Animal Shelter & Animal Control
Visit the Shelter
Animal Adoption Center of Blount County5554 County Highway 1, Cleveland, AL 35049
(Use the callbox at the entrance gate.)
Tuesday–Friday 11–4:30, Saturday 9–2
205-973-0493
- To Adopt or meet adoptable pets, simply come visit!
- Foster Homes are always needed. All food & supplies are provided!
- Volunteer at the shelter or from home, in a variety of roles.
- Appointments are required only to surrender a pet.
- See below to donate funds or supplies to the shelter.
Animal Control
In unincorporated Blount County, Animal Control is coordinated by Dep. Brock Echols. Dep. Echols is the only countywide ACO, covering 600 sq.mi. and handling the work of 3–4 officers. When calling, keep in mind that it may be the following weekday before Dep. Echols is able to respond. Cruelty and hoarding cases are prioritized and can take a full day or longer to address, and simply driving from one call to another can take over an hour.
On evenings and weekends, other deputies may answer calls. The Sheriff’s Office advises that since Dep. Echols specializes in enforcement of animal law, it may be most effective to wait to report until he is on duty, or follow up with him if the initial response was by another officer, to ensure that he receives the report.
Animal Control Officer Dep. EcholsBlount County Dispatch: 205-625-4913
(In an emergency, call 911.)
In some municipalities, animal services are handled by local government or local police. Details for each municipality can be found at Local Laws.
Dog confinement is required countywide. The County Commission adopted Alabama Code § 3-1-5 in 2024, and several cities and towns have their own ordinances.
Donate Supplies or Funds
Donations to counties (including the shelter) and municipalities are tax deductible under IRS Code 170(c)(1). To make a general donation, please specify “special projects” to ensure that your donation goes to the shelter rather than other County expenses.
- To donate funds via credit card, check, or cash, call or visit the shelter. You will be provided a donation receipt.
- Dog food, kitten food, newspaper, and dog houses are always needed.
- Food, toys, supplies can be selected from the shelter’s Amazon wishlist or this second wishlist.
- Trolley or run lines help neighbors keep their dog on their own property. These donations can be the difference between a dog staying with his family or being surrendered due to challenges with roaming or inability to erect a fence.
- Help animals find homes by sponsoring or donate toward an animal’s adoption fee. You can name a specific animal to support, if you’d like.
- Include the shelter in your trust or will to enable larger projects and purchases.