Animal Control

Our Animal Control Officers are responsible for enforcing all City animal ordinances and assisting the Jackson Police Department in upholding state laws related to animal welfare. Their work includes responding to loose or stray animals, addressing cruelty and neglect cases, managing reports of dangerous or aggressive dogs, and helping resolve conflicts between animals and people.

Often, our officers are the first point of contact in difficult situations, working to find solutions that prioritize safety, compassion, and legal compliance. They respond to service calls and complaints Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For emergencies outside of those hours, calls must be routed through the Jackson Police Department.

With a growing population and thousands of pet-owning households in our city, our officers stay busy and we appreciate your patience and understanding. If you see something concerning, please don’t wait. Reporting issues early helps us respond more effectively and prevent problems from escalating.

animal control faqs

Every animal in Jackson is legally required to have consistent access to food, clean water, and proper shelter. Pets must be fed enough to stay in good health and have fresh water available at all times. Shelter must protect animals from current weather conditions. Shade is required in summer, and a fully enclosed, insulated dog house is required in winter.

Improper shelter like barrels, broken pallets, or open crates does not offer enough protection and may result in injury, illness, or death. Our officers regularly respond to cases of heat stroke and hypothermia that could have been prevented. If you’re unsure whether your shelter meets standards or if you need assistance, we’re here to help without judgment. Let’s work together to keep pets safe and comfortable year-round.

Improper Shelter: Thin plastic barrels, makeshift wood frames, or open-sided crates do not protect pets from rain, wind, or extreme temperatures. These setups are unacceptable in any season.

Proper Shelter: A suitable doghouse is fully enclosed, windproof, and raised off the ground. It must offer shade separate from the doghouse in summer and contain bedding like straw or wood shavings in winter. Winter bedding assistance is available for qualifying pet owners through JACC.

Tennessee law requires all dogs and cats to be vaccinated for rabies annually. In addition to rabies, we strongly recommend vaccines for other common diseases such as parvovirus, distemper, leptospirosis, FIV, and FeLV. Vaccinating your pet protects their health and helps prevent the spread of contagious illnesses in our community.

By law, your dog must be confined to your property at all times using a secure method such as a physical fence, underground system, or tie-out cable. If your dog is tethered, the area must be clean, the chain must be light enough not to cause harm, and your pet must have space to move freely and your dog must be spayed or neutered.

Dogs are not allowed to roam off your property without a leash. If your pet is found running at large, it may be impounded by Animal Control Officers.

We offer humane traps for residents dealing with feral or stray cats, but availability is limited, and requests are prioritized based on urgency. Calls involving loose dogs or aggressive animals take precedence.

If you provide your own trap, we can pick up the cat once it’s safely contained, usually the same day, and return the trap within 24 hours. Contact us if you’re dealing with a colony or persistent issues in your area.

Animal Control does not handle wildlife, rodents, or small pest problems. If you’re experiencing issues with raccoons, opossums, squirrels, rats, or other small pests, please contact a licensed pest control company. We are not certified or insured to remove or relocate wild animals.

The City of Jackson offers free deceased animal removal for residents within city limits. For animals located on private property, the animal must be bagged and placed near the nearest roadway for pickup. This service is available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and can be requested by calling Health and Sanitation at 731-425-8545.

After-hours, weekend, or holiday pickups are only available for large animals creating a road hazard. These situations must be reported through the Jackson Police Department for emergency dispatch.

The City of Jackson’s domestic animal ordinances promote responsible pet ownership and community safety. All dogs and cats over six months old must have a current rabies vaccination and be spayed or neutered unless exempt, with an annual fee for unaltered pets. Dogs must be kept under control and not allowed to roam freely. The city also has a Vicious Dog Committee that reviews cases to ensure public safety and fair handling of incidents.

For a full explanation of all requirements, click here.

Our goal is to keep both pets and people safe, informed, and supported. If you didn’t find the answer you were looking for, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help guide you through any situation involving animal care or control in Jackson.

dog and cat

Adoptions

Meet the pets ready for loving homes! Each profile includes personality notes and care details. Not all animals are listed online, so stop by to meet them in person. Adoption includes spay/neuter, vaccines, and more.

Lost & Found Pets

We help reunite lost pets with their families and care for animals found within the Jackson city limits. If you’ve lost or found a pet, contact us for guidance. We’re here to help every step of the way.

dog
dog

Lost & Found Pets

We help reunite lost pets with their families and care for animals found within the Jackson city limits. If you’ve lost or found a pet, contact us for guidance. We’re here to help every step of the way.

cats

Community Cat TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return)

TNR is a humane, long-term approach to managing the outdoor cat population. Rather than removing and euthanizing feral cats, a method proven to be ineffective, we trap, sterilize, and return them to their environment to live out their lives without reproducing. This reduces intake at shelters and helps stop the cycle of unwanted litters. If you’ve noticed a colony in your neighborhood or want to volunteer with this growing program, please get in touch. Together, we can protect these cats and our community.

Surrendering a Pet

We understand that surrendering a pet is never easy. If you’re no longer able to care for your animal, please call us to discuss your options. Appointments are required for all surrenders and availability is limited.

dog
dog

Surrendering a Pet

We understand that surrendering a pet is never easy. If you’re no longer able to care for your animal, please call us to discuss your options. Appointments are required for all surrenders and availability is limited.

Community Assistance Programs

At Jackson Animal Care Center, we believe that supporting pet owners is just as important as caring for animals. Our Community Help programs are designed to keep pets in loving homes by providing essential resources to those who need them most. Whether it’s affordable spay/neuter services, assistance with food, or access to basic pet care supplies, we’re here to lend a hand when times are tough because healthy pets and supported owners make for a stronger community.

We believe every pet deserves a healthy, safe life, and that starts with prevention. Our low-cost spay and neuter voucher program helps Jackson residents afford this essential procedure, reducing the number of unwanted litters and easing the burden on our shelter system. Spaying or neutering your pet not only prevents overpopulation but also promotes better behavior and long-term health.

Contact us during regular business hours for more information.

Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes that means falling on hard times. We understand how much your pet means to you, and we never want anyone to face the heartbreaking choice of giving up their animal because of financial strain. Our Pet Food Bank is designed to provide short-term assistance so your pet can stay right where they belong, by your side. Contact us during regular business hours and we’ll work with you to get the support you need.

We know that many loving pet owners sometimes lack access to basic pet care supplies and we’re here to help. Our pet retention program is a community support initiative that provides essential items like shelter, collars, leashes, and more to pet owners in need. This program ensures animals are cared for, comfortable, and safe without requiring families to part with their pets. If you or someone you know is struggling to meet these needs, reach out to learn how we can help uplift both pets and their people.