FAQs • Joplin, MO • CivicEngage

What services does the health department provide to the community?: JHD provides administrative, animal control, environmental/epidemiology, emergency preparedness, medical, and WIC services.

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Animals & Pets

1. What is public health?: Activities that society undertakes to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy. These include organized community efforts to prevent, identify, and counter threats to the health of the public.

2. What services does the health department provide to the community?: JHD provides administrative, animal control, environmental/epidemiology, emergency preparedness, medical, and WIC services.

3. How can I access more FAQs by category?: Click on the category needed on the right hand side list.

4. What should I do if I get an animal bite?: Bite reports are investigated by the Joplin Animal Control Division. To report an animal bite, please call (417) 623-6122 (after hours or weekends, call (417) 623-3131). Reported animals are confined for a rabies observation period by the Joplin Health Department. For information concerning confinement, please call the Joplin Humane Society at (417) 623-3642. If there is no answer, please call (417) 623-3131.

5. How can I contact animal control?: Animal control provides assistance for nuisance animal complaints, stray and unwanted animal pick-up, live trapping for nuisance animals (oppossums, ground hogs, etc.), quarantines animals involved in bites to monitor rabies, and provides for control of animal abuse. Call the Joplin Health Department at (417) 623-6122 (after hours and weekends, call (417) 623-3131) to contact animal control.

6. Where can I learn about animal ownership and care?: For questions regarding the number and types of animals allowed in the City, or for information regarding animal care standards, contact the Joplin Animal Control Division at (417) 623-6122 (after hours or weekends, call (417) 623-3131).

7. Is there an animal shelter in town?: The Joplin Humane Society is the local animal shelter. Please call the Joplin Humane Society at (417) 623-3642 (Monday through Friday 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) for more information. All animals picked up by Joplin Animal Control are taken to the Joplin Humane Society.

8. Where can I get a dog or cat license?: For information regarding dog or cat licensing, contact the City Finance Department at (417) 624-0820 ext. 1242, or your pet’s veterinarian.

9. What laws does the city have regarding dogs?: The leash law requires dogs, when outdoors, to be kept in a fenced yard or leashed. Annual rabies shots and permits are also required. Animal Control Officers patrol streets to pick up stray dogs and dead animals, which are taken to the Animal Shelter. For information, call (417) 623-6122 (after hours or weekends, call (417) 623-3131).

10. Are their regulations on stray dogs and rabies control?: The leash law requires dogs, when outdoors, to be kept in a fenced yard or leashed. Annual rabies shots and permits are also required. Animal Control Officers patrol streets to pick up stray dogs and dead animals, which are taken to the Animal Shelter. For information, call (417) 623-6122 (after hours or weekends, call (417) 623-3131).