Stray Cats And Dogs Becoming A Huge Issue In Odessa, Texas

Each year, Odessa, Texas, has a growing number of stray animals wandering the city streets. It is getting so bad that in 2023, the Odessa Animal Services reported that only 38% of 5000 animals who were picked up off the street were returned to their owners. Each following year, the numbers exceeded those of the previous year. This led to the euthanization of over 2,600 animals in 2023 alone due to limited resources and overcrowding.

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As heartbreaking as those numbers may be, the problem doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon.  Despite offers of assistance from national organizations such as Best Friends Animal Society, the city has yet to implement a long-term solution for this growing issue.  In 2024, a city-wide survey of Odessa residents concluded that 71% of people support a "no-kill shelter" to be erected in Ector County.  Also in 2024, the city of Odessa amended the city ordinance that limited households to only have up to four pets to be raised to six per household.   While that may curb some of the animals we see on the street, it likely isn't a long-term solution.

Residents are encouraged to call the Odessa Animal Services at 432-335-5744 if they encounter stray animals during regular business hours and the Odessa Police Non-Emergency number at 432-333-3641 for any reports after normal business hours.

This is an issue that needs the collaboration of the public, city officials, and the overall community of Odessa, Texas, in general, if we want to reduce the number of stray animals roaming the streets of Odessa.