List