Animal Control

The City's Animal Control Department is staffed by one Sr. Animal Control Officer and three animal control officers who under the direction of the Environmental Health Director promote responsible pet ownership through education and enforcement of the City's Animal Control Ordinance. Officers also respond to citizen concerns regarding stray and/or vicious animals, provide assistance to the Harlingen Police Department in the investigation and disposition of possible cruelty to animal cases, investigate and address citizen bee call complaints, and patrol City streets in an attempt to address animals running at large and remove dead animal carcasses.

Bite incident investigations take priority over all other responsibilities. Officers investigate and impound

animal(s) involved in a bite incidents at the City Animal Shelter located at 1106 Markowsky Street in Harlingen where they are monitored for signs of rabies as per State requirements. Animal Control Officers are also responsible for patrolling all city streets on a daily basis in an effort to address animals running at large and remove dead animal carcasses. Once a year the city offers low-cost rabies clinics to citizens at a number of convenient locations throughout the City. These clinics are historically held during the months of March and/or April of each year. We encourage all citizens to take advantage of these low cost clinics. Remember keeping your pet vaccinated is also the LAW. Link to Animal Control Ordinance:  Chapter 6: Animals