Billings Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
Use this page like a Billings animal-help dashboard. Pick adoption, lost pet, found pet, reclaim, surrender, city animal control, county animal control, or dog/cat license action.
2026 alert: Billings city stray/impound routing changed during the City/YVAS transition. For found or impounded animals, call before driving.
Choose What You Need
Clickable Billings Animal Help Cards
Tap the matching action. This page is built for quick answers, not long reading.
Who to Call First
Use this table before you drive, post online, or bring in a found animal.
| Situation | Call / click | What to say | Next micro-step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adopt a pet | YVAS Adopt or 406-294-7387 | “Is [pet name/ID] still available?” | Arrive before meet-and-greet cutoff. |
| Lost pet in Billings | YVAS Lost & Found + Animal Control | “My pet is missing near [cross streets]. Has a matching animal come in?” | Update microchip and post clear photos. |
| Found safe pet | Found Animal page | “I found a pet near [exact location]. I can/cannot hold it safely.” | Scan microchip if safe. |
| Injured, aggressive, dangerous or deceased animal in city | Billings Animal Control | “Animal is [injured/aggressive/deceased/loose] at [address].” | Do not handle if unsafe. |
| County stray dog or livestock | YCSO non-emergency | “This is outside Billings city limits at [location].” | Ask if an animal-control officer is needed. |
| Surrender or rehome | YVAS Rehome a Pet | “I need a surrender appointment and have records.” | Prepare forms and $20 fee. |
YVAS Adoption Hours
Closing time is not the real adoption deadline. YVAS says adoptions and meet-and-greets end one hour before close.
| Day | Public hours | Practical adoption cutoff | Best action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 12pm-7pm | Before 6pm | Adoption visit or application follow-up. |
| Tuesday | 12pm-7pm | Before 6pm | Good before Wednesday closure. |
| Wednesday | Closed | No public adoption | Check online pets only. |
| Thursday | 12pm-7pm | Before 6pm | Meet-and-greet day. |
| Friday | 12pm-7pm | Before 6pm | Good before weekend crowd. |
| Saturday | 12pm-5pm | Before 4pm | Arrive early. |
| Sunday | 12pm-5pm | Before 4pm | Arrive early. |
Adoption Fees and What They Include
YVAS says adopted dogs and cats are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated as age-appropriate.
| Pet | Age / type | Fee | Quick question to ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog | 6 months and under | $200 | What food, vaccine timing and training notes should I know? |
| Dog | 7 months and up | $160 | How is the dog with kids, dogs, cats and leash walking? |
| Cat | 6 months and under | $100 | What booster and kitten-proofing steps are needed? |
| Cat | 7 months to 7 years | $50 | What are litter, food, personality and medical notes? |
| Cat | 8 years and up | $15 | Any senior care, medication or quiet-room needs? |
| Working cat | Barn/shop/outdoor placement | No adoption fee | Can I provide shelter, food, water, vet care and secure acclimation? |
Adoption Micro-Steps
Follow this order. It avoids wasted trips and confused shelter visits.
Open the right pet list
Dogs | Cats | Other animals | Working cats. Screenshot pet name and ID.
Apply first
YVAS says adoption begins with a simple application. Start from the Adopt page.
Bring household decision-makers
YVAS encourages household approval. Dog meet-and-greet yards are available on site; cat family meets are encouraged but not required.
Renters check first
Confirm pet deposit, pet rent, breed/weight limits and written landlord approval before choosing a pet.
Bring ID and payment
Applicants must be at least 18. Final paperwork takes about 30 minutes and needs photo ID, signatures and cash or credit card.
Ask before leaving
Ask about food, microchip, vaccines, spay/neuter, behavior notes and first-week setup.
Lost or Found Pet in Billings
Use shelter, city/county route, microchip and local posts together.
If your pet is lost
- Search close: yard, garage, sheds, under vehicles, alleys and nearby porches.
- Call YVAS at 406-294-7387.
- Call Billings Animal Control at 406-657-8226 if city impound is possible.
- Update the microchip account with current phone and address.
- Post photo, cross streets and contact method in Lost/Found Pets of Billings.
- Make flyers for vet offices, pet stores, grocery boards and nearby intersections.
- Check BARK, Help for Homeless Pets, Rimrock Humane Society and Laurel Police if the pet may be outside Billings.
If you found an animal
- If safe, move the animal away from traffic.
- Keep the found pet separate from your pets.
- Take photos before moving the animal.
- Ask a vet office or shelter route about microchip scanning.
- If there is a city license tag, ask YVAS or Animal Control about license lookup.
- Post exact location in Lost/Found Pets of Billings.
- For unsafe, injured or aggressive animals, call animal control instead of handling.
Found Kittens in Billings
Do not rush every kitten indoors. YVAS says many kittens have the best chance with their mother if they are clean, warm and plump.
Leave and watch if
- Kittens are plump.
- Kittens are clean.
- Kittens are warm.
- Kittens are quiet and not distressed.
- Mother may be away getting food.
Call for help if
- Kittens are cold, dirty, thin, wet or noisy.
- Kittens appear sick or injured.
- Eyes are crusted or there is nasal discharge.
- Kittens are 6-8 weeks and ready for a plan.
- You need foster guidance or cannot get veterinary help.
Reclaiming an Impounded Pet
Do not wait. YVAS lists a 72-hour reclaim window for lost/stray animals in its care.
72-hour window
YVAS says lost/stray animals are held up to 72 hours before evaluation for adoption.
Photo ID
Bring government-issued photo ID. Reclaiming persons must be at least 18.
Ownership proof
Bring photos, veterinary records, adoption papers, license records or microchip details.
Rabies certificate
Bring rabies vaccination certificate if applicable.
Payment
YVAS lists cash, debit card or credit card, excluding American Express.
City license
YVAS says only a city license may be required under Project Reunite; current license can be looked up.
Surrender, Rehome, Shelter Skip
YVAS accepts surrendered animals by appointment only.
| Need | Click / call | Prepare | Fee / note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surrender to YVAS | Call 406-294-7387 | Driver license or government ID, surrender form, behavior profile, vet records. | $20 per animal. |
| Rehome without shelter intake | Shelter Skip Program | Clear photos, honest pet details, safe transfer questions. | Direct home-to-home placement. |
| Working cat adoption | Working Cats | Shelter, food, water, vet care and secure acclimation area. | No adoption fee; donations requested. |
| City Animal Control surrender | City Pet Precautions | Use YVAS or rehome route instead. | City says Animal Control cannot accept surrendered pets. |
Animal Control: City vs County
Use Animal Control for enforcement and safety, not adoption browsing.
| Route | Phone / address | Use for | Micro-step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings Animal Control | 406-657-8226 1735 Monad Road, Billings, MT 59101 | Animal bites, cruelty, neglected/abandoned animals, dangerous animals, noisy animals, small animals at large, wildlife loose in city. | Give exact address, animal description and danger level. |
| Animal Control Supervisor | 406-657-8225 | Supervisor route listed by the City. | Use after basic office line if escalation is needed. |
| Emergency | 911 | Immediate human safety emergency. | Call 911 first. |
| Yellowstone County Sheriff Animal Control | 406-657-8200 | County animal complaints, injured animals, stray/at-large dogs, livestock, animal-control officer request. | Say whether location is outside Billings city limits. |
| YCSO office | 406-256-2929 | County questions not covered by listed complaint categories. | Use if dispatch category is unclear. |
Billings Dog/Cat License Fees and Trap Rental
City licensing requires rabies vaccination proof and spay/neuter proof.
| Status | 1-year license | 3-year license | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altered / spayed or neutered | $7.50 | $15.00 | Proof required. |
| Unaltered | $30.00 | $80.00 | Higher fee. |
| Senior 65+ | 50% discount, not less than $1 | 50% discount, not less than $1 | Proof of age required. |
Live trap rental
- Available at Animal Control Office, 1735 Monad Road.
- $55 fee total.
- Includes $15 security deposit.
- Includes 4 weeks rental at $10/week.
- Early return may create a refund.
Before You Leave Home
Pet screenshot, ID, payment, carrier/leash, renter approval.
Recent photo, microchip number, collar/tag details, exact cross streets.
Photo ID, ownership proof, rabies certificate, payment.
Appointment, surrender form, behavior profile, vet records, $20 fee.
Local Billings Tips
Call before driving
Because of the 2026 city/YVAS transition, verify stray and impound routing first.
Beat the cutoff
Do not arrive during the final hour expecting a new dog meet-and-greet.
City vs county
Billings city routes differently from Yellowstone County animal complaints.
License helps
A city license or microchip can speed up reunion when your pet is found.
No hot cars
Billings warns licensed/microchipped pets are easier to return, and hot vehicles can create animal-safety problems.
Use local posts
Post lost/found pets with photo, cross streets, date and safe contact method.
Map: Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter
Use this map for YVAS adoption visits. For Animal Control or impound questions, call first.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Adoption
Hi, I am interested in [pet name/ID]. Is this animal still available, and what should I bring before the adoption cutoff?Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat] is missing near [cross streets]. Description: [color/size/collar/microchip]. Has a matching pet been brought in?Found pet
Hi, I found a [dog/cat] near [exact location]. The animal is [safe/injured/aggressive]. I can/cannot confine it. Which route should I use?Surrender
Hi, I need to discuss surrender or Shelter Skip for my [pet]. I have vet records and behavior notes. What forms should I complete?Official Billings Animal Links
The key details are already summarized above. Use these links for live pets, forms and current verification.
Billings Animal Shelter FAQ
What is the main animal shelter in Billings for adoption?
The main adoption shelter covered here is Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter at 5056 Jellison Rd, Billings, MT 59101.
What is Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter’s phone number?
Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter lists 406-294-7387 as its phone number.
What are Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter adoption hours?
YVAS lists Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday from 12pm to 7pm, Wednesday closed, and Saturday-Sunday from 12pm to 5pm. Adoptions and meet-and-greets end one hour before close.
What is the Billings Animal Control phone number?
Billings Animal Control lists 406-657-8226 as its phone number.
Where is Billings Animal Control located?
The City lists Billings Animal Control at 1735 Monad Road, Billings, MT 59101.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog from YVAS?
YVAS lists dog adoption fees as $200 for dogs six months and under and $160 for dogs seven months and up.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat from YVAS?
YVAS lists cat adoption fees as $100 for cats six months and under, $50 for cats seven months to seven years, and $15 for cats eight years and up.
How long are lost or stray animals held at YVAS?
YVAS says lost or stray animals are held for a maximum of 72 hours to be reclaimed before they are evaluated for adoption.
What do I need to reclaim a pet from YVAS?
YVAS says to bring government-issued photo ID, proof of ownership such as photos or veterinary records, rabies vaccination certificate if applicable, and payment.
Can I surrender a pet to Billings Animal Control?
No. The City says Billings Animal Control cannot accept surrendered pets. YVAS accepts surrendered animals by appointment only and lists a $20 surrender fee per animal.
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.