Animal Protection - Animal Control Services

Service Area

The Idaho Humane Society Animal Control Division provides services in the cities of Boise, Eagle and Star and the unincorporated parts of Ada County. The Animal Control Division does not have the authority to provide services in the cities of Meridian or Garden City or outside of Ada County unless that city or county grants jurisdiction. If you are outside our service area, please contact your local animal control officer, police department or sheriff’s office for animal-related issues.

What Does the Animal Control Division Do?

  • Investigates, prevents and stops animal neglect and cruelty
  • Educates the public about animal welfare
  • Protects public health by removing deceased animals from public by-ways
  • Enforces animal-related laws by educating pet owners, issuing citations and, if needed, impounding animals
  • Protects the public from dangerous animals
  • Quarantines animals who have bitten or attacked
  • Rescues animals that are in danger, sick or injured
  • Mediates disputes neighbors have about animals
  • Assists other law enforcement agencies

Our Animal Control Officers Respond to Citizens' Calls About:

  • Dogs at large
  • Barking dogs
  • Found or unwanted animals to be picked up
  • Aggressive animals
  • Deceased animals on public byways (where retrieval does not compromise officer safety)
  • Stray animals that are injured, sick or in danger
  • Animal attacks upon other animals or people
  • Animal bites to other animals or people
  • Animal cruelty and neglect
  • Animals in traffic
  • Loose livestock

How Do I Contact Animal Control?

The Idaho Humane Society Animal Control Division is on duty from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. seven (7) days per week. To reach Animal Control, call (208) 343-3166.

Due to the volume of calls we receive, when you call be prepared to leave your message on the voice mail system with a telephone number where you can be reached. The dispatcher will call you back as quickly as possible. If you are requesting that an Animal Control Officer be dispatched to a location, you must provide a street address for the location.

For after-hours emergencies, call Boise Police Dispatch at (208) 377-6790, and an Animal Control Officer may be dispatched to respond.

When Will an Animal Control Officer Respond to My Call?

Calls must be handled on a priority basis. How quickly an officer can respond to a specific call depends not only upon the priority of that call, but also on how many calls of a higher priority are occurring at that particular time. For example, calls involving an injured animal or immediate danger of injury or harm to a person (from an animal) are the highest priority. Conversely, calls regarding a barking dog might take a little longer to respond to. Your patience and support is appreciated.