Mobile Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
Use this page to choose the right Mobile, Alabama animal-help route: City of Mobile Animal Services, Mobile County Animal Shelter, adoption, lost pet, found animal, surrender, animal-control dispatch, or after-hours emergency.
Important: “Mobile animal shelter” can mean the City shelter on Owens Street or the County shelter on Howells Ferry Road. Check the situation before calling or driving.
Choose What You Need
Clickable Mobile Animal Help Cards
Tap the action that matches your problem. This avoids calling the wrong shelter.
City of Mobile vs Mobile County: Which One Should You Use?
The name sounds similar, but the office, address, phone number and workflow can be different.
| Situation | Start here | Phone / address | Micro-step |
|---|---|---|---|
| You mean the City shelter on Owens Street | City of Mobile Animal Services | 855 Owens Street, Mobile, AL 36604 251-208-5311 | Email animalshelter@cityofmobile.org or use City pet/application links. |
| You mean the County shelter on Howells Ferry Road | Mobile County Animal Shelter | 7665 Howells Ferry Road, Mobile, AL 36618 251-574-3647 | Use County adoption hours, fees and lost/found instructions. |
| You need a County Animal Control Officer | Mobile County Animal Control Dispatch | 251-574-7940 | Give exact address, animal description and safety risk. |
| After-hours county emergency | Sheriff’s Office route | 251-574-8633 or 251-574-8634 | Use only for listed urgent animal-control emergencies. |
| You want to adopt but are unsure which shelter has the animal | Check both live pet lists | City Adopets + County adoption page | Screenshot the pet name/ID before calling. |
Mobile Animal Shelter Adoption Hours
Hours can vary by shelter and by adoption/foster appointment. Call before driving, especially on weekends.
| Shelter | Listed hours | Best action | Call first when |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Mobile Animal Shelter | City’s 2026 notice: regular shelter hours 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday–Friday. After-hours/weekend meet-and-greet can be scheduled after application follow-up. | Submit application, then watch for staff follow-up if you need after-hours or weekend meeting. | Weekend, after-hours, popular pet, or fee-waiver question. |
| Mobile County Animal Shelter | Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; closed designated County/State/Federal holidays. | Visit during adoption hours or call 251-574-3647. | Holiday week, severe weather, large intake, or exact pet availability. |
| Mobile County Animal Control Officers | FAQ lists officer duty Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; office open Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Use dispatch for officer response, not the adoption counter. | Stray pickup, bite, welfare check, injured animal or nuisance complaint. |
Adoption Fees and What They Include
County fees are posted clearly. City fee promotions may change, so verify before relying on a waiver.
| Shelter | Fee / status | Included details | Ask before paying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile County Animal Shelter | Adult dogs and puppies: $80. Cats: $70. Fees may adjust based on sponsorships, grants and inflation. | County says fees include spay/neuter, rabies shot, 5-in-1 vaccination, wormer, Bordetella vaccine, heartworm testing for age 6 months+ and microchipping. | Is this pet sponsored today? Can the pet go home today? Is heartworm treatment needed? |
| City of Mobile Animal Shelter | City’s March 2026 notice said adoption fees were being waived for approved applicants during an urgent adoption/foster push. | The notice said adopted pets come with age-appropriate vaccinations, spay/neuter services and microchipping. | Is the fee waiver still active today? What is included for this specific pet? |
Adoption Micro-Steps
Follow this order to avoid wasted trips and missed animals.
Pick City or County first
Use Owens Street for City of Mobile Animal Services. Use Howells Ferry Road for Mobile County Animal Shelter.
Open the live pet list
For City pets, use the City Adopets page. For County pets, use the County pet-adoptions page. Screenshot pet name, ID, photo and shelter location.
Check application requirement
City’s 2026 notice links an online adoption/foster application. County adoption page links an adoption application form.
Bring correct documents
County FAQ says adopters should bring a valid driver’s license and, if renting, a lease agreement stating pets are allowed.
Ask if the pet can leave today
County FAQ says adopted animals must be spayed/neutered before going into new homes. Timing can affect pickup day.
Prepare safe transport
Bring a carrier for cats/small pets and leash/harness/crate plan for dogs. Do not carry a stressed shelter pet loose through a parking lot.
Lost or Found Pet in Mobile
Use shelter visits, phone calls, microchip updates and local posts together. Do not rely on one message.
If your pet is lost
- Search close first: porch, shed, under vehicles, fence gaps, neighbors’ yards and storm drains.
- Call City shelter if the pet may be in the City shelter system: 251-208-5311.
- Call Mobile County Animal Shelter if county intake is possible: 251-574-3647.
- Ask County staff for a lost dog or cat walk-through during normal business hours.
- Visit at least every 2–3 days if checking the County shelter, because County guidance says staff may not guarantee a match.
- Update the microchip company immediately.
- Post a clear photo, cross streets, date, collar, microchip status and safe contact method.
If you found an animal
- Do not handle an aggressive, sick or injured animal unless trained and safe.
- Take photos before moving the animal.
- Keep the found pet away from your own pets.
- Ask a vet/shelter route about scanning for a microchip.
- For Mobile County pickup during operating route, call Animal Control Dispatch: 251-574-7940.
- County guidance says animals are not accepted over the counter unless the animal has a visible physical ailment or injury.
- If closed, do not abandon the animal on shelter property without staff acknowledgment.
Stray Animal Pickup and Animal-Control Response
Animal-control requests are prioritized by safety and urgency. A confined animal does not always mean instant pickup.
| Need | Call | What to say | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| County stray animal pickup during working route | 251-574-7940 | “I have a stray animal at [address]. It is [safe/injured/aggressive/confined].” | Calls are handled based on priority. |
| Animal welfare concern / nuisance / bite / attack / injured stray | 251-574-3647 or dispatch route | Give exact location, animal description and immediate risk. | County officers enforce the Mobile County Dog Control Ordinance. |
| After-hours active emergency | 251-574-8633 or 251-574-8634 | “This is an active bite/attack, aggression, injured/sick animal, or cruelty in progress.” | Use only for listed after-hours emergency categories. |
Reclaiming a Lost Pet: Seven-Day County Hold
Mobile County says stray animals are held for seven days to give owners time to reclaim them.
Seven-day hold
County guidance says stray animals are held seven days before adoption, rescue or other outcome depending on assessment and capacity.
Walk-through
Visit the shelter and ask staff for a lost dog or cat walk-through. Check both stray and adoptable sections.
Proof helps
Bring photos, vet records, microchip details, license/tag information and ID.
Repeat visits
County guidance recommends visiting immediately and at least every 2–3 days after that.
Check Facebook
County says MCAS also lists stray-hold animals on the MCAS Facebook page to improve reunions.
Call quickly
If you are the owner, interested in adoption after hold, or a rescue group, call the shelter immediately.
Surrendering an Animal in Mobile
Do not arrive without checking rules, fees and whether the shelter can accept the animal.
| Route | What to do first | Prepare | Important warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile County surrender | Call 251-574-3647 before arriving. | Verification of ownership, vet records, medical status and completed owner-surrender intake card. | County says there is a surrender fee and additional transport fee if MCAC must pick up your animal. |
| City of Mobile surrender or rehome question | Contact City Animal Services at 251-208-5311 or animalshelter@cityofmobile.org. | Pet photos, vet records, behavior notes, reason for surrender and housing/medical details. | Verify intake rules before bringing an animal. |
| Behavior or medical concern | Be honest before intake. | Bite history, aggression, severe health problems, unsafe handling issues and medication details. | County says assessment can affect whether an animal is made available for adoption. |
After-Hours Emergencies
Mobile County lists specific after-hours emergency categories. Use the correct route so urgent calls are not delayed.
County after-hours numbers
- 251-574-8633
- 251-574-8634
- After-hours period includes 4:30 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday–Friday, weekends and holidays.
Listed emergency examples
- Active bite or attack in progress.
- Active aggression in a public area or commercial business.
- Injured or sick animal needing immediate attention.
- Active malicious animal cruelty in progress.
Before You Leave Home
Pet screenshot, application, ID, call/email confirmation, carrier/leash.
Driver’s license, lease proof if renting, payment, pet ID, transport plan.
Recent photo, microchip number, collar/tag, proof records, exact cross streets.
Ownership proof, vet records, behavior notes, intake card, fee question.
Mobile Local Tips
Address first
Owens Street and Howells Ferry Road are different shelter systems. Confirm before driving.
Call before weekends
City weekend meetings may require appointment after application follow-up. County Saturday hours are shorter.
Gulf Coast weather
Heavy rain and heat can affect travel, stray visibility and animal safety. Bring water and safe transport.
Screenshot pets
Pet availability can change fast. Save the pet ID/name and listing before calling.
Renters prepare proof
County FAQ says renters should bring a lease agreement stating pets are allowed.
Check stray hold fast
County seven-day hold means owners should check quickly and repeatedly.
Map: Mobile Animal Shelter Locations
Use this broad map for route planning. For adoption, lost/found or animal-control response, call the correct office first.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
City adoption
Hi, I am interested in a pet listed at City of Mobile Animal Services. Is [pet name/ID] still available, and should I complete the application before visiting?County adoption
Hi, I am interested in adopting from Mobile County Animal Shelter. Is [pet name/ID] available, and what should I bring today?Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat] is missing near [cross streets]. Description: [color/size/collar/microchip]. Has a matching animal come in?Found animal
Hi, I found a [dog/cat] near [address]. The animal is [safe/injured/aggressive/confined]. Should I call dispatch, wait for an officer, or follow another route?Surrender
Hi, I need to ask about surrender options for my [pet]. I have ownership proof and vet records. What fees, forms and intake rules apply?After-hours emergency
Hi, this is an after-hours animal emergency at [address]. The issue is [active bite/aggression/injured animal/cruelty in progress]. What should I do now?Official Mobile Animal Shelter Links
Useful details are summarized above. Use these official links for live verification, forms, adoption listings and final action.
Mobile Animal Shelter FAQ
Where is the City of Mobile Animal Shelter located?
The City of Mobile Animal Shelter is located at 855 Owens Street, Mobile, AL 36604.
What is the City of Mobile Animal Shelter phone number?
The City of Mobile lists 251-208-5311 as the main contact for City of Mobile Animal Services.
Where is Mobile County Animal Shelter located?
Mobile County Animal Shelter is located at 7665 Howells Ferry Road, Mobile, AL 36618.
What is Mobile County Animal Shelter’s office phone number?
Mobile County Animal Shelter lists 251-574-3647 as the office phone number.
What are Mobile County Animal Shelter adoption hours?
Mobile County lists adoption hours as Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
How much are Mobile County Animal Shelter adoption fees?
Mobile County lists adult dogs and puppies at $80 and cats at $70, with fees subject to adjustment based on sponsorships, grants and economic inflation.
What is included with a Mobile County pet adoption?
Mobile County says adoption fees include spay/neuter, rabies shot, 5-in-1 vaccination, wormer, Bordetella vaccine, heartworm testing for animals age 6 months and older, and microchipping.
What should I bring to adopt from Mobile County Animal Shelter?
Mobile County FAQ says adopters should bring a valid driver’s license and, if renting, a lease agreement stating pets are allowed.
How long does Mobile County hold stray animals?
Mobile County says stray animals are held for seven days to give owners time to reclaim them before they may be considered for adoption, rescue or other outcome.
Who do I call for Mobile County animal-control dispatch?
Mobile County guidance lists Animal Control Dispatch at 251-574-7940, and after-hours Sheriff’s Office emergency numbers at 251-574-8633 and 251-574-8634.
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.