Kenton County Animal Shelter, Adoption & Pets 2026

Address

1020 Mary Laidley Drive, Covington, KY 41017.

Use the map before driving from Covington, Erlanger, Independence, Edgewood, Fort Mitchell, Taylor Mill, Ludlow or other Northern Kentucky areas.

Main phone

859-356-7400.

This is the number listed for both Animal Services and Animal Control contact during normal routing.

Public hours

Tuesday–Friday: noon–6 PM.

Saturday–Sunday: 11 AM–4 PM. Monday is closed to the public.

After-hours animal emergency

For animal-related emergency or non-work-hours Animal Control contact, Kenton County lists 859-356-3191.

Adoption, stray holding and pet care

KCAS shelters domestic animals, lists adoptable pets online, helps lost pets reunite with owners and prepares healthy adoptable animals for placement.

Animal law and public safety

Animal Control Officers enforce state laws and county ordinances related to domestic animal welfare and control, working with local law enforcement agencies when needed.

Licensing, community cats and support

KCAS also connects residents to licensing, microchipping for KCAS-adopted pets, community cat guidance, outdoor cat instructions, foster, volunteer and donation pathways.

$125 adoption fee

• rDAPP-LCGIP immunization listed.
• Kennel cough vaccine listed.
• Dogs over 6 months are heartworm tested.
• Dewormer and flea/tick preventative are listed for all animals.
• Spay/neuter is mandatory and included with adoption.

$125 adoption fee

• RCCP immunization listed.
• FIV and FeLV testing listed.
• Dewormer and flea/tick preventative are listed for all animals.
• Spay/neuter is mandatory and included with adoption.
• Ask about age, litter habits, confidence level and first-week setup.

Plan beyond the fee

• Food, litter, crate, carrier, leash, collar or harness.
• Veterinary follow-up and preventives.
• Annual Kenton County pet license.
• Training, enrichment and emergency savings.
• Housing deposits or pet rent if you rent.

If your pet is missing

• Check the official lost-pet portal and shelter listings repeatedly.
• Call 859-356-7400 with a clear description and last-seen location.
• Update microchip registration and phone numbers immediately.
• Bring proof of ownership: photos, vet records, microchip registration, license, rabies certificate or adoption paperwork.
• Check nearby shelters and city pages because pets can cross county or city lines.
• Do not rely on one online search; visit or call again as intakes update.

If you found a pet

• Keep yourself safe and do not handle aggressive, injured or traffic-endangered animals if unsafe.
• Note exact found location, date, time and direction of travel.
• Ask KCAS whether Animal Control or shelter intake is the correct next step.
• Have the pet scanned for a microchip when safe and appropriate.
• Do not permanently rehome a found pet without proper lost/found steps.
• For after-hours animal-related emergency help, use the listed Emergency Communications route.

Call KCAS

For Animal Control contact during normal routing, call Kenton County Animal Services directly at 859-356-7400.

Emergency Communications

For an animal-related emergency or to contact an Animal Control Officer during non-work hours, call 859-356-3191.

Use emergency services

For active attacks, serious injuries, traffic danger or immediate public-safety threats, use emergency services first.

Before surrendering

• Call 859-356-7400 during business hours and speak with staff.
• Complete the dog or cat behavior questionnaire before the appointment.
• Prepare veterinary records, vaccine history, medication details and microchip information.
• Be honest about bites, aggression, fear, litter habits, house-training, escaping and medical needs.
• Ask whether food, training, temporary help, family placement or rescue options could prevent surrender.

What not to do

• Do not arrive without an appointment.
• Do not leave an animal outside the building.
• Do not hide bite or behavior history.
• Do not assume surrender guarantees adoption placement.
• Do not wait until the last day of a move, eviction or emergency if you can call earlier.

Usually do not bring to shelter

• Healthy adult outdoor cat that is ear-tipped.
• Healthy, uninjured, clawed outdoor cat that is not ear-tipped.
• Likely community cats that have been spayed/neutered and vaccinated under TNR.
• Healthy outdoor cats that may belong to neighbors or live successfully outdoors.

May need shelter intake

• Sick, injured or declawed outdoor cat.
• Mom cat with kittens.
• Kittens under 3.5 pounds.
• Situations where staff instructs you to bring the cat after discussing resources.

Adopted pets only

KCAS states that microchipping service is only available for animals adopted from KCAS at this time.

Home Again database

Kenton County uses Home Again microchip technology, and the pet is entered into the national database.

Keep info current

A microchip is most useful when the phone number and owner information are current. Update the registry after moving or changing numbers.

Volunteer age rule

Volunteers must be at least 16. Volunteers under 18 are limited to non-dog-handling opportunities such as enrichment, housekeeping, cat enrichment and adoption bags.

Volunteer tasks

Tasks can include walking dogs, socializing cats, assisting at adoption events, building enrichment, cleaning dishes and doing laundry.

Foster animals

Foster homes give pets a temporary place outside the shelter, reduce stress and help staff learn more about the animal’s behavior and preferences.

Photo ID

Bring valid identification for adoption, reclaim, surrender appointment questions, licensing and official records.

Housing approval

If you rent, confirm pet permission, breed or size restrictions, deposits and pet-count limits before adopting.

Payment method

Bring payment for adoption fees, reclaim fees, boarding, licensing or rabies voucher needs.

Carrier

Bring a secure carrier for cats or kittens. Loose cats in cars are unsafe and stressful.

Dog transport

Plan for a leash, collar, harness, crate or safe vehicle setup before taking a dog home.

Pet records

For reclaim or surrender, bring photos, vet records, rabies certificate, microchip number, license and medication details.

First 24 hours

• Use a quiet starter room or calm decompression space.
• Do not introduce every family member, neighbor and pet immediately.
• Use a leash, crate or carrier during all transport.
• Expect hiding, barking, whining, reduced appetite or nervous behavior.
• Keep adoption contract, vaccine records, microchip notes and medical instructions together.

Days 2–7

• Build a predictable feeding, potty, walk, litter and rest routine.
• Introduce resident pets slowly and safely.
• Schedule veterinary follow-up if needed.
• Monitor coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, limping, refusal to eat or severe fear.
• Ask for training or behavior help early if concerns appear.

Arrive early

Do not arrive near closing if you need adoption counseling, reclaim paperwork or licensing help.

Remember Monday closure

Monday is closed to the public. Use emergency contact routes for urgent animal-related issues.

Check listings first

Adoptable pet availability changes quickly. Use the official portal and call before a long drive.

Before visiting

• Do not visit on Monday expecting public shelter service.
• Do not rely on old third-party directory hours.
• Do not drive for one animal without checking availability.
• Do not forget proof of ownership when reclaiming a pet.
• Do not forget that Kenton County pets need current licensing.

Before calling or bringing an animal

• Do not handle aggressive or injured animals yourself if unsafe.
• Do not surrender a pet without scheduling an appointment.
• Do not bring healthy adult outdoor cats without checking KCAS guidance.
• Do not hide bite, behavior or medical history.
• Do not use the adoption process for an animal-control emergency.