Humane Department

Animal Charity employs Humane Agents who have been certified through the State of Ohio and appointed by the court to enforce Ohio animal protection laws (ORC 959). They are appointed by Mahoning County’s Probate Court. We respond to 1,000+ calls a year and our services are supported entirely through donations/fundraising.

The Dog warden handles the following types of calls: Dogs running at large (strays), dog license and rabies vaccination enforcement, nuisance/dangerous/vicious dogs as it relates to O.R.C, injured stray dogs, bite cases of stray dogs (owned dogs by request), lost & found dogs. The county dog warden is funded via sales of dog licenses.

The Humane Society handles: Complaints of animals being abused, starved, abandoned (when the animal is confined to a property), exposed to the elements, in need of veterinary treatment, or hoarding cases involving companion animals.

Animal Charity does not take stray dogs. By law you must notify the Dog Warden of any stray. If it is during business hours call the Mahoning County Dog Pound. If it is after hours you may call local police or if you are able, hold on to the dog until the next business day and call the dog warden at that time.

You can report it to Animal Charity at 330-788-1064 or via our contact form on our website. Our Humane Agent will come out to evaluate the situation and post a notice for contact. If contact from the homeowners isn’t made, we will pursue legal means to get the animals out of the home.

No, that would be a violation of the law. If we need to enter a residence and the owner is not there to give permission, we must obtain a search warrant. We understand that this can be frustrating at times and request patience while navigating the legal processes associated with rescuing animals in need.

Animal Charity does not take stray cats. We recommend that you participate in a TNR (trap neuter return) program and stop the cycle of reproduction. Animal Charity of Ohio now offers programs that can help you get them fixed at affordable prices. There are local cat rescues that may be able to help you but please be aware that there is no agency that will take stray cats and “promise” to not euthanize them. Stray cats are a community problem that can be improved through spay/neuter.

At this time we do not enforce the City of Youngstown’s tethering ordinance. Please contact the Youngstown Police Department for any tethering concerns.

We do not accept owner surrenders. We recommend contacting local rescues for assistance.

We recommend visiting Ohio Department of Natural Resources and following their advice.

Birds in Flight Sanctuary in Canfield also offers wildlife rehab services and expertise to the Valley regarding injured, displaced and other wildlife issues.

The Mahoning County Dog Warden can be contacted at 330-740-2205

The Youngstown Police Department can be contacted at 330-747-7911.