Adams County Animal Shelter, Control & Adoption 2026

Official shelter location

Riverdale Animal Shelter, 12155 Park Blvd, Brighton, CO 80601.

Use the map below for directions before driving.

Main phone

720-523-PETS (7387).

Call once and leave a voicemail if needed because the shelter notes high call volume.

Public hours

Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 11 AM–6 PM.

Wed: 1 PM–6 PM. Sat–Sun: 10 AM–5 PM.

Animal control

For pet-animal complaints in Adams County Animal Management service areas, use 303-288-1535.

City-specific numbers may apply.

Adams County, Colorado

Use this page for Riverdale Animal Shelter, Brighton, Commerce City, Federal Heights, Northglenn, Thornton, Bennett, Hudson, Lochbuie and unincorporated Adams County service questions.

Old Adams County shelter searches

Older directories may still show “Adams County Animal Shelter” or old Brighton-area information. For current county shelter services, follow Riverdale Animal Shelter pages.

Not Indiana, Pennsylvania or Washington

If you are searching for Adams County SPCA, Adams County IN Animal Shelter, or another state, do not use Colorado hours, fees or phone numbers.

Dogs, cats and other pets

The shelter cares for adoptable dogs, cats, small mammals, birds, reptiles and sometimes small farm animals or fowl depending on intake.

Reuniting pets

Riverdale scans found pets for microchips, posts lost pets online and holds lost pets for a minimum period so owners can search.

Animal services

Services can include licensing, low-cost vaccination and microchip clinics, surrender support, community cat guidance and animal-control routing.

Dogs

Ask about leash skills, barking, energy, handling, kennel stress, separation anxiety, other dogs and home environment.

Cats

Ask whether the cat is shy, social, active, litter trained, comfortable with children or better for a quiet home.

Small animals

Ask about cage size, bedding, diet, daily handling, pair needs, heat sensitivity and safe transport.

Small farm animals

Ask about local rules, coop or shelter setup, fencing, predator protection and long-term care before adopting.

If your pet is missing

• Check the official lost-and-found page repeatedly.
• Check 24PetConnect because Riverdale registers lost pets there.
• Visit the shelter in person frequently, preferably daily.
• Update microchip contact information immediately.
• Bring photos, vet records, license tag information and proof of ownership.
• Search nearby shelters if your pet may have crossed jurisdiction lines.

If you found a pet

• Keep yourself safe and do not handle an aggressive or injured animal if unsafe.
• Bring the pet to Riverdale if it was found in the shelter’s service area and you can safely transport it.
• Ask a nearby veterinary clinic or animal protection officer to scan for a microchip if that is faster.
• Note the exact location, date and time found.
• Do not permanently rehome a found pet without giving the owner a fair chance to reclaim.

ADCOM number

Adams County Animal Management says pet-animal complaints should be reported to the Adams County Communications Center at 303-288-1535.

Bites, stray animals and neglect

Animal Management lists bite or attack, dangerous dog, stray animals, neglect or abuse and unreasonable animal noise as types of calls officers handle.

Use emergency help

For active attacks, serious injury, life-threatening danger or urgent public safety risk, use emergency services instead of waiting for normal shelter response.

Before surrendering

• Call 720-523-PETS (7387) or use the official surrender appointment route.
• Explain whether the issue is food, medical care, behavior, housing, domestic violence or another crisis.
• Ask about resources that could help keep the pet with you safely.
• Prepare the pet’s age, medical history, vaccine information, behavior notes and bite history.
• Ask whether your city or jurisdiction is in the shelter service area.

Surrender fees and routing

• Cats and dogs: listed surrender fee is $50.
• Litters with or without mother: listed at $65–$95.
• Small animals or small farm animals: listed at $5–$50.
• Out-of-jurisdiction surrender has an added $50 fee.
• Private rehoming may be a better option if you can safely keep the pet temporarily.

Community cats

Riverdale’s animal-control page explains trap-neuter-return and lists organizations that can help with feral cats. Riverdale may provide TNR services on a limited basis.

Wildlife questions

Riverdale provides care for domestic companion animals and generally is not equipped for wildlife. Colorado Parks & Wildlife is the recommended wildlife route.

Do not handle risky animals

Do not handle bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes or injured wildlife. Keep children and pets away and call the proper authority.

Dog licensing

For unincorporated Adams County, Riverdale lists dog license fees as waived if the pet is spayed or neutered and $25 if not spayed or neutered.

Vaccination clinics

Low-cost clinic fees listed include rabies, distemper/panleukopenia for cats, distemper/parvo for dogs, Bordetella and microchip service.

Reclaim fees

Impound and daily care fees may apply, and fees can increase when emergency, medical or overnight care is required.

Photo ID

Bring valid identification for adoption, reclaim, licensing, surrender appointments and official service questions.

Housing approval

If renting, confirm pet permission, breed restrictions, size limits, pet count, deposits and HOA rules before adopting.

Payment method

Bring accepted payment and confirm the exact fee for your animal or service before checkout.

Dog transport plan

Bring or plan for leash, collar, harness, crate or safe car setup depending on the dog’s needs.

Cat carrier

Bring a secure carrier for cats or small animals. A loose cat in a car or parking lot is unsafe.

Reclaim proof

Bring photos, microchip details, vet records, rabies certificate, license tag and proof of ownership if reclaiming a lost pet.

First 24 hours

• Set up a quiet starter room or calm sleeping space.
• Do not introduce all people and pets immediately.
• Use leash, crate or carrier safety during arrival.
• Expect stress behaviors such as hiding, barking, pacing or reduced appetite.
• Keep adoption packet, microchip, vaccine and vet-visit information together.

Days 2–7

• Build a predictable feeding, potty, walking and rest routine.
• Use slow introductions with resident pets.
• Avoid crowded dog parks or overwhelming outings too soon.
• Use the free participating vet visit within the listed window if included.
• Ask for behavior help early if fear, separation, reactivity or illness appears.

Arrive early

Give yourself enough time for the survey, pet visit, counseling, paperwork and payment.

Check pet status

Online availability can change. A pet you saw online may already have found a home.

Stay flexible

Your best match may not be the first photo you liked. Ask staff to help match your home, schedule and experience level.

Before visiting

• Do not use outdated 10705 Fulton address information from old directories.
• Do not forget that Wednesday opens later than other weekdays.
• Do not arrive less than one hour before closing expecting a full adoption process.
• Do not assume one phone number covers every city animal-control route.
• Do not wait days to check in person if your pet is missing.

Before adopting or surrendering

• Do not adopt without checking housing rules and first-week setup.
• Do not skip dog-to-dog meet-and-greet guidance if you already have a dog.
• Do not surrender without scheduling and asking about resources first.
• Do not hide medical needs, bite history or behavior issues.
• Do not bring wildlife to the shelter unless directed by the correct authority.