Animal Cops: Houston

***Animal Cops: Houston*** is an American documentary reality television series created by Paul Bariff and ITV Studios. It is the second installment of the *Animal Cops* franchise and aired on Animal Planet as a part of the Animal Planet Heroes umbrella rotation of programs from 2003 to 2015.

## Premise

The show is set in Houston, Texas and follows a team of cruelty investigators as they work with local law enforcement to remove animals from abusive or neglectful conditions and rescue animals who get injured or stuck in dangerous situations.

Each episode is a standalone documentary, following two to three rescues, although the same investigators and SPCA staff appear repeatedly throughout the season; the cast varies between each season.

The staff frequently rescues dogs and cats from hoarders and owners who have more pets than they can care for. They are also called in to investigate reports of underfed or abused horses. Occasionally they rescue animals who are trapped, such as under a house or in mud puddles that arise from the heavy rains in the Houston area. They will also take in barn animals such as pigs or chickens, or wild animals like opossums who are injured or orphaned at a young age, though these incidents are less frequent. The Houston SPCA has separate facilities for barn and wild animals, in addition to the standard center for domestic animals.

## Cast

### Head Investigators

* Jim Boller - Chief cruelty investigator (2003-04); director of shelter and field services (2004-October 2005)
* Kristie Franks - Cruelty investigator (2005-06); senior investigator (2006-12)
* Charles Jantzen - Assistant chief cruelty investigator (2003-04); chief cruelty investigator (2005-12)
* Max Mixson - Senior cruelty investigator (2003-04); chief cruelty investigator (2004-05); cruelty investigator (2005-January 2006)

### Cruelty Investigators

* Scott Wernick (2004-05)
* Barba Christiansen (2003-05)
* Deborah Turner (2003-05)
* Sheila Kennedy (2003-06)
* Ernie Angerstein (2003-05)
* Sage (Whitney) Halford - Veterinary technician (2004-05); cruelty investigator (2006-08)
* Dana (Moss) Almangor (2005-08)
* Jennifer Francis (2005-07)
* Robert McClintock (2006-12)
* Enrique Castello (2007-08)
* Debbie Michielson (2007-12)
* Liz Pavlicek (2007-13)
* Trisha Price (2007-12)
* Shauna Sundberg (2007-12)
* Randy Farmer (2007-12)
* Robert McCarty (2008-10)
* Mark Lutkenhaus (2008-12)
* Maverick Wagner (2010-12)
* Megan Leger (2010-12)

### Law Enforcement

* Judge Dale Gorczynski - District judge, Harris County, Texas (2003-12)
* Anna Herrera - Animal cruelty Deputy Constable
* Christine Kendrick - Deputy Constable, Harris County Precinct One Constable's Office (2003-12)

### Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians

* Dr. Neidra Carvin (2010-12)
* Dr. Courtney Forbes (2003-06)
* Sage (Whitney) Halford - Veterinary technician (2005-05); cruelty investigator (2006-08)
* Dr. Cheryl Hoggard (2010-12)
* Dr. Barbara Kohl (2009-10)
* Dr. Dev Rajan (2006-10)
* Dr. Frank Schuman (2010-12)
* Dr. Catalena Thurston (2007-10)
* Dr. Anne Underwood (2003-06)
* Dr. Roberta Westbrook (2008-10)

### SPCA Staff

* Patti Mercer - President, Houston SPCA (2003-12)
* Meera Nandlal - Public Relations Managar (2008-12)
* Dr. Teri Schweiss - Vice President of Animal Welfare

### Documentary Staff

* Robert Leigh - Narrator (2004-12)
* John Lurie - Narrator (2003-04)
* Dean Lennox Kelly - UK narrator (2011-present)
* Steve Wisiniewski - Farrier (2005-12)

## Episodes

Main article: *List of Animal Cops: Houston episodes*

## Awards and nominations

In 2005, the series won a Genesis Award in the reality programming category.