Good Samaritan program

The Good Samaritan program is a voluntary program in which citizens keep unowned pets for less than three days in an effort to keep the animal out of the shelter.

Individuals must be 18 years of age, have valid government identification and be a resident of Tom Green County.

Owners are defined as citizens who have provided care for a domestic pet for three or more days. Citizens participating in this program shall not be defined as the owner as the record date will be the date of first vetting.

Vetting staff will direct the citizen to the designated drop off location, currently identified as the north side door at the shelter. A staff member will meet the citizen at the door, provide the necessary paperwork for the citizen to complete and take the animal into an exam room. Staff will conduct a cursory physical exam to include:

• Scan for microchip and note any identification tags.
• Assess general health and intake sick or injured pets immediately.
• Administer vaccine to prevent distemper, parvovirus, etc. (dogs) and calicivirus, panleukopenia, etc. (cats).
• Photograph and post on local lost and found sites.
• Complete fast pass with case number for finder.

Citizens will complete the revised stray release form including:

• Finder’s name, number and address.
• Permission to release finder’s contact information to owner.
• Location found.
• Sign statement agreeing to surrender animal to the owner if identified.
• Sign statement indicating the dog has no known bite history.

If a pet is in need of immediate medical care due to illness or injury, the pet will be impounded to receive the network of services available through the San Angelo Pets Alive! coalition. This also protects the citizen’s home from the spread of disease.