Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance Amending Chapter 26, “Animal Control,” by Amending Section 26-36, “Impoundment; notice; disposition” and Section 26-37, “Impoundment time; fees; redemption of animal”
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence
(2.2: Continuously provide a high level of customer service to our citizens)
MEETING DATE: July 21, 2026
DEPARTMENT: Code Services
CONTACT: Phillip Hubbard, Director of Code Services
Hannah Golden, Animal Services Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Approval of the proposed ordinance.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• Staff are proposing to modify Chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances to align with recent changes made by the Collin County Commissioner’s Court regarding impoundment of animals and disposition timeframes at the Collin County Animal Shelter.
• These modifications are to include amendments to city ordinance Chapter 26 Sections 26-36 and 26-37 regarding disposition, impoundment timeframes, and redemption timeframes for animals impounded at the Collin County Shelter from the current timeframe of five (5) days to the new standard of three (3) days after impoundment.
• The proposed ordinance amendments shall apply to all animal impoundments.
• Animals not reclaimed within the three (3) day or seventy-two (72) hour hold period will become the property of Collin County, at which point placement decisions-including adoption, transfer to rescue partners, or other lawful disposition-will be made at the discretion of Collin County Animal Services. All other holding periods and policies will remain unchanged.
• Additionally, staff proposes a modification to Chapter 26 Section 26-37 (c) regarding the requirements for rabies vaccination status upon redemption of animals. The modification stipulates that proof of vaccination be provided to the animal control department (the McKinney Animal Services Department) within 48 hours of an animal’s release, consistent with state rabies vaccination requirements.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• Effective May 11, 2026, Collin County Animal Services with approval from the Collin County Commissioner's Court updated the mandatory hold period for stray or impounded animals (over 5 months of age, excluding livestock) from one hundred twenty (120) hours (5 days) to seventy-two (72) hours (3 days) from the time of impoundment.
• This change was intended to improve animal welfare by reducing length of stay in the shelter, minimizing the spread of disease, and allowing animals to be placed into appropriate outcomes more quickly.
• Modification to Chapter 26 Section 26-37 (c) is proposed independently of impoundment adjustment in an effort to proactively increase compliance with state-mandated rabies vaccination requirements. The Collin County Animal Services Department’s current operational capacity prevents them from enforcing the existing stipulations of this section; therefore, McKinney recommends the referenced adjustment to address this enforcement gap.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• N/A
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A