Houston, We Have a Critter Problem: A Guide to Animal Control Phone Numbers (Because Your Cat Can't Use the Dial Pad)
Let's face it, Houston. We love our furry (or feathery, or scaly) friends. But sometimes, those friends decide to, ahem, explore a little too much. Maybe your poodle Picasso keeps mistaking the neighbor's prized petunias for a personal salad bar. Perhaps your normally dignified Doberman, Duchess, has a newfound fondness for serenading the neighborhood at 3 am with her operatic howls. Or, hey, maybe you've got a rogue raccoon using your attic as his personal disco (complete with a flashing strobe light made from a chewed-up disco ball...don't ask).
Whatever the animal antics, you need help. But before you resort to wrestling a rogue opossum yourself (we strongly advise against this!), you'll need the right phone number. Because trust us, that hissing armadillo in your garage isn't going to be impressed by your best "come hither" kitty voice.
Enter Houston's Animal Control Cavalry: Who You Gonna Call?
For the City Slickers: Houston BARC (Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care)
If your critter crisis is happening within Houston city limits, then dial 713-229-7300 and prepare to unleash the heroes of BARC! These folks are trained wranglers of all things wild (or not-so-wild) and can help with everything from runaway raccoons to aggressive alligators (yes, alligators, Houston. It's Texas. We gotta cover our bases).
For the County Cousins: Harris County Animal Control
Maybe your menagerie mishap is happening in the greater Houston area, but outside the city limits? No worries! Harris County Animal Control is here to lasso any loose livestock or wrangle wayward wildlife. Dial 281-999-3191 and let the Harris County crew know what's going down on the ranch.
Bonus Round: When to Dial 911 (Because Not All Creatures Are Cute and Cuddly)
Look, we all love a good wildlife encounter. But if you've got a rabid raccoon on the rampage or a mountain lion making itself comfortable on your porch swing, dial 911 immediately. These are situations best left to the professionals (the very brave professionals).
And Finally, a Word to the Wise:
If you can avoid it, try not to let your ferret become "one" with your car engine. Trust us, that extraction process is a real nail-biter (and not in the good way). But hey, if it does happen, at least you now know who to call!
