San Antonio Animal Shelter: ACS Adoption Hours, Lost Pets, Fees & Animal Control 2026
San Antonio Animal Shelter searches usually mean City of San Antonio Animal Care Services at the 151 Main Campus. This guide helps you check adoptable pets, adoption hours, lost and found steps, reclaim fees, owner surrender rules, 311 animal-control reports, foster help and the right phone number before you visit.
If you are searching for San Antonio animal shelter, ACS San Antonio, Animal Care Services, adoptable dogs, adoptable cats, lost pets, found pets, animal control, owner surrender, urgent pets, 311 animal reports, or the shelter at 4710 State Hwy 151, this 2026 guide gives you the practical details in one place. You can use it to plan a walk-in adoption, search the official pet database, understand city shelter hours, prepare reclaim proof, report animal incidents, avoid same-day surrender mistakes, check impoundment fees, compare nearby Texas shelter guides and know when to call 3-1-1, 210-207-6000, or 210-207-4738.
San Antonio Animal Shelter quick answer
Official name: City of San Antonio Animal Care Services. Main campus: 4710 State Hwy 151, San Antonio, TX 78227. General information: 210-207-4738. Report an animal problem: 3-1-1 or 210-207-6000. Adoption hours: Monday through Friday 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Walk-in adoptions are accepted with no appointment needed. The best first step is to search official ACS pet listings, save the animal ID, then visit during open hours with ID, transport supplies and backup pet choices.
Official San Antonio ACS links
Use these official City of San Antonio links for live pet listings, adoption process, lost and found help, surrender appointments, incident reports, fee schedule and volunteer/foster support.
Animal-Shelter.org is independent and is not the official City of San Antonio website.
San Antonio ACS adoption hours and best visit timing
ACS lists weekday hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekend hours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted for adoption, but you should not arrive close to closing if you hope to meet pets, ask questions, complete paperwork and arrange safe transport.
| Day | Listed shelter hours | Best visitor move |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 11 a.m.–7 p.m. | Good weekday option; search pets online before visiting. |
| Tuesday | 11 a.m.–7 p.m. | Call if your visit depends on one specific animal. |
| Wednesday | 11 a.m.–7 p.m. | Arrive early enough for paperwork and transport planning. |
| Thursday | 11 a.m.–7 p.m. | Useful for adoption, reclaim questions and lost-pet shelter checks. |
| Friday | 11 a.m.–7 p.m. | Expect busier adoption interest before weekends and promotions. |
| Saturday | 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Shorter weekend window; choose backup pets before leaving home. |
| Sunday | 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Check pet listings and holiday notices before driving. |
How to adopt from San Antonio Animal Care Services
ACS adoption is straightforward if you prepare first. Use the pet search, save animal IDs, check if a pet is at the ACS campus or in foster care, and remember that online status can change quickly.
Search the official ACS Pet Search
Filter by dog, cat, other pet, age, gender, size, campus, foster care, special needs, good with dogs, good with cats or good with kids if those filters are available. Save the animal ID, photo and notes.
Pick several backup pets
A pet may be adopted, reclaimed, transferred to rescue, moved to foster, placed in medical review or become unavailable before you arrive. Keep two or three backup choices.
Visit during adoption hours
ACS lists walk-in adoption with no appointment needed. Bring valid ID, payment method, transport supplies and enough time for questions.
Ask before you sign
Ask about spay/neuter status, vaccines, microchip, behavior notes, foster notes, medical holds, urgent placement status, first-week decompression and whether the pet can go home the same day.
Prepare for Texas spay/neuter rules
The City adoption process notes that pets leaving the shelter must be spayed or neutered unless a veterinarian directs otherwise for legitimate health reasons. Ask whether that is complete or scheduled.
San Antonio ACS fees: adoption, reclaim and surrender planning
Adoption promotions can change, so check the live pet search or official ACS adoption page before assuming a final adoption cost. For reclaim and surrender, the official fee schedule gives planning amounts you should verify before payment.
| Fee type | Official listed amount | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Return-to-owner impoundment, 1st occurrence | $50* | Owner is responsible for impoundment fee, daily boarding, vaccinations and microchip when applicable. |
| Return-to-owner impoundment, 2nd occurrence | $100* | Repeat impounds can cost more. Bring proof quickly to reduce boarding time. |
| Return-to-owner impoundment, 3rd occurrence | $150* | Ask ACS for the exact total before traveling. |
| Return-to-owner impoundment, 4th occurrence | $200* | Higher repeat fee; additional rules may apply. |
| Regular boarding | $10/day | Costs can increase each day your pet remains impounded. |
| Owner surrender | $25 per pet or litter | City of San Antonio residents only; appointment required and same-day requests are not accepted. |
| Microchip | Free for City of San Antonio residents | Lifetime registration is listed for city residents; verify current eligibility. |
*The official fee schedule notes owners may also be responsible for daily boarding, vaccinations and microchip where applicable.
What to bring before visiting ACS
Whether you are adopting, reclaiming or surrendering, preparation saves time and reduces confusion.
Lost and found pets in San Antonio
If your pet is missing, act fast. Search the ACS pet database, visit the shelter if you think a listing may match your pet, update microchip contact details and keep checking because new animals enter the system frequently.
Reclaim proof checklist
San Antonio animal control: when to call 311, ACS or emergency help
ACS handles animal-related call-for-service requests inside City of San Antonio limits through 311. Calls are prioritized, especially for injured animals, cruelty, aggressive animals, bites and neglect during extreme weather.
When reporting, write down the exact location, animal description, owner details if known, time, direction of travel, injury level and whether people are in immediate danger.
Owner surrender at San Antonio ACS
ACS says owner surrender requires an appointment and same-day requests are not accepted. The surrender page also warns that shelter capacity is low and encourages owners to exhaust other rehoming options first.
Surrender appointment checklist
Foster, rescue, volunteer and urgent pets
If you cannot adopt, San Antonio ACS still has practical ways to help. Fostering can open kennel space, volunteering can support daily care, and rescue placement can help urgent animals that need transfer.
San Antonio ACS visit planner
Use this helper before calling or driving. It does not search the live ACS database; it gives you the right next-step plan based on your situation.
Common San Antonio ACS mistakes to avoid
Map to San Antonio Animal Care Services
Use this map for route planning to 4710 State Hwy 151, San Antonio, TX 78227. Check the official ACS pages before driving if you are visiting for a specific pet, surrender appointment, lost-pet reclaim, animal-control report or event promotion.
Map is for visitor planning only. Confirm current hours, pet availability, fees, forms and service rules on the official City of San Antonio ACS website.
Call scripts for faster help
San Antonio Animal Shelter FAQs
What is San Antonio Animal Shelter officially called?
The official city shelter and animal-control department is City of San Antonio Animal Care Services, often shortened to ACS.
Where is San Antonio Animal Care Services located?
ACS is located at 4710 State Hwy 151, San Antonio, TX 78227.
What is the San Antonio ACS phone number?
General information is 210-207-4738. Animal-related service requests inside City limits can be made through 3-1-1 or 210-207-6000.
What are San Antonio ACS adoption hours?
ACS lists Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Do I need an appointment to adopt from San Antonio ACS?
No. The official adoption process page says walk-ins are accepted and no appointment is needed for adoption.
Where can I see adoptable pets?
Use the official ACS Pet Search database to browse available pets, foster pets, urgent pets and animals in the shelter system.
What should I do if my pet is missing?
Search ACS Pet Search, visit the shelter quickly if a listing may match, bring proof of ownership, update microchip contact details and keep checking often.
How do I report an animal problem in San Antonio?
Call 3-1-1 or 210-207-6000, report online or use the 311 mobile app for animal-related service requests inside City limits.
Can I surrender a pet the same day?
No. The official owner surrender page says you must book an appointment first and same-day requests are not accepted.
Is Animal-Shelter.org the official San Antonio ACS website?
No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent guide. Use City of San Antonio ACS official pages for live listings, fees, hours, forms and service rules.
Final takeaway
San Antonio Animal Shelter searches usually point to City of San Antonio Animal Care Services at 4710 State Hwy 151. For adoption, search ACS Pet Search first, visit during listed hours, and bring ID plus safe transport supplies. For animal-control reports, use 311 or 210-207-6000. For lost pets, act fast and visit if you see a possible match. For surrender, book an appointment first because same-day requests are not accepted.
Animal Shelter Action Planner: Lost Pet, Found Pet, Adoption, Reclaim & Surrender Helper
Use this free tool to create a practical next-step plan before visiting or contacting an animal shelter, humane society, rescue, or animal control agency. It does not search a live shelter database, but it helps you prepare the right documents, questions, safety steps, and official-source searches.
Build a USA-wide shelter action plan
Select your situation and location. The tool will create a general action plan, search links, call questions, and a copyable checklist.
Lost pet recovery checklist
Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.
Found pet safety decision helper
Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.
Adoption readiness checker
This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.
Pet reclaim document checklist
If your pet may be at a shelter, prepare proof before visiting. Exact requirements and fees vary by agency.
Owner surrender preparation helper
Surrender rules vary. Many shelters require appointments, proof of residence, behavior/medical information, and may offer alternatives.
Animal control contact decision helper
Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.
Adoption and first-month budget planner
This is a planning guide, not a shelter fee database. Always confirm adoption fees and included services with the shelter.
Your generated shelter plan
Your action plan, search links, call script, checklist, or budget guide will appear here.
Start with the Planner tab
Select your state, city/county/ZIP, pet type, and goal. The tool will create a practical USA-wide shelter action plan.
Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.