What the Memphis Animal Shelter Does

Memphis Animal Services is the city-operated shelter serving Memphis residents. It is the main place many people use for pet adoption, dog and cat reclaim, lost-and-found pet help, animal control requests, fostering, rescue partner coordination, and pet-owner support resources.

The shelter is not only an adoption building. MAS also works with stray animals, owner-surrender situations, cruelty and neglect cases, animal control officers, foster homes, rescue partners, and residents who need help keeping pets safely at home. If you are planning to visit, the most important step is to understand which service you need before you drive to Appling City Cove.

Memphis Animal Services Adoption Hours 2026

Memphis Animal Services lists adoption, reclaim, and rescue hours as Tuesday through Friday from 1 PM to 6 PM and Saturday through Sunday from 12 PM to 4 PM. The MAS adoption page says no appointment is needed to meet pets at the shelter during open adoption hours.

For reclaim questions, the MAS FAQ also lists Monday as by appointment only. If you are reclaiming a lost pet, call first, use the animal ID number from the online listing or notice, and bring proof of ownership so staff can help you faster.

Memphis Animal Shelter Address, Phone, and Contact Details

The shelter is located at 2350 Appling City Cove, Memphis, TN 38133. The main phone number is (901) 636-1416. MAS also lists email contact through its official website, but for urgent questions about reclaiming a pet, adoption timing, or an animal service request, calling during open service hours is often the fastest path.

If you are visiting for adoption, use the address above for directions. If you are contacting MAS for animal control, remember that Memphis Animal Services states that animal control responses are for the City of Memphis only. If you live outside the city limits, you may need your local municipal or county animal service agency.

Memphis Animal Shelter Adoption Fees

Memphis Animal Services publishes regular adoption fees by animal type. The adoption fee includes key veterinary and identification services for adopted pets, such as spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping, and testing where applicable. Dogs also receive a new collar and leash, and dogs and cats receive engravable ID tags according to the MAS adoption information.

Animal Type	Published Adoption Fee	What to Know Before You Adopt
Adult Dogs	$50	Dogs are heartworm tested and include adoption veterinary basics listed by MAS.
Puppies under 6 months	$80	Ask about age, vaccine schedule, spay/neuter status, and follow-up care.
Small Breed Dogs under 25 lbs, 6+ months	$80	Small dogs may receive high interest; visit early and confirm availability.
Adult Cats	$50	Ask whether the cat has any special housing, diet, or medical notes.
Kittens under 6 months	$80	Kittens may need age-appropriate follow-up veterinary care after adoption.
Horse	$250	Confirm care requirements, transport, and availability directly with MAS.
Large Bird	$40	Ask about species-specific housing and long-term care needs.
Pig or Goat	$30	Check local rules, property suitability, and transport before adopting.
Rabbit, Ferret, or Small Bird	$20	Ask about cage setup, diet, handling, and veterinary needs.
Hamster, Guinea Pig, Gerbil, Snake, or Lizard	$10	Research habitat, heat, food, and safety requirements before committing.
Chicken or Rat	$5	Confirm local animal rules and care needs before adoption.

MAS states that adopters need a valid government-issued photo ID and that credit/debit cards are accepted, with no checks or cash. The name on the payment card should match the adopter’s ID. Because fees, events, and payment policies can change, confirm the current details before visiting.

How to Adopt from Memphis Animal Services

Adoptions at MAS are first-come, first-served. You can submit an inquiry about a pet online, but MAS explains that adoptions must be finalized in person at the shelter because many animals receive multiple inquiries. The best plan is to choose a few pets you like, then visit during open adoption hours with enough time to meet animals and complete paperwork.

1. Search available pets online: Review dogs, cats, and other pets listed by Memphis Animal Services.
2. Check whether the pet is at the shelter or in foster care: Foster pets may require an application and coordination with the foster family.
3. Visit during adoption hours: Go Tuesday–Friday from 1 PM to 6 PM or Saturday–Sunday from 12 PM to 4 PM.
4. Bring valid ID: MAS requires a valid government-issued photo ID for adoption.
5. Bring the right payment method: MAS lists credit/debit cards only, with no checks or cash.
6. Ask matching questions: Discuss energy level, health notes, behavior observations, children, other pets, and transition needs.
7. Plan safe transport: Bring a leash, carrier, crate, or safe vehicle setup depending on the animal.

What Is Included in the MAS Adoption Fee?

Memphis Animal Services says adopted pets leave with important care already completed. Your adopted pet will already be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and tested where applicable. Dogs are heartworm tested, and cats may receive FIV/FeLV testing when applicable.

This is important for adopters because the fee is not just a purchase price. It helps cover essential shelter medical care and identification services that would often cost more if arranged separately. After adoption, however, you still need to establish care with your own veterinarian for future vaccines, preventives, dental care, diet questions, behavior support, and any ongoing medical needs.

Lost Pets and Reclaiming a Pet at Memphis Animal Services

If your pet is missing in Memphis, check the MAS website quickly and often. MAS recommends writing down the animal ID number from the website or notice, then calling (901) 636-1416 extension 2 or visiting during adoption/reclaim hours.

Bring a photo ID and proof of ownership. Helpful proof may include clear photos, veterinary records, vaccine records, microchip information, rabies certificate, spay/neuter records, license information, or any details that clearly connect you to the pet. MAS notes that reclaim fees vary by case and that the goal is to reunite pets with their families.

Found a Stray Dog or Cat in Memphis

If you find a friendly animal that is safe to handle, first check for an ID tag and try to get the pet scanned for a microchip at a vet clinic, shelter, or participating pet store. MAS points out that many pets live near where they are found, so posting on neighborhood groups, Nextdoor, and social media can help reunite pets quickly.

If you cannot locate the owner, use MAS found-pet guidance. If the animal is injured, aggressive, in danger, or creating an urgent safety issue, MAS guidance references calling 545-COPS for those situations. If a person’s safety is immediately at risk, call 911.

Memphis Animal Control: When to Request Help

Memphis Animal Services responds to requests for animal control within the City of Memphis only. This matters because people in nearby cities, suburbs, or unincorporated areas may need a different local agency. MAS animal control requests are appropriate for city animal-service concerns that require official response but are not immediate human-safety emergencies.

Owner Surrender and Pet Support Resources

MAS encourages residents to seek help before giving up a pet. The shelter’s request-assistance page says MAS does not want people to give up pets when support may help keep them at home. If you are struggling financially or facing a temporary crisis, check MAS pet resources before assuming surrender is the only option.

Owner surrender may involve forms, timing, capacity limits, and guidance from MAS. Do not leave an animal outside the shelter after hours. Contact MAS, explain your situation honestly, and ask whether pet food support, medical resources, temporary fostering, rehoming help, or other community support may be available.

Best Time to Visit Memphis Animal Services

The best time to visit for adoption is usually earlier in the open window, especially on weekends. Arriving early gives you more time to meet pets, ask questions, review adoption notes, and complete the process before closing. If you arrive close to the end of the day, you may not have enough time to finish adoption or reclaim steps.

If you are coming for a specific animal, verify whether the pet is physically at the shelter or in foster care. Some MAS pets are in foster homes, and those meet-and-greets may need coordination through an application rather than a walk-in visit.

What to Bring to the Memphis Animal Shelter

• Valid government-issued photo ID.
• Credit or debit card with a name matching your ID if adopting.
• Pet ID number or screenshot if you are visiting for a specific animal.
• Proof of ownership if reclaiming a lost pet, such as photos, vet records, vaccine records, microchip details, or license information.
• Carrier for cats, rabbits, small animals, or nervous pets when appropriate.
• Leash, collar, crate, or safe vehicle setup for dogs.
• Housing approval if your lease, landlord, or HOA has pet restrictions.
• Questions about health, behavior, vaccines, heartworm status, spay/neuter, and adjustment needs.

Official Memphis Animal Services Links

Use official MAS pages for current shelter hours, adoption fees, available pets, lost-and-found guidance, pet support, and animal control requests. Third-party listings can help you discover pets, but official MAS pages should be your final source before visiting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Showing up outside adoption hours: MAS adoption, reclaim, and rescue hours are not all-day office hours.
• Forgetting payment rules: MAS lists credit/debit cards only for adoption payment, with no checks or cash.
• Assuming online inquiry reserves a pet: MAS says adoptions are first-come, first-served and finalized in person.
• Missing foster-care details: Some pets are in foster homes and may require an application before a meet-and-greet.
• Not bringing ownership proof: Reclaiming a lost pet is easier with photos, vet records, microchip details, and ID.
• Calling MAS for areas outside Memphis: MAS animal control response is for the City of Memphis only.
• Waiting too long to search for a lost pet: Check listings, call, and visit quickly because shelter populations change fast.

Source Verification and Accuracy Note

Visitor Snapshot: Is MAS the Right Place?

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Takeaway

Memphis Animal Services is the official City of Memphis animal shelter for adoption, reclaim, rescue coordination, lost-and-found pets, pet support, and city animal service requests. The key visitor details are simple: go to 2350 Appling City Cove, call (901) 636-1416, visit during listed adoption/reclaim hours, bring a valid ID, and confirm current fees and availability through the official MAS website before you drive.