About Our Shelter & Services

The municipal shelter that serves the City of Alvarado, Texas (pop 3,800) is a small one consisting of 8 dog runs and a large fence-in yard to allow our dogs some time to play outside and socialize in the sunshine. At this time, we have no facility for cats, however, we hope that will come soon. 

Animal Welfare in Texas

According to some estimates, over one million animals will arrive in animal shelters throughout Texas in a single year. Sadly, many of these animals will be euthanzed because there simply are not enough suitable homes for all of them. With this in mind, Alvarado Animal Services urges you to help us by doing your part to help prevent animal overpopulation.

Have your pet spayed or neutered-By having your animal spayed or neutered, your animal will not contribute more animals to a world that might not be able to provide a home. Animals that are spayed or neutered tend to roam less, have fewer behavior problems and can live longer, healthier lives.

Help Break the Cycle-One of the reasons most often cited for dogs and cat's being surrendered to or returned to a shelter after adoption is, "Can't train".
Alvarado Animal Services wants to help and we think that every pet should have the best relationship possible with their pet! This video series is available to you. If you are having trouble with your dog, you might want to give these videos a try!

Make sure your pet wears a collar with I.D.-Thousands of lost or stray pets could be quickly returned to their owners if they were wearing a collar with an I.D. tag. It is also Texas State Law that your animal display a current rabies tag at all time.

Have your pet implanted with a microchip-These tiny devices are implanted under your pet's skin between the front shoulders and should your animal become lost, animal control, veterinarians or animal shelters can "scan" your pet for a microchip and return it to you. Another benefit of having your pet implanted with a microchip provides absolute proof of ownership if someone attempts to steal or claim your animal as their own. A microchip lasts for the entire life of the pet, causes no discomfort and can be implanted by your family veterinarian.

Order "Animal-Friendly" Texas License Plates!-Out of the $30 fee required for any special issue Texas license plate, $22 is presently being used exclusively to spay and neuter companion animals in Texas. The fund is administered by the Texas Department of Health (Section 828.014 Health and Safety Code). This license plate is the second most successful plate in Texas, producing to this date hundreds of thousands of dollars to help Texas animals.
Download the application for these tags from the Texas Department of Transportation and order your "Animal Friendly" license plates today!

Download Application   

Protect Your New Pet
Alleviate the financial stress associated with your pets unexpected medical expenses and generate funds for our shelter at the same time! Simply apply for a ShelterCare Pet Insurance Program by using the ShelterCare banner-link.

Here is how it works: ShelterCare Pet Insurance Programs cover you when your pet needs essential veterinary care from an illness or injury. Also, every time a completed application for a ShelterCare program is generated through our shelter’s website, we automatically receive a $25 donation to help cover common needs like blankets, litter and food. This donation is of no cost to you and provides us with essential funds. Make the right move and enroll today!