Frequently Asked Questions
Metro Animal Care and Control
Q. Where do I report dogs running loose?
A. Dogs are not allowed to run at large in Davidson County. If you observe a dog who is roaming in your neighborhood, please call 862-7928. An animal control officer will patrol the area, and when located, impound the dog at Metro Animal Care and Control..
Q. I’ve lost my pet; what do I do?
A. The first thing to do, after searching your neighborhood, is to visit the animal shelter and look for your lost pet, file a lost report and ask if anyone has called in a found report. You need to visit the shelter as often as possible to look for your pet. We recommend you come to Metro Animal Care and Control (MACC) and look for your pet every three days.
Q. What can I do to prevent my pet from getting lost?
A. The most important thing to do to prevent your pet from becoming lost is to keep your cat indoors at all times and keep your dogs on a leash or inside a secure fence when not inside the home. Your pets should always wear a collar and ID tags, including a rabies tag for proper identification.
Microchips are available at your veterinarian’s clinic and MACC to help ensure your pet’s safe return home.
Q. When will an animal control officer respond to my call?
A. Calls are handled on a priority basis. How quickly an officer responds to a specific call depends not only upon the priority of the call, but how many calls of a higher priority are occurring at that time. For example, calls involving immediate injury or harm to a person from an animal or an injured animal are the highest priority. Conversely, calls regarding a dog running loose in the neighborhood without posing a threat generally take much longer to respond to.
Q. How can I get a dead animal removed?
A. Dead animal removal is handled by Metro Public Works Department. You can call them at (615) 862-8700. MACC does not generally pick up animals unless the animal is a suspected victim of animal cruelty or neglect.
Q. Is there anywhere in Davidson County where my dog can run free?
A. Davidson County has several leash-free dog parks. Contact Metro Parks and Recreation for additional information. The phone number for dog park information is (615) 862-8400 and the website for dog parks is http://www.nashville.gov/parks/locations/dog_page.htm.
Q. Do you board animals?
A. No. We do not have the space to board privately owned pets. Check your telephone book under boarding kennels or ask your veterinarian for recommendations.
Q. Do you give shots to all of the animals at the shelter?
A. Yes. Every dog and cat is vaccinated against common diseases when the animal enters the shelter.
Q. How do you put an animal to sleep?
A. When it is necessary to euthanize an animal, it is by a certified euthanasia technician or veterinarian. Following the same procedures of a private veterinarian, the animal receives an injection of sodium pentobarbital and quietly goes to sleep. The method used is approved by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the National Animal Control Association. While euthanasia provides a humane death for the animal, it is emotionally difficult for the staff.
Q. What does “spay” and “neuter” really mean?
A. Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases the operation is performed under anesthesia.
Benefits of spaying or neutering your pet include:
- Helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by preventing certain types of cancer and other diseases;
- Helps prevent your pet from spraying or marking you or your home;
- Helps to prevent behavior problems, aggression and bite incidents;
- Helps prevent pet overpopulation.
For low cost or free spay and neutering, contact Nashville Humane Association’s “Rover” Program at (615) 352-1010.
Q. How do I protect myself against dog bites?
A. The school year has come to an end, and as a result more children will be outside for fun and games. This is why Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control (MACC) officials are urging residents to be cautious and learn how to prevent dog and cat bites.
Each year MACC investigates more than 600 animal bites each year and quarantines many of the animals involved in a bite incident. Children under fifteen are the most common victims, and many are bitten by a family pet.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children are a greater risk of injury and death from dog bites nationally. Many children do not know how to behave around a dog. However, experts say the threat of dog bites can all but be eliminated through public awareness and education.
Dog bites in children are preventable if children learn at a young age how to be safe around dogs and other stray animals.
Tips to prevent dog bites:
- Never approach a dog you don’t know or a dog that is alone without its owner, especially if the dog is behind a fence, tied with a rope or chain, or in a parked car.
- Never approach a dog that is eating, sleeping or guarding something. Dogs naturally guard their puppies, food, bones and toys.
- Never chase or tease dogs. Don’t poke, hit, pull, or pinch a dog.
- Always ask the owner’s permission before petting a dog.
- Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog.
- If attacked, give the dog an object, such as a jacket or backpack to bite or chew on.
A person bitten by an animal should report the incident immediately. MACC will investigate the incident and quarantine the animal if the attack caused broken skin. For more information on services provided by Metro Animal Care and Control call (615) 862-7928.