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Animal Control

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Animal Control

Animal Control Officer Tyler Rinehart takes care of a dog at the Stilwell facility

Animal Control is a service provided by the City of Stilwell for the care and well-being of animals within the city limits of the City of Stilwell. The City does have a small animal shelter for the temporary holding of animals. Our objective is to reunite the animals through their owners or relocate the animals through adoption when possible. We also assist residents in humanely removing nuisance animals from their property.


Pets kept in the City of Stilwell are required to be licensed through the city and maintain current vaccination. Proof of both is required to be shown to the Animal Control Officers when requested. Persons bringing their pet into the city are required to have proof of vaccination with them.


All pets are required to be always under the immediate control of the owners or handlers and are not allowed to roam freely when not in the confines of personal property inside the city limits. Vicious or aggressive animals are required to be tethered with a six (6) foot or shorter leash, muzzled, and under the direct control of the owners or handlers.

For questions regarding animals in the city;

Please call the Animal Control Officers at 918-575-0377 or 918-575-4454, or call City Hall at 918-696-7143 option 5. For an emergency, please call 911 or the police department at 918-696-7143 option 2.

License For Your Pet

To obtain a license for a pet please visit the City of Stilwell City Hall at 20 South First Street. For license requirements call City Hall at 918-696-7143 option 1.


We encourage you to visit the City of Stilwell Facebook page to see the current animals in the shelter that are ready to be picked up by the owner and those that are available for adoption. Please check the adoption details in the donation article below.

Visit Us on:

City Ordinance:

For Fees:

Shelter Donations


Winter can be the worst time to be a pet without a home, but any season it’s hard to be homeless. Whether the owner has passed away, is inattentive or the pet is a clever escape artist, the dog usually ends up being caught by animal control and taken to the shelter. Then there’s those who make the irresponsible decision to dump puppies in the city limits. Those too are taken into the shelter and adopted when healthy. 


The city allocates funds for the shelter, which is seldom without several occupants. The budget is often extended due to the excess of uncared for or adventure seeking pets who wander or chase a passing cat or friendly dog and may be lost or just enjoying freedom.


Once in the shelter, a pet is checked for a collar and identification information. It can be picked up by the owner or adopted in town or through the Patterson Vet Clinic connections to groups that manage adoptions around the region.


Recently a few people have asked about donations to the shelter. The shelter only accepts monetary donations.


"We use the funds to purchase flee shampoo, leashes, food and water bowls and other items specific to the needs of the animals. We also use those funds to help offset the costs of the free spay and neuter and shot clinics. Depending on available funds, we can also use the donations for animals when they are surrendered," Shawn said.


"We do not take food donations, it is too risky for the animals. We purchase High Point dog food from 59 Feed, Red Barn, and Feeders Supply. It’s better for the dogs to have the same brand of food every day,” said Shawn Noel, community development director.


Other items that can be used are new towels for bathing dogs.


“Toys have been donated, but have to be bleached for another dog to use,” Noel said. A large tub has been donated for dipping the dogs, Noel said. Monetary donations are also utilized.


“We can kick up another spay and neuter program with those funds, which helps control the pet population in Stilwell,” said Noel.

A person is kneeling down next to a dog.


Dogs of all ages and breeds can find themselves homeless or lost, then found by the animal control officer.

Photo: Renee Fite



The adoption fee for animals is $10 unless the animal is spayed or neutered. If it is spayed or neutered, the adoption is free. If the animal is spayed or neutered after adoption, the $10 fee is refunded. We can also assist new owners in obtaining a free or reduced price spay or neuter for their pet. The surrender fee $50.00.


You can contact animal control at 918 575-4454 or 918 575-0377.

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