Montgomery has four city dog parks. Off your property, the city code requires a leash no longer than six feet, and a collar with a current rabies tag.
Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Rules come from the Montgomery City Code, Chapter 4, Animals; dog parks from the city’s parks directory; adoption details from the Montgomery Humane Society.
Montgomery has four city dog parks, one of them downtown on the riverfront, plus miles of trails. Everywhere else, the rule is simple: off your property, your dog must be on a leash no longer than six feet, wearing a collar or harness with a current rabies tag.
Who to call
- Stray, lost or found pet, or cruelty: Montgomery Humane Society, 334-409-0622
- City Parks and Recreation (dog parks): 334-625-2300
- City 311: 334-625-4636
Dog parks
| Park | Address | What’s there |
|---|---|---|
| Bark Park | 6055 Vaughn Road | Fountain, gazebo, benches and a wash station |
| Audubon | 3174 Cloverdale Road | Dog park in a natural area |
| Blount Cultural Park | 1 Festival Drive | Dog park beside the trail and pond |
| Rotary Dog Park | 98 Coosa St. | Downtown, on the riverfront |
City parks close at sundown. The tourism office’s pet-friendly guide also points to the Hannah Daye Ridling Bark Park in Blount Cultural Park and notes food trucks at lunch near the downtown Rotary park.
The leash law
From Section 4-13 of the city code, a dog is “running at large,” which is illegal, unless it is:
- inside a fence, wall or other enclosure that keeps it off public property and other people’s property;
- on a leash no longer than six feet, attached to a collar or harness with swivel connections that keep it from slipping free;
- inside a vehicle.
It is no defense that the dog got out without the owner’s knowledge.
If your dog is picked up: animal control can impound it and take it to the shelter, where it is held for up to five days. To get it back you must show proof of rabies vaccination and pay a $35 pickup fee plus $20 a day for each day it was housed. Dogs not claimed in five days become the shelter’s property.
Tethering at home is allowed only on an overhead trolley or cable run, one dog per device, with a fitted collar or harness (no choke, pinch or prong collars), never for unattended puppies under 6 months, and never during a National Weather Service severe weather warning.
Rabies tags
Every dog and cat in the city must be vaccinated against rabies every year (Section 4-82). Any dog or cat older than 3 months must wear a collar or harness with its rabies tag whenever it is off the owner’s property (Section 4-83). A pet without a tag, whose owner cannot show proof of vaccination, can be impounded.
Trails for dogs
- Swayback Bridge Trail, near Wetumpka: its listing says dogs are welcome on a leash on the roughly 7.9-mile loop.
- City parks with trails: Blount Cultural Park, Cloverdale Road Park, Buddy Watson Park and the downtown Riverwalk. Inside city limits the six-foot leash rule applies.
More routes are on our walking and biking trails page.
Adopt, and dog events
The Montgomery Humane Society, 1150 John Overton Drive, was founded in 1920, runs an animal shelter and adoption center and accepts every animal regardless of breed, age or health. Coming up:
- Taps, Tails and Happy Trails, an adoption day with the Humane Society, 2:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Tower Taproom, 101-A Tallapoosa St. Free (listing).
- Your Next Chapter Has Four Paws!, an adoption event with the Humane Society, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St. (listing).
More: parks and trails, free things to do and things to do this month.
Frequently asked questions
Does Montgomery have a leash law?
Yes. Montgomery City Code Section 4-13 bans dogs from running at large. Off your property a dog must be fenced in, in a vehicle, or on a leash no longer than six feet attached to a collar or harness.
Where are the dog parks in Montgomery?
The city lists four: Bark Park, 6055 Vaughn Road; Audubon, 3174 Cloverdale Road; Blount Cultural Park, 1 Festival Drive; and Rotary Dog Park, 98 Coosa St., on the riverfront.
Does my dog need a rabies tag in Montgomery?
Yes. Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies every year, and any dog or cat over 3 months old must wear a collar or harness with its rabies tag when off the owner’s property, under city code Sections 4-82 and 4-83.
What happens if my dog is picked up in Montgomery?
Under the city code, an impounded dog goes to the animal shelter and is held up to five days. To claim it you need proof of rabies vaccination and must pay a $35 pickup fee plus $20 a day for housing.
Where can I adopt a dog in Montgomery?
The Montgomery Humane Society, 1150 John Overton Drive, runs an animal shelter and adoption center. Call 334-409-0622.
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