Howell County, MO

• Emergency vet care

  Hours are only as each source states them. Call before you go.

  Emergency Veterinary Clinic of SW Missouri

  Phone: (417) 890-1600

  Address: 400 S. Glenstone, Springfield, MO 65802

  Website: https://evcspringfield.com/

  City: Springfield

  Nearest identified; located in Springfield (Greene County), long drive. After-hours, not 24/7: Mon-Fri 6:00pm-8:00am; Sat & Sun 24 hours; open all major holidays.

  Source: Emergency Veterinary Clinic of SW Missouri · Checked Nov 5, 2026
• Animal shelters and rescues
  City of West Plains Animal Care and Control (municipal impound/shelter)

  Phone: 417-255-1860

  Website: https://westplains.gov/departments/emergency-services/police/animal-control/

  Type: municipal (City of West Plains, county seat; city-limits service - county-wide coverage not stated)

  Source: City of West Plains - Animal Control · Checked Nov 5, 2026
• Rabies vaccination requirement (2)
  • Website: https://health.mo.gov/providers/manuals/communicable-disease-investigation-reference-manual/rabies-animal

    Rule: Rabies vaccination of animals in Missouri may only be legally performed by a licensed veterinarian (RSMo 322.010, 340.216; 20 CSR 2270-4.031).

    Scope: statewide

    Applies statewide (Missouri). Source: Missouri DHSS Communicable Disease Investigation Reference Manual - Rabies, animal · Checked Nov 5, 2026
  • Rule: Missouri's rabies law is RSMo Chapter 322 (Protection Against Rabies). Section 322.090 empowers county commissions to adopt rules on licensing, impounding, confinement and rabies control and requires them to operate a county dog pound (may contract with cities); 322.030 requires the owner of a dog exposed to a rabid animal to have it treated by a licensed veterinarian or destroyed. Pet vaccination requirements are therefore set by county and city ordinance.

    Scope: statewide

    Statute url: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneChapter.aspx?chapter=322

    Applies statewide (Missouri). Source: Missouri Revisor of Statutes, RSMo 322.090 · Checked Nov 5, 2026
• Spay and neuter help
  Operation SNIP (Humane Society of Missouri / Animal Medical Center of Mid-America)

  Website: https://hsmo.org/operation-snip/

  Description: Low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for the pets of Missouri residents; booking via amcma.org (St. Louis)

  Source: Humane Society of Missouri - Operation SNIP · Checked Nov 5, 2026

About this place

• Population
  40,762 (2024)

  Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 Population Estimates (counties and states) · Checked Nov 5, 2026
• Land area (sq mi)
  927.177 (2025)

  Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Gazetteer Files (counties) · Checked Nov 5, 2026
• Official website
  http://www.howellcounty.net

  Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Government Units Listing · Checked Nov 5, 2026