Louisville Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026

Louisville, Kentucky Shelter Guide

Louisville Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026

Use this guide before visiting Louisville Metro Animal Services, often searched as Louisville Animal Shelter, LMAS, Animal House Adoption Center, or Louisville animal control. It explains adoption hours, the two Newburg Road locations, adoption fees, same-day adoption rules, foster pet meet-and-greets, lost and found pets, stray animal service requests, pet licensing, surrender rules, reclaim fees, map directions and official Louisville links.

The main thing to know: Animal House Adoption Center is the public adoption location, while the LMAS shelter at 3528 Newburg Road handles shelter intake, lost/found pets, licensing and animal-services matters. Do not take surrenders or intakes to Animal House.

Quick Answer Adoption Steps Official Links

Animal House: 3516 Newburg Rd LMAS Shelter: 3528 Newburg Rd 502-473-PETS Same-day walk-in adoptions No intakes at Animal House

Fast answer: Louisville Metro Animal Services uses two nearby Newburg Road locations. Animal House Adoption Center is at 3516 Newburg Road and is the main public adoption location. LMAS Animal Care Complex / shelter is at 3528 Newburg Road and is used for animal services, lost/found pets, licensing and shelter operations. The main phone number is 502-473-PETS (7387). Official Louisville pages show same-day walk-in adoption at Animal House, but they display some conflicting adoption-hour details, so confirm before a Monday visit or extended evening visit.

Louisville Animal Shelter Quick Details

These details cover the most common searches: Louisville animal shelter hours, LMAS adoption center, Animal House Adoption Center, adoptable dogs, adoptable cats, animal control phone number, lost pet help, surrender rules, licensing fees and Newburg Road directions.

ADOPT

Adoption location

Animal House Adoption Center, 3516 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY 40218.

Use this location for regular public adoption visits.

LMAS

Shelter location

LMAS Animal Care Complex, 3528 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY 40218.

Use this for shelter services, lost/found and licensing routes.

CALL

Main phone

502-473-PETS (7387).

Use this for adoptions, animal-control service requests and LMAS questions.

HRS

Hours caution

Official Louisville pages show some conflicting Animal House hour details.

Confirm before Monday visits or extended evening visits.

Important location rule: Animal House is for adoptions. Louisville’s official Animal House page says no animal surrenders or intakes at Animal House. Use the LMAS shelter / official intake route for lost, found, stray or surrender matters.

Animal House vs LMAS Shelter: Which Location Do You Need?

Many users search “Louisville animal shelter near me” and arrive at the wrong door. The two locations are close, but the service purpose is different.

Need	Best Louisville Route	Why It Matters
Adopt a dog, cat or small pet	Animal House Adoption Center, 3516 Newburg Road	Animal House is the public adoption location for currently adoptable pets.
Lost pet search or found-pet registration	LMAS Shelter, 3528 Newburg Road	Lost/found animals must be physically registered at the shelter to begin Kentucky’s 5-day stray hold.
Animal control, cruelty, bites, confined strays	502-473-PETS or Metro311 route	Animal Control service requests need location details, animal description and contact information.
Owner surrender	Pet Resources / Pet History Form route first	LMAS does not accept owner surrenders without appointment and will call if space is available.
Pet license	DocuPet online, LMAS in person, or mail	Louisville requires cats and dogs to be licensed and rabies vaccinated.

Louisville Animal Shelter Adoption Hours 2026

Louisville’s official pages do not all show the exact same Animal House hour note. The safest answer is to use the official page before driving and call 502-473-PETS when your visit depends on Monday access, Friday evening access or a specific pet.

Location / Service	Official Hours Found	Practical Visitor Guidance
LMAS Animal Care Complex / shelter	Monday–Saturday 12 PM–6 PM; Sunday and some holidays closed.	Use for shelter services, lost/found pet registration, licensing and animal-services routes.
Animal House Adoption Center	About page and FAQ show 12 PM–6 PM daily, with Friday until 7 PM.	Useful for same-day walk-in adoption, but confirm before late Friday or holiday visits.
Animal House specific page	Shows Tuesday–Sunday 12 PM–6 PM, Wednesday until 7 PM, Monday and holidays closed.	Because this differs from the About/FAQ pages, call before a Monday visit or Wednesday/Friday evening visit.
Foster pet meet-and-greet	By scheduling, not normal walk-through only.	If the pet is in foster, you need to schedule a meet-and-greet rather than expecting the pet to be at Animal House.

Best adoption timing: Visit earlier in the day, especially Friday after 3 PM or weekends, because LMAS says those are usually busy. Bring backup pet choices and do not arrive near closing expecting a full adoption process.

How to Adopt from Louisville Metro Animal Services

LMAS offers same-day walk-in adoptions at Animal House, but you still need approval and a completed adoption survey/application before adoption. A better visit starts online and ends with realistic first-week questions.

Check official adoptable pets first

Browse adoptable dogs and cats before driving. Pet listings can change several times a day, and the FAQ says a listed pet may already be adopted or otherwise unavailable.

official LMAS adoption information

Go to Animal House, not the intake shelter

For adoption, enter through the front double doors at Animal House, 3516 Newburg Road. The 3528 Newburg Road shelter is important for lost/found and shelter operations, but Animal House is the adoption visit location.

Fill out the adoption survey

LMAS says an adoption survey is filled out before meeting pets. You can complete an online application or do it in person at Animal House.

official LMAS pet application

Expect wait time during busy periods

LMAS notes that it is normally busiest on Fridays after 3 PM and on weekends. An adoption counselor calls you when it is your turn, reviews pet details and brings the pet out to meet you.

Ask practical home-fit questions

Ask about energy level, medical notes, foster notes, other-pet fit, children, apartment restrictions, first-week adjustment, training needs and whether the pet has any special follow-up instructions.

Best adopter question: “What does this pet need in the first 72 hours at home?” This gives better guidance than only asking breed, age or whether the pet is friendly.

Louisville Animal Shelter Adoption Fees

LMAS adoption fees can change by agency discretion, special adoption events, pet size, pet age and FOMAS-supported fee waivers. Use this as a planning guide, then confirm the current fee for the exact pet.

Large dogs and adult cats

Often free with license

LMAS says dogs over 40 pounds and cats over 6 months are always free thanks to FOMAS, with a $25 Lifetime Pet License for Jefferson County residents.

Kittens

$100 listed fee

Kittens have a listed adoption fee of $100. Ask whether any promotion, foster status or special condition changes the final amount.

Small dogs

$150 listed fee

Dogs 39 pounds or less have a listed adoption fee of $150. Adoption fees are subject to change by agency discretion.

What is included: LMAS says all adopted pets will be spayed or neutered, microchipped and up to date on age-appropriate vaccines. Ask staff if any medical follow-up, license step or foster meet-and-greet applies to the specific pet.

Stray-Hold Pet Reservations: What Louisville Adopters Should Know

Some pets may appear online while still on stray hold. LMAS allows interested adopters to reserve certain stray-hold pets in person, but the fee is non-refundable and the original owner may still reclaim the pet.

$50

Reservation fee

LMAS lists a $50 non-refundable fee to reserve a pet on stray hold, on a first-come, first-served basis.

In person only

Reservations can only be done in person. Do not assume an online application alone reserves a stray-hold pet.

OWNER

Owner reclaim possible

If the pet is reunited with its owner, LMAS says the deposit can be used toward another pet for up to 12 months.

Lost and Found Pets at Louisville Metro Animal Services

Lost-pet searches fail when owners only check one social post. LMAS says lost pets can be found weeks to months after they go missing, so keep checking, visit the shelter, post flyers and contact the microchip company.

If your pet is missing

Go to the shelter at 3528 Newburg Road to look for your pet.
Search official found-pet listings repeatedly.
Post flyers where the pet went missing.
Alert your microchip company and update your contact information.
Bring proof of ownership, photos, vet records, microchip details and license information for reclaim.
Do not give up after one day; LMAS says pets can be found weeks to months later.

If you found a pet

Check for a tag if safe.
Ask a vet, shelter or animal services route about microchip scanning.
Report and register the found pet through the correct LMAS route.
Bring pets to the LMAS shelter during open hours when instructed.
Do not permanently rehome a found pet without following official lost/found steps.
Use animal control help if the animal is unsafe, injured or difficult to contain.

5-day stray hold note: LMAS says all pets must be physically registered at 3528 Newburg Road to begin Kentucky’s 5-day stray hold. For cats found without signs of ownership, LMAS describes community-cat evaluation and return-to-field handling.

Louisville Animal Control: Service Requests, 311 and Urgent Routing

People search “Louisville animal control” for many different problems: stray dogs, cruelty, bites, chaining violations, inhumane treatment, confined strays, abandoned animals, lack of shelter, food, water or vet care, and bats in a home. The right route depends on urgency.

Animal Control

Call 502-473-PETS

LMAS says to call 473-PETS for animal control service requests. If you do not reach a dispatcher, leave a detailed message.

Metro311

Use 311 or 502-574-5000

Metrocall takes service requests Monday–Friday 7 AM–7 PM. You can call 311 or 502-574-5000.

Emergency

Call 911 after hours

LMAS says dispatchers are available 7:30 AM–10:30 PM daily for service requests. For after-hour emergencies, call 911.

Better report script: “I am reporting [cruelty/stray/bite/confined dog/bat/chaining/abandonment] at [exact address]. The animal is [description]. I witnessed [specific detail]. My name and phone are [details].”

Wildlife and dead animal note: LMAS says Animal Services does not take wildlife complaints or remove deceased animals on the side of the road. For wild animals, it points users to Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549. Dead animal reports go through the city reporting route.

Louisville Pet Licensing: What Adopters and Owners Need

Licensing is not just paperwork. Louisville says all cats and dogs must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. The city uses DocuPet for online licensing, renewals and lost-pet support.

License Type	Listed Fee	What to Know
Lifetime License	$25	To obtain lifetime licensing, pets must be spayed/neutered, microchipped and current on rabies vaccination.
Senior Lifetime License	$12.50	Discounted senior license rules apply; altered pets required and limit of two pets per household.
1-Year Altered	$10	For spayed/neutered pets with rabies vaccination proof.
3-Year Altered	$27	Useful when eligible and rabies timing supports the longer license.
1-Year Unaltered	$120	Much higher than altered-pet licensing; check spay/neuter options if cost is a concern.

Adoption planning note: If you live in Jefferson County and adopt a free large dog or adult cat through LMAS, remember the $25 Lifetime Pet License note for Jefferson County residents.

Surrendering or Rehoming a Pet in Louisville

LMAS pet resources are designed to prevent unnecessary surrender when help is available. Start with food, vet, behavior, temporary placement and safe rehoming resources before asking for an intake appointment.

Before surrendering

Review pet assistance and food resources first.
Consider low-cost vaccination, spay/neuter and emergency pet health options.
Try safe rehoming through trusted rehome platforms if appropriate.
Complete the correct Pet History form only after considerable effort to rehome.
Do not bring a pet to Animal House for surrender or intake.

Official surrender reality

LMAS says it does not accept owner surrenders without an appointment.
LMAS says it will call if it has space for your pet.
Dog surrender fee is listed at $45.
Cat surrender fee is listed at $35.
Additional costs may apply depending on behavior or medical condition.

Do not abandon animals: Leaving an animal outside a shelter, in a box, in a parking lot or tied to a fence is unsafe and can create legal problems. Use the official appointment and pet-resource route.

Foster, Volunteer and Support Louisville Shelter Pets

Not every user is ready to adopt. Foster care is one of the highest-impact ways to help because it opens kennel space and gives special-needs pets more individual attention.

FOST

Foster commitment varies

LMAS says foster commitments can range from a couple of days to several months, so there may be options for different schedules.

CARE

Who needs foster?

Kittens, puppies, animals recovering from illness or surgery, pets needing a shelter break, and pets awaiting transport may need foster homes.

1HR

Location requirement

Foster requirements include living within an hour of the shelter at 3528 Newburg Road and having regular email access.

Video Resource Note

I did not embed a random YouTube video because a current official embeddable Louisville Metro Animal Services adoption-hour or shelter-tour video was not confirmed. For trust, this page uses official Louisville Metro Government pages and practical visitor workflows instead of forcing an unrelated video.

Recommended future video type: an official LMAS or Louisville Metro video explaining Animal House adoption visits, Newburg Road location differences, lost/found pet registration, Metro311 service requests, pet licensing or foster care.

What to Bring Before Visiting Louisville Animal Shelter

A prepared visit helps staff and reduces delays. Bring different items depending on whether you are adopting, reclaiming, reporting a found pet, licensing, fostering or asking for surrender guidance.

Valid driver’s license

LMAS says you need a valid driver’s license if you decide to take a pet home.

HOME

Housing approval

If renting, confirm pet permission, breed/size rules, deposit rules and pet limits before adopting.

PAY

Payment method

Bring payment for adoption fees, pet license, reservation fee, reclaim fee or other applicable costs.

CAT

Carrier

Bring a secure carrier for cats, kittens or small animals. Do not transport a loose cat in a vehicle.

DOG

Leash and collar

LMAS says come prepared with leash, collar or pet carrier if taking a pet home.

PROOF

Ownership proof

For reclaim, bring photos, vet records, microchip registration, license details, rabies proof and ID.

After Adoption: First 7 Days at Home

LMAS recommends taking your new pet to a veterinarian within seven days of adoption. A calm first week helps the pet adjust and helps you catch medical or behavior issues early.

First 24 hours

Keep the pet in a quiet starter space.
Do not introduce every person and pet immediately.
Use a leash, carrier or crate during transport.
Keep adoption paperwork, license details and microchip notes together.
Expect stress behaviors such as hiding, whining, barking or reduced appetite.

Days 2–7

Schedule the recommended vet follow-up.
Keep routines predictable for feeding, potty breaks, walks and sleep.
Introduce resident pets slowly and safely.
Contact LMAS for early adjustment help if the adoption is not working.
Update license, tag and microchip contact information.

Louisville Animal Shelter Map, Directions & Arrival Tips

Use the map for Newburg Road planning. If you are adopting, go to Animal House at 3516 Newburg Road. If you are dealing with lost/found pets, licensing or shelter services, use the LMAS shelter route at 3528 Newburg Road.

Map is for visit planning only. Confirm the correct building, current hours, parking, road work and holiday closures before driving.

3516

Animal House

Use 3516 Newburg Road for adoption visits and currently adoptable pets.

3528

LMAS Shelter

Use 3528 Newburg Road for shelter services, lost/found registration and licensing routes.

TIME

Arrive early

Friday after 3 PM and weekends can be busy. Arrive with enough time for wait, survey, questions and paperwork.

Common Mistakes to Avoid at Louisville Animal Shelter

These mistakes cause the most wasted trips, wrong-location visits and delayed adoptions.

Before visiting

Do not take surrenders or intakes to Animal House.
Do not assume online pet listings guarantee availability.
Do not forget that foster pets require scheduled meet-and-greets.
Do not arrive near closing and expect a full adoption process.
Do not ignore the conflicting official hour notes; call before a Monday or extended-hour visit.

Before adopting or reporting

Do not choose a pet only by photo.
Do not skip landlord, license or rabies requirements.
Do not handle aggressive, injured or unsafe animals yourself.
Do not call Animal Services for wildlife or roadkill issues when another official route is required.
Do not abandon animals outside the shelter.

Official Louisville Animal Services Links

Use official Louisville pages for final decisions. This independent guide explains the workflow, but Louisville controls current hours, fees, pet availability, licensing, surrender rules, 311 routing and service updates.

INFOofficial LMAS address and hours pageOfficial location, phone, LMAS shelter hours, Animal House adoption center hours and department overview. ADOPTofficial LMAS adopt a pet pageAdoption fees, adoption process, survey steps, reservation note and what to bring. FAQofficial pet adoption FAQSame-day adoptions, foster meet-and-greets, applications and post-adoption guidance. LOSTofficial lost and found animal pageLost pet steps, 5-day stray hold note, reclaim fees, vaccination fees and licensing fees. CTRLofficial animal control service request pageAnimal control dispatch, service request types, 311 route, wildlife note and emergency route. TAGofficial Louisville pet licensing pageCat and dog licensing, rabies vaccination, DocuPet, fees and renewal options. HELPofficial LMAS pet resources pagePet assistance, rehoming, surrender appointment rules and owner surrender fees. FOSTofficial LMAS foster care pageFoster requirements, foster animal types and online foster application route.

Source-check note: Always verify current adoption hours, extended evening hours, pet availability, adoption fees, pet license rules, surrender appointments and animal-control routing directly with Louisville Metro Animal Services before visiting.

Louisville Animal Shelter FAQ

Where is Louisville Animal Shelter located?

Louisville Metro Animal Services uses the Newburg Road campus. Animal House Adoption Center is at 3516 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY 40218, and the LMAS Animal Care Complex / shelter is at 3528 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY 40218.

What is the phone number for Louisville Animal Shelter?

The main Louisville Metro Animal Services phone number is 502-473-PETS, which is 502-473-7387.

What are Louisville Animal Shelter adoption hours?

Official Louisville pages show Animal House adoption hours around 12 PM to 6 PM, with an extended evening listed on some pages. Because official pages conflict on Monday and extended evening details, call 502-473-PETS before a Monday visit or late-day visit.

Do I need an appointment to adopt from LMAS?

LMAS says Animal House offers same-day adoptions on a walk-in basis. If the pet is in foster, you need to schedule a meet-and-greet.

Where do I go to adopt a pet in Louisville?

Go to Animal House Adoption Center at 3516 Newburg Road. Enter through the front double doors, browse available pets, then work with a coordinator and adoption counselor.

How much are Louisville Metro Animal Services adoption fees?

LMAS lists dogs over 40 pounds and cats over 6 months as free thanks to FOMAS, with a $25 Lifetime Pet License for Jefferson County residents. Kittens are listed at $100 and dogs 39 pounds or less at $150. Fees can change by agency discretion.

What is included with an LMAS adoption?

LMAS says adopted pets will be spayed or neutered, microchipped and up to date on age-appropriate vaccines.

Can I reserve a Louisville shelter pet on stray hold?

LMAS says pets on stray hold can be reserved in person for a $50 non-refundable fee on a first-come, first-served basis. If the pet is reunited with its owner, the deposit can be used toward another pet for up to 12 months.

What should I do if my pet is missing in Louisville?

Go to the shelter to look for your pet, search official lost/found resources, post flyers near the lost location and alert your microchip company. Bring proof of ownership if you find a possible match.

Where do found pets need to be registered in Louisville?

LMAS says pets must be physically registered at 3528 Newburg Road to begin Kentucky’s 5-day stray hold.

How do I contact Louisville animal control?

To make an animal-control service request, call 502-473-PETS. Metrocall also takes service requests through 311 or 502-574-5000 Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 7 PM.

Does LMAS handle wildlife complaints?

LMAS says Animal Services does not take wildlife complaints. For wildlife help, the official animal-control page points users to Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549.

Can I surrender a pet to Louisville Metro Animal Services?

LMAS says it does not accept owner surrenders without an appointment. It asks owners to use pet resources and submit the proper Pet History form if rehoming efforts fail.

How much does owner surrender cost at LMAS?

LMAS lists a $45 impoundment fee for owners surrendering a dog and a $35 impoundment fee for owners surrendering a cat. Additional costs may apply depending on behavior or medical condition.

Do Louisville pets need a license?

Yes. Louisville says all cats and dogs must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. Licensing can be handled online through DocuPet, in person at Metro Animal Services, or by mail.

Final Take: Use the Correct Louisville Animal Shelter Route

Louisville Animal Shelter searches usually point to Louisville Metro Animal Services and Animal House Adoption Center. For adoption, use Animal House at 3516 Newburg Road. For lost/found pets, licensing, shelter operations and animal services, use the LMAS shelter route at 3528 Newburg Road.

The best visitor plan is simple: check adoptable pets online, call before driving for one specific animal, confirm current adoption hours because official pages show conflicting details, bring ID and safe transport, understand the adoption fee and license rules, and use 502-473-PETS or 311 for animal-control service requests.

Animal-Shelter.org is an independent informational guide and is not affiliated with Louisville Metro Animal Services, Animal House Adoption Center, Louisville Metro Government, FOMAS, DocuPet, Petfinder, Kentucky Humane Society, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or any official shelter portal. Always verify current details with official sources before visiting, adopting, surrendering, reclaiming, licensing or reporting an animal concern.