Dogs that turn up as strays in Gunter, or that owners give up, are now taken to the City of Whitesboro's animal control facility under an agreement the City Council approved at the start of the month, according to minutes the city has posted.
Council members voted 5-0 on Oct. 1 to approve the interlocal agreement and let the city manager sign it. Alderman William Hemby made the motion and Mayor Pro Tem Wade Burtsfield seconded it.
What Gunter pays and gets
The contract, included in the meeting packet, runs from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027. Gunter pays Whitesboro $500 a month, or $6,000 for the year, and the agreement says no extra per-dog intake charge applies to covered services unless both cities agree to one in writing.
The deal covers dogs from inside Gunter's city limits, including strays, impounded animals and owner surrenders. Whitesboro handles intake, records, shelter and holding, and provides or arranges quarantine when the law requires it or Gunter asks. Gunter is responsible for getting each dog to Whitesboro's facility, with pickup times worked out between staff.
Whitesboro does not have to take or keep an animal if doing so would exceed its capacity, create an unreasonable health or safety risk or break the law, and it must tell Gunter quickly when it cannot help. The two cities may also team up on regional events for microchipping, vaccinations and spay and neuter services.
Either side can end the agreement with 30 days' written notice.
