Ames Animal Shelter Adoption Hours, Fees, Lost Pets, Animal Control & Appointment Help
Use official City of Ames Animal Shelter and Animal Control resources to check public hours, view adoptable cats, dogs and small pets, submit an adoption application, schedule a meet and greet, file a lost or found pet report, call animal control, understand pet licensing, use surrender alternatives, learn about foster needs, and avoid relying on outdated third-party listings.
If you are searching for ames animal shelter, choose the task closest to what you need. This finder points users to the correct official City of Ames route for adoption, shelter hours, available animals, lost pets, found pets, animal control, foster care, pet relinquishment, pet licensing and wildlife resources.
Choose one option. The official action card below updates for Ames adoption, hours, fees, lost pets, found pets, animal control, licensing and pet support.
🐶 Adopt a pet — start with the official Ames adoption application
Use this for: adopting cats, dogs, rabbits or small pets from Ames Animal Shelter.
Best official path: review available animals, submit an application listing the animal’s name, wait for approval by email, then schedule the meet and greet appointment.
Before you go: Ames says animals are available for viewing by adoption appointment only, and appointments are scheduled after an application has been submitted.
Ames Animal Shelter Quick Facts Before You Visit
The official shelter is Ames Animal Shelter and Animal Control, located at 325 Billy Sunday Road, Ames, IA 50010. The main phone number is 515-239-5530, and the official email address is amesanimalshelter@cityofames.org.
The shelter handles adoption, animal control, lost and found pets, foster support, volunteer programs, wildlife resources, ownership support and pet relinquishment guidance. The most common user mistake is treating adoption as a walk-in viewing process. Ames clearly states that animals are available for viewing by adoption appointment only, and the appointment is scheduled after an application is submitted and reviewed.
What This Ames Animal Shelter Guide Covers
Ames Animal Shelter Hours, Address and Contact Number
Ames Animal Shelter is located at 325 Billy Sunday Road, Ames, IA 50010. The public shelter hours are Monday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday closed.
The shelter phone number is 515-239-5530. The official email is amesanimalshelter@cityofames.org. Animal Control Officer hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m..
Ames Animal Shelter
325 Billy Sunday Road, Ames, IA 50010
Phone: 515-239-5530
Email: amesanimalshelter@cityofames.org
Monday: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday–Friday: 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday: closed.
Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How to Adopt a Pet From Ames Animal Shelter
The Ames adoption process is simple but strict. First, review the available animals through the official links. Second, submit an adoption application and list the animal’s name on the application. Third, a staff member reviews the application and reaches out by email after approval. If approved, staff schedule an appointment for you to meet the animal.
This is not a casual walk-through adoption model. Ames uses appointments to better serve adopters and to keep animals healthy and happy. That means a strong page should tell users what to do before they visit, not simply show the address and hours.
Review available animals first
Start with the official Ames Adopt page. The City links users to adoptable cats, dogs and small pets through 24PetConnect-style animal listing buttons.
Submit the adoption application online
If you see an animal you are interested in, submit an application and list the animal’s name. Do not assume calling alone reserves the animal.
Wait for application review and email approval
After review, staff contact approved applicants by email. The approval email contains the online appointment scheduling link and any details you need before your meet and greet.
Attend the meet and greet appointment
Use the appointment to ask about age, temperament, medical notes, vaccines, microchip, spay/neuter status, household fit, children, other pets and first-week transition expectations.
Prepare for responsible ownership
Budget for food, supplies, veterinary care, emergency care, preventives, training, grooming, carriers, crates, litter, enrichment and long-term needs before adopting.
Ames Animal Shelter Adoption Fees for Cats, Dogs, Rabbits and Small Pets
The City of Ames Adopt page lists current standard adoption fees as $100 for cats, $100 for dogs, $40 for rabbits and $10 for small animals. The small animal fee may vary for special exotic species, so users should verify before applying for a less common animal.
The official adoption page provides included-care details. For cats, the listed adoption fee includes head-to-tail exams by the registered veterinary technician, spay/neuter before adoption, rabies and FVRCP vaccinations, FeLV/FIV and heartworm status testing, intestinal parasite testing and treatment for identified parasites, flea preventative, a 24PetWatch microchip with lifetime registration, and a carrier to get the cat safely home. For any animal, ask staff what exact records and included services apply to the specific pet.
$100
Includes listed veterinary care, microchip with lifetime 24PetWatch registration and a carrier to get the cat safely home.
$100
Ask staff for the dog’s current vaccine, spay/neuter, microchip, heartworm and medical record details before adopting.
$40
Ask about housing, diet, exercise, veterinary and long-term care before adopting a rabbit.
$10
May vary for special exotic species. Confirm before applying.
Before paying any Ames adoption fee
- Confirm the animal is still available and adoption-ready.
- Ask what medical records, vaccine records, microchip details and spay/neuter details are included.
- Ask whether the pet needs special food, enrichment, housing, training or veterinary follow-up.
- Do not treat the fee as the full cost of ownership.
- Make sure your home, lease, current pets and schedule can support the animal before applying.
How to View Ames Adoptable Cats, Dogs and Small Pets Online
Ames directs users to view adoptable cats, dogs and small pets through the official Adopt page. The page links each animal category to 24PetConnect-style listings. This is the safest starting point for users searching “ames animal shelter dogs,” “ames animal shelter cats,” “ames animal shelter adoption,” or “ames animal shelter available pets.”
Online listings are not a guarantee that a pet will still be available when you apply. A pet may be adopted, reclaimed, moved to foster, transferred, held for review, updated, or temporarily unavailable after your last search. Always submit the official application and wait for staff approval and appointment instructions.
Adoptable Dogs and Cats
Use the official City of Ames Adopt page first, then follow the linked category for current pets.
Official category linksSmall Pets and Rabbits
Small animal and rabbit availability changes quickly. Confirm fee and care needs before applying.
Verify detailsLost Pet in Ames? File a 24/7 Report and Search Found Pet Registries
If your pet is missing in Ames, start immediately. Ames accepts lost animal reports 24/7/365 through its website. These reports are emailed to the animal shelter and animal control team and are posted online for the public to see.
The City recommends updating your pet’s microchip information, searching online found-pet registries, filing a lost report on the shelter website, contacting nearby shelters and checking repeatedly. It also strongly encourages attaching a photo to the lost report because even an imperfect photo can help staff and the public match markings.
515-239-5530
Use this for lost-pet questions, shelter matches and intake guidance.
Contact the microchip company, update your contact information and report the pet lost.
Check 24PetConnect, Petco Love Lost, Iowa Pet Alert, Nextdoor and Facebook lost pet groups continuously.
Use the official Ames Lost/Found page to file a missing pet report and attach a clear photo when possible.
Lost pet steps that actually help
- Call Ames Animal Shelter at 515-239-5530.
- Update your microchip company and mark the pet as lost.
- File the official Ames missing pet report online.
- Attach a photo, even if it is not perfect.
- Search 24PetConnect, Petco Love Lost, Iowa Pet Alert, Nextdoor and local Facebook lost pet groups.
- Contact nearby shelters because some found animals are taken to a different community shelter.
- Keep checking repeatedly because new animals and reports can appear later.
Found a Pet in Ames? Check ID, Scan for a Chip and File a Found Animal Report
If you found a stray animal, Ames recommends first securing the animal safely, then checking for an ID tag or microchip. Bringing a found animal into your home can create risk for you, your pets and your household, so keep animals separate and wash your hands after handling the found animal.
If there is no tag, the pet may still have a microchip. Take the animal to a local veterinarian or animal shelter for a scan. If no owner information is found, search missing-pet posts and create found-pet posts on 24PetConnect, Petco Love Lost, Iowa Pet Alert, Nextdoor, PawBoost and Facebook lost pet pages.
Look for an ID tag only if the animal can be handled safely. Do not handle aggressive, injured or frightened animals yourself.
Ask a local veterinarian or animal shelter to scan for a microchip when safe.
Use 24PetConnect, Petco Love Lost, Iowa Pet Alert, Nextdoor, PawBoost and Facebook lost pet pages.
If kittens are injured, Ames directs users to call Animal Control at 515-231-1080. For very young kittens, do not kitten-nap them if mom is around.
Ames Animal Control Officer Hours, Stray Animals, Kittens and Wildlife Help
Ames Animal Control Officer hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. The shelter phone number is 515-239-5530. The Lost/Found kitten guidance lists 515-231-1080 for injured kittens.
Use the right path based on urgency. Shelter and lost/found questions should start with the official shelter page and phone number. Immediate public safety, active attack, serious bite, injured person or urgent danger should not wait for an email or social media response.
515-239-5530
Use for shelter, adoption, lost/found and animal control questions.
Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
515-231-1080
Use when the official kitten guidance says injured kittens need animal control help.
Use the City’s wildlife resources for non-domestic animal issues instead of treating wildlife like a shelter adoption or lost-pet case.
Ames Pet Licensing, Microchips and Responsible Pet Records
The City of Ames Animal Shelter page lists pet licensing as not required in the City of Ames at this time. That does not mean identification is optional if you care about getting your pet back. A collar tag, updated microchip, current veterinary records and clear owner contact information make lost-pet recovery much faster.
For adoption and lost-pet recovery, records matter. Keep microchip registration, rabies vaccination, adoption paperwork, veterinary records, photos, and emergency contact details in one place. If you move, change phone numbers or change email addresses, update the microchip and any online pet profiles immediately.
Ames lists pet licensing as not required in the City of Ames at this time.
Keep the microchip registry updated with your current phone, address and email.
A visible tag can let a neighbor call you before the animal ever reaches the shelter.
Keep rabies records, adoption paperwork, vet records, pet photos and ownership proof ready.
Ames Foster Program, Pet Relinquishment, Ownership Support and Shelter Statistics
Ames states its goal is always to keep pets out of shelters and in homes with the families who know and love them. Before surrendering a pet, users should review the City’s pet ownership support resources and contact the team for help. This is the right message: surrender should not be the first option if a solvable problem exists.
The Ames foster program provides temporary homes for pets who need extra time or attention before adoption. Foster needs can include orphaned puppies or kittens, pregnant or nursing mothers, pets needing medical or behavioral care, long-stay animals, energetic pets needing more space, or senior pets overwhelmed by the shelter environment. Ames uses an approval process and an “on deck” system for foster homes.
The City also publishes shelter statistics and says Ames is committed to running a no-kill, progressive and responsible animal sheltering agency. The statistics page states that the shelter places over 98% of dogs, cats, rabbits and other small pets into new homes or returns them to their original owners.
Temporary home support for pets needing extra time, medical care, behavior support or shelter relief before adoption.
Use ownership support resources first. Rescues may be better for some animals with breed-specific, medical or behavior needs.
Ames publishes shelter statistics and live release data to support its no-kill sheltering claims.
Use the official volunteer page to learn current requirements before offering help.
Ames Animal Shelter vs 24PetConnect, Petfinder, Facebook and Nearby Shelters
The phrase “ames animal shelter” can lead to the official City of Ames shelter, 24PetConnect listings, Petfinder, Facebook posts, Instagram updates, nearby shelters, lost-pet registries and rescue pages. These are not interchangeable.
City of Ames Animal Shelter and Animal Control at 325 Billy Sunday Road, Ames, IA 50010.
Petfinder-only listings, Facebook posts, private rescue pages, nearby shelters, general 24PetConnect searches or older copied pet photos.
Wrong source means wrong appointment expectation, wrong availability, wrong lost/found report process and wrong animal control route.
Confirm the official cityofames.org page, 325 Billy Sunday Road address, 515-239-5530 phone number and adoption appointment rule.
Official Ames Animal Shelter, Adoption and Animal Control Links
Use these official resources first. This protects users from old hours, copied animal photos, wrong appointment expectations, outdated social posts, incorrect lost/found steps and third-party pages that do not control City of Ames shelter operations.
🏠 Animal Shelter and Animal Control
Main City of Ames Animal Shelter page with address, phone, email, hours and service links.
Open Shelter Home🐾 Adopt
Official appointment-only adoption process, application instructions, fees and category links.
Open Adopt Page🔎 Lost/Found Pets
Official lost report, found report, microchip, registry and kitten guidance.
Open Lost/Found🏠 Foster Program
Official foster program details, foster needs, expectations and approval process.
Open Foster Program🤝 Pet Relinquishment
Official surrender-alternative guidance and resources before giving up a pet.
Open Relinquishment Help📊 Shelter Statistics
Official Ames shelter statistics, no-kill transparency and live release data.
Open Statistics🔎 24PetConnect
Lost/found and adoptable animal search platform referenced by Ames pages.
Open 24PetConnect💙 Petco Love Lost
Lost and found pet registry linked from the City’s lost/found guidance.
Open Petco Love Lost📍 Iowa Pet Alert
Iowa lost and found pet resource linked from Ames lost/found guidance.
Open Iowa Pet AlertPhone, address and contact details
325 Billy Sunday Road, Ames, IA 50010
515-239-5530
Use for adoption, lost/found, animal control and shelter questions.
amesanimalshelter@cityofames.org
Use for non-urgent shelter communication.
515-231-1080
Listed in the City’s found-kitten guidance for injured kittens.
Ames Animal Shelter Map and Visit Location
Ames Animal Shelter is located at 325 Billy Sunday Road, Ames, IA 50010. Use this location for approved adoption appointments, lost-pet checks, shelter questions, foster questions, ownership support and official Animal Shelter and Animal Control contact. Call 515-239-5530 before visiting for one specific pet or appointment-sensitive service.
Ames Animal Shelter and Animal Control
Address: 325 Billy Sunday Road, Ames, IA 50010
Ames Animal Shelter FAQs
What is the official Ames Animal Shelter?
The official shelter is Ames Animal Shelter and Animal Control, operated by the City of Ames at 325 Billy Sunday Road, Ames, IA 50010.
What are Ames Animal Shelter adoption hours in 2026?
Public shelter hours are Monday 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Friday 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday closed. Adoption viewing is by appointment only after an application is submitted and approved.
What is Ames Animal Shelter phone number?
The main phone number is 515-239-5530. The official email is amesanimalshelter@cityofames.org.
Where is Ames Animal Shelter located?
Ames Animal Shelter is located at 325 Billy Sunday Road, Ames, IA 50010.
Can I walk in and view adoptable pets at Ames Animal Shelter?
No. The City states animals are available for viewing by adoption appointment only. Appointments are scheduled after an adoption application has been submitted and approved.
How do I adopt a pet from Ames Animal Shelter?
Review available animals on the official Adopt page, submit an adoption application listing the animal’s name, wait for staff review and approval by email, then schedule a meet and greet appointment using the instructions in the approval email.
How much are adoption fees at Ames Animal Shelter?
The City lists adoption fees as $100 for cats, $100 for dogs, $40 for rabbits and $10 for small animals, with possible variation for special exotic species.
What is included with a cat adoption from Ames Animal Shelter?
The official page lists head-to-tail exams, spay/neuter before adoption, rabies and FVRCP vaccinations, FeLV/FIV and heartworm status testing, intestinal parasite testing and treatment, flea preventative, 24PetWatch microchip with lifetime registration, and a carrier to get the cat safely home.
What should I do if my pet is lost in Ames?
Update the microchip company, search 24PetConnect, Petco Love Lost, Iowa Pet Alert, Nextdoor and Facebook lost pet groups, file the official Ames missing pet report online, attach a photo and call the shelter at 515-239-5530.
What should I do if I found a pet in Ames?
Check for an ID tag only if safe, keep the found animal separate from your pets, have the animal scanned for a microchip, search missing-pet posts and file a found animal report through the official Ames Lost/Found page.
What are Ames Animal Control Officer hours?
Animal Control Officer hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Is pet licensing required in Ames?
The City’s Animal Shelter page lists pet licensing as not required in the City of Ames at this time. Even so, owners should keep ID tags, microchips and veterinary records current.
Best Way to Use Ames Animal Shelter Resources in 2026
The best path is simple: use the official City of Ames Animal Shelter and Animal Control website first, confirm the 325 Billy Sunday Road location, check current hours, remember that adoption viewing is by appointment only, submit the official application before expecting a meet and greet, call 515-239-5530 for shelter questions, and use the Lost/Found page quickly if a pet is missing or found.
For the focus keyword ames animal shelter, this guide covers the full user intent: adoption hours, address, phone number, appointment-only adoption, adoption fees, cat/dog/rabbit/small pet adoption, available animals, lost pets, found pets, animal control officer hours, kittens, wildlife, pet licensing, foster program, pet relinquishment, map and official links. That is the difference between a useful local shelter page and a thin article that only repeats an address.
Important Notice: This article is an independent informational guide and is not the City of Ames, Ames Animal Shelter and Animal Control, a veterinarian, law enforcement, or a legal authority. Adoption availability, appointment rules, shelter hours, adoption fees, animal control response, lost/found report handling, foster needs, pet relinquishment options, wildlife guidance, pet licensing status and shelter operations can change. Always verify urgent or official matters directly with Ames Animal Shelter and Animal Control, emergency services, or the appropriate official agency before acting.