Animal Services & Protection

Mediating solutions, enforcing laws, investigating animal complaints, and ensuring the well-being and safety of people and animals in Lincoln County.

What We Do

Your Lincoln County Animal Services Deputies enforce the laws that protect animals and the community. We work to:

Reduce animal suffering and distress;
Facilitate the safe return of lost pets;
Educate the public about responsible pet ownership;
Help mediate solutions;
Investigate complaints involving animals;
Enforce animal protection laws.

Often Animal Services intervention is needed to mediate a solution, enforce laws, or investigate complaints. Our goal is to provide solutions and maintain good relations within the community. You may reach an Animal Services Deputy by calling Dispatch at 541-265-0777. You may call if you are concerned about an animal's welfare; to report an animal bite; to report lost or found dogs and all injured pets; and to report abuse, neglect, or abandonment.

Animal Law Resources

Download the Animal Services and Protection brochure (see below).
State Laws
Oregon Animal Cruelty Laws Handbook (PDF)

Pet Licenses

All dogs living in the state of Oregon are required to be vaccinated against rabies. All dogs living in Lincoln County are required to be licensed at 6 months of age (or when permanent canines appear), or within 30 days of becoming a resident. Cat licenses are not required, but they help us reunite you with your pet in case they are lost. Rabies vaccination is required to purchase licenses, and they help protect your pets and family members.

Licenses are issued by the Lincoln County Animal Shelter and some local veterinarians. An application and more information may be found on the Animal Shelter's website. Please call the Animal Shelter at 541-265-6610, ext. 6 for information.

Stray or Feral Cats

Animal Services Deputies do not catch healthy stray cats. For information about stray or feral cats, including humane trapping, please contact the Animal Shelter at 541-265-6610, ext. 6. Please call the Animal Shelter to make an appointment before bringing in any cats. If you have found an injured or critically ill cat, please call Dispatch at 541-265-0777 to speak with an Animal Services Deputy. If you are concerned about cats in your yard, there are many online resources for ideas to keep them away.

Dogs at Large

Dogs are "running at large" when they are off the premises of the owner or keeper of the dog, and when they are not under control of the keeper. Oregon State Parks, including state park beaches, require dogs to be on a 6 foot leash. To report lost, found, free-roaming, and injured dogs, please call Dispatch at 541-265-0777 to speak with an Animal Services Deputy. You may also report lost and found dogs to the Animal Shelter at 541-265-6610, ext. 6.

What to Do if an Animal Bites You

Call an Animal Services Deputy at 541-265-0777. It is very important for you to report the bite. An ASD will provide you with the right resources for assistance and information. Make sure to get necessary medical treatment.

If Your Dog Bites a Human

Call an Animal Services Deputy at 541-265-0777. By law, dogs that bite humans and break skin must be quarantined and observed for a 10-day period to ensure there are no symptoms of rabies. If an animal is up to date on its rabies vaccine, it usually can be observed at home. If an animal is not up to date on its rabies vaccine, or if the bite was a particularly dangerous one, the animal may be required to be quarantined and observed at the Lincoln County Animal Shelter. Unless there is a need for a hearing, the animal will be returned to the owner at the end of the observation period.

Please Be a Responsible Pet Owner

Spay or neuter your pets. Spaying and neutering helps fight the problem of pet overpopulation, it helps protect your pet's health, and it reduces the chances of your dog running at large and biting.
Dogs need companionship and want to be with their human pack. It is against the law to chain or tether dogs for more than 10 hours in a 24 hour period. Dogs who are outside need access to clean water, fresh food, and adequate shelter to provide warmth (at least three walls and a roof that protects dogs from wind, rain, and snow considering their breed, size, and physical condition).
Be aware of weather conditions. Leaving your dog in the car on a hot day or in the yard without shade or water is risking your dog's life.
Make sure your home is "pet" safe. Pesticides, medications, household cleaners and some house plants (dieffenbachia, philodendron, hyacinth, and mistletoe) can be deadly to your pet.
Provide veterinary care for your pet. Keep their vaccinations up to date and make sure they have annual checkups.
Keep identification tag on your pet-it is your pets ticket back home. Both dogs and cats need ID tags and microchips.
Obedience train and socialize your animal.
Don't let your pets run loose. Dogs should be walked on leashes. Any outdoor off-leash time should be secure in a fenced area.
An outdoor cat's average lifespan is 3 years, an indoor cat's average lifespan is 14 years. We encourage people to find safe outdoor time for the cats, either on a leashed harness, or outdoor catio.
Provide your pet the proper diet. Obesity can be as deadly as malnutrition. Be aware that some foods can be deadly, such as chocolate, and fatty foods can cause pancreatitis.
Make sure your pets get the proper amount of exercise.
Take extra precautions during holidays like Fourth of July, New Year's Eve, and Halloween. Please make sure your pets are secure indoors.
Be kind to your pet and shower them with love... remember you are his world.
Take special care of your pet during their senior years.
Prepare to to keep your pets safe during disasters and emergencies.
Make sure your dog wears a collar with a Lincoln County dog license and your cat wears an identification tag.
Get a microchip for your pet. A microchip remains in an animal for life and is helpful if your pet loses its collar.
Be sure you update your information and that we have your current address and phone numbers. Current information will help Animal Services and emergency personnel reunite your pet with you.
Arrange for a safe haven.
Keep a list of boarding kennels that accept pets or arrange to take your pet to a friend's home. Remember, disaster shelters generally do not accept pets.
Assemble an emergency kit including: current photo and license to prove ownership; leash; two-week supply of food and water; food and water bowls; crate or carrier large enough for your pet in which to stand up and move around; cat litter and pan; pet's medication; and your pet's favorite toys.

Teach Children How to Prevent Dog Bites

When you're teaching children about dog bite prevention and how to be safe around dogs, keep it simple. Discuss animals, how we relate to them, and the role of animals in your family, not just how to avoid being bitten. If you have younger children, always supervise them around dogs and be mindful of how the child interacts with the dog so they learn to be gentle from the beginning.

Some easy tips that you can use to help kids understand the importance of respecting dogs and avoiding bites:

Avoid unknown dogs. If you see a dog you don't know and it's wandering around loose and unsupervised, avoid the dog and consider leaving the area. Please report stray dogs to Animal Services.
When the owner is with their dog, always ask the owner for permission to pet their dog. Don't ever pet a dog without asking first - even if it's a dog you know, or a dog who seemed friendly toward you before.
Teach children to confidently, quietly walk away if they're confronted by an aggressive dog. Instruct them to stand still if a dog goes after them, then take a defensive position. It often helps to tell them to "be a tree:" stand quietly, with their hands low and clasped in front of them, remain still and keep their head down as if looking at their feet. If they are knocked down, teach them to cover their head and neck with their arms and curl into a ball.
Teach children to avoid escalating the situation by yelling, running, hitting or making sudden movements toward the dog.
Teach children that if a dog goes to bed or to his/her crate, don't bother them. Enforce the idea that the bed or crate is the dog's space to be left alone. A dog needs a comfortable, safe place where the child never goes. If you're using a crate, it should be covered with a blanket and be near a family area, such as in your living room or another area of your home where the family frequently spends time. Do not isolate your dog or his/her crate, or you may accidentally encourage bad behavior.
Educate children at a level they can understand. Don't expect young children to be able to accurately read a dog's body language. Instead, focus on gentle behavior and share that dogs have likes and dislikes which helps them develop an understanding of dog behavior as they grow older.
Teach children that the dog has to want to play with them and when the dog leaves, he leaves - he'll return for more play if he feels like it.
Teach kids never to tease dogs by taking their toys, food or treats, or by pretending to hit or kick.
Teach kids to never pull a dog's ears or tail, climb on or try to ride dogs.
Keep dogs out of infants' and young children's rooms unless there is direct and constant supervision.
Tell children to leave the dog alone when it's asleep or eating.
Sometimes, especially with smaller dogs, some children might try to drag the dog around. Don't let them do this. Also discourage them from trying to dress up the dog - some dogs just don't like to be dressed up.
Don't give kids too much responsibility for pets too early - they just may not be ready. Always supervise and check on pet care responsibilities given to children to ensure they are carried out.

Report Animal Abuse

Report animal abuse, animal neglect and animal abandonment to dispatch at 541-265-0777.