City Council approves Huntsville Animal Services increase to voluntary animal surrender fee

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Huntsville City Council approved the updated fees proposed by the Huntsville Animal Services at Thursday’s meeting.

HAS told News 19 that the City Council approved the updated charges for confinement and caring for animals at the shelter. The main difference for residents, HAS Director John Fischer said, is that there is an increase in the surrender fee.

“The Huntsville City Council approved an amendment to Chapter 5, Division II of Article II of the City’s Code of Ordinances regarding voluntary animal surrenders. As part of this change, the surrender fee will increase from $35 to $50. This small increase helps us cover the actual costs of caring for an animal when it first arrives, including important things like vaccines, microchips, and a full health check-up. We want to make sure every animal that comes into our care gets the best possible start. The fee helps offset these expenses and allows Huntsville Animal Services to continue offering high-quality care for every pet that enters the shelter,” the City of Huntsville told News 19.

The other fees for the shelter are as follows:

Impoundment
- $50 first offense per animal
- $75 second offense per animal
- $100 for third or subsequent offense per animal
Boarding
- $10 per day per animal
Sterilization
- $60 per dog
- $50 per cat
Adoption fees
- $0-$250 per dog or cat
- $0-$1,000 per animal for all other shelter animals, livestock, pocket pet, birds or exotic animals
Microchip placement and registration
- $20 per animal
Euthanasia
- $35 per animal
Heartworm checks
- $10 per animal
Feline Leukemia Virus/Feline Immunodeficiency Virus test
- $35 per animal
Owner surrender fee
- $50 per animal
Investigative Hold fees
- $100 per animal for impound/initial holding fee
- $45 per day per animal for daily holding/boarding fee
HAS classes
- $35 per Dangerous Dog Class
- $35 per PAWS class