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1. How do I adopt a dog or cat from the City’s Animal Shelter?

The City of Bedford offers dogs and cats for adoption on a first come, first served basis. Animals adopted from the City’s Animal Shelter are required to be spayed or neutered. To adopt an animal from the shelter:

• You must be at least 18 years of age. You will need to present a valid ID such as a drivers license, Texas ID card, or military ID card at the time of the adoption.
• You must pay all applicable adoption fees at the time of the adoption. The adoption fee is $100 for dogs and $75 for cats.

Visit the Adoptable Pets webpage to see all animals available for adoption.

2. How do I get my pet back if it is picked up by Animal Services?

If your pet is picked up by an Animal Services Officer, it will be taken to the Bedford Animal Shelter, 1809 Reliance Pkwy. To reclaim your animal from the shelter:

• Please call the Animal Shelter at 817-952-2191 to verify shelter hours.
• The reclaim fee's are as follows: 
  • 1st impound - $35
  • 2nd impound - $60
  • 3rd impound - $85
  • 4th impound and more - $110

3. How do I report a pet I have found?

There are multiple actions you can take if you have found a dog or cat: 

• If you can approach the pet safely, check for an ID tag, contact the owner, and help reunite the pet with its family. If the pet is not wearing an ID tag, you can take the animal to a veterinary clinic or bring them to Bedford Animal Services to check for a microchip.
• If you are unable to approach the animal safely, please call 817-952-2191 and provide us with a detailed description of the animal and its location.

4. How do I report a pet I have lost?

If you have lost a pet, please email your pet's picture, location where the pet was last seen, your contact information, and any other information that may be helpful to Animal Services. Pet owners are highly encouraged to have their pets microchipped, which increases the likelihood of being reunited with a pet. 

5. How do I report an after-hours animal-related emergency?

To report an after-hours animal-related emergency, please call the Bedford Police Department non-emergency number at 817-952-2127. Bedford dispatchers will then notify the on-call Animal Services Officer.

6. What vaccinations does my pet need?

City ordinance requires that all dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age, and then at regular intervals thereafter in accordance with rules adopted by the Texas Health and Safety Code. Rabies vaccinations must be administered by a licensed veterinarian.

There are several other vaccinations that are beneficial for your pet, but not required by law. They help protect your pet from serious diseases such as parvo, distemper, feline leukemia, etc. Please consult with your veterinarian about these beneficial vaccinations, as well as other health issues such as heartworms, internal parasites, and flea control.

7. What do I do if I am bitten by a dog or cat?

If you have been bitten by a dog or cat, you should:

• Wash and rinse the bite well
• Consult a doctor to determine your next course of medical action
• Remember what the animal looked like and describe the animal that bit you (breed, size, color, etc.) to your doctor or Animal Services staff
• Report the bite to Animal Services or your local authority
• Advise children to get help from an adult, teacher, police officer, or Animal Services Officer if they are ever bitten by an animal

If you have been bitten, please contact Animal Services at 817-952-2191. A report must be made for every bite that occurs. Verification of current rabies vaccinations must be provided for the biting animal.

8. Does my pet need to be registered with the City?

Yes, the City of Bedford requires that all pets be registered annually. Registering a pet provides Animal Services with access to vaccination information in the event of a bite and assists in reuniting a lost pet with its family.

An application form must be completed for each dog and cat you own. Completed applications, along with a copy of the rabies vaccination certificates and payment, may be returned to Bedford Animal Services, 1809 Reliance Pkwy. For questions on the application form, please call 817-952-2191.