Echols County Animal Control & Shelter Services
Public Safety | Animal Welfare | Responsible Pet Ownership
Echols County is committed to protecting public safety, promoting responsible pet ownership, and ensuring the humane treatment of animals.
Animal control and shelter services for Echols County are provided through a contractual agreement with Alapaha Animal Control & Shelter.
Contact Animal Control
Alapaha Animal Control & Shelter
Animal Control Officer: Charles (Chuck) Jones
155 E. Main Street
Lakeland, GA 31635
Phone: (229) 561-4188
Regular Service Hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Emergency animal control services are available outside regular business hours for qualifying emergencies.
For immediate threats to human life or safety, call 911.
Animal Control Services
Animal Control responds to concerns involving stray, dangerous, or neglected animals throughout Echols County.
Services include:
- Stray or roaming dogs and cats
- Dangerous or aggressive animals
- Animal cruelty or neglect complaints
- Animals threatening public safety
- Other qualifying animal-related emergencies
When reporting an animal control concern, residents should provide the animal’s location, description, nature of the complaint, and their contact information.
Residents should not attempt to approach or capture animals that appear aggressive, injured, or dangerous.
Lost or Missing Pets
If your pet is missing or you believe it may have been picked up by Animal Control, please contact Alapaha Animal Control & Shelter as soon as possible.
Residents are encouraged to provide a description of the animal, a recent photograph, and any identifying information, including collars, tags, or microchip identification.
Lost & Found Animal Postings
Photographs and information about animals picked up in the area may also be posted on the Douglas–Coffee County Animal Shelter Facebook page.
View Animal Shelter Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/DCCanimalshelter
Please note that not every animal may be posted on Facebook. Residents should contact Animal Control directly to inquire about a missing or impounded pet.
Impounded Animals & Reclaiming Pets
Animals collected by Animal Control may be transported to Alapaha Animal Control & Shelter.
Under the county’s shelter services agreement, impounded animals, excluding feral cats as defined in the agreement, are held for a minimum of four days unless other arrangements apply.
Following the applicable holding period, unclaimed animals may become eligible for adoption, rescue placement, or euthanasia.
Owners wishing to reclaim an impounded animal should contact the shelter directly for instructions regarding:
- Proof of ownership
- Applicable boarding and impound fees
- Rabies vaccination requirements
- Other applicable release procedures
Fees and requirements are established by the animal control provider and may be subject to change.
Responsible Pet Ownership
Echols County encourages residents to practice responsible pet ownership by:
- Keeping pets properly confined and supervised
- Maintaining current rabies vaccinations
- Providing identification tags or microchip information
- Ensuring animals receive adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care
- Taking reasonable precautions to prevent pets from roaming or becoming a danger to others
Animal Bites & Dangerous Animals
Animal bites and potentially dangerous animal incidents should be reported promptly.
If a person has been bitten, seek appropriate medical attention and contact Animal Control and Sheriff’s office for further instructions.
Animals involved in certain incidents may be subject to quarantine or other requirements under applicable law.
Questions or Assistance
For questions concerning stray animals, impounded pets, animal control complaints, or shelter services, please contact:
Alapaha Animal Control & Shelter
Phone: (229) 561-4188
Animal control and shelter operations are provided through Echols County’s contracted animal control service provider.