Animal Control

Animal Control enforces state and local animal control laws to ensure the safety of Marfa citizens and visitors by patrolling Marfa for stray animals, responding to citizen complaints, and maintaining the City's animal shelter..

State law and city ordinances include but are not limited to large animal permits, and control of small animals’ vaccinations, registration, impoundment, animal bites. Dogs are not allowed in certain city parks. There are designated dog parks at Sunset Park at the corner of Oak and Russell Streets.

The dog parks are allowed for use at the owner’s own risk. Owners are legally responsible for the dog’s behavior at all times. Dog handlers must be at least 16 years of age, and children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult and supervised at all times. There is an adjacent dog park for small dogs that weigh less than 30 pounds.

City ordinance requires all dogs and cats over four months old to have an annual rabies vaccination approved by the Texas Department of Health and administered by a veterinarian. The animal must always wear a metal vaccination tag(s) that include the year of the vaccination, ownership information, and a certification number and the owner must keep on file a current vaccination certificate.

It’s unlawful for owners to allow their animals to become a public nuisance by running at large, bothering passersby, and/or attacking other animals. Animal owners are responsible for keeping their pets on a leash when off their property and picking up after their pets. It is a violation of the City Ordinance to allow the dog to roam and a dog owner can and will be held responsible for their dog’s actions when the animal is off their property.

Animal control and the animal shelter can be reached by phone at (432) 295-0289, or call the Marfa Police Department at (432) 729-1841.