Douglas County Animal Shelter, Adoption & Pets 2026
Use this Douglas County, Georgia animal-shelter dashboard for adoption hours, adoptable pets, lost/found steps, stray intake, reclaim fees, animal-control concerns, community cats and local pet-owner resources.
Start here: Douglas County Animal Services is at 2171 Mack Road, Deer Lick Park, Douglasville, GA 30135. Main phone: 770-942-5961.
Choose What You Need
- Clickable action cards
- Who to call first
- Hours and visit timing
- Adoption micro-steps
- What adoption includes
- Adoption and reclaim fees
- Lost/found pet steps
- Reclaim documents
- Animal-control issues
- Rehoming and resources
- Before you leave home
- Local practical tips
- Call scripts
- Map
- Official links
- 10 FAQs
Clickable Douglas County Animal Help Cards
Tap the matching action. This avoids scrolling through a long generic shelter article.
Who to Call or Click First
Use this table before driving, reporting a stray, or trying to catch an animal.
| Situation | Call / click | What to say | Next micro-step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adopt a pet | Adoptions page + 770-942-5961 | “Is [pet name/description] still available, and can I meet today?” | Bring valid photo ID and arrive during adoption hours. |
| Lost pet | Lost & Found | “My pet is missing near [area]. I’m checking stray hold animals.” | Submit a lost report, check listings often, and visit if the pet may be there. |
| Found pet | Found-pet steps | “I found a [dog/cat] near [exact location]. It is/is not safe to hold.” | Knock nearby doors, scan microchip, post online, and request intake if needed. |
| Sick, injured or aggressive stray | 770-942-5961 or 911 if emergency | “Animal is [injured/aggressive/sick] at [address/cross streets].” | Do not attempt capture; take photo and location if safe. |
| Nuisance, welfare or ordinance concern | Animal Control | “I need to report [stray/nuisance/welfare concern] at [location].” | Provide animal description, location, complaint details and evidence if safe. |
| Pet-owner support or rehoming | Resources | “I need help keeping or safely rehoming a pet.” | Check food pantry, boarding, low-income support and safe rehoming options. |
Douglas County Animal Shelter Hours
The official site lists overall shelter hours and a separate adoption visit window. Use the adoption window for meeting pets.
| Service | Official timing | Best use | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Animal Services hours | Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5:30pm; Monday closed. | General shelter contact and service questions. | Call first if you need a specific service. |
| Adoption visits | Tuesday-Sunday, 1pm-5pm. | Meet animals and complete adoption in person. | Bring valid photo ID; adopters must be 18 or older. |
| Monday | Closed. | Prepare online: check Petfinder and read requirements. | Do not plan a public adoption visit. |
Adoption Micro-Steps
Douglas County’s adoption process is simple: browse, visit, meet, decide in person.
Browse adoptable pets first
The official adoption page sends visitors to Petfinder. Save screenshots of pet names, photos or listing details before leaving.
Visit during adoption hours
Plan your visit Tuesday-Sunday between 1pm and 5pm, not on Monday.
Bring valid photo ID
Douglas County says adopters must bring valid photo ID and be 18 or older.
Use the right meet-and-greet
Dog meetings may use an outdoor courtyard or indoor meet-and-greet room. Cats may use a private, calm interview room.
Bring the right people or dogs when useful
The shelter recommends bringing current dogs and children when appropriate to help ensure a good match.
Ask about fee specials
Adoption fees may vary, and sponsored or reduced-fee pets are often available. Ask staff before choosing based only on price.
What Adoption Includes
This is where Douglas County’s official adoption page gives useful detail that many generic pages skip.
Core vaccines
All adoptable pets receive core vaccinations.
Deworming
Adoptable pets receive deworming before adoption.
Flea treatment
The adoption care package includes flea treatment.
Microchip
Adoptable pets receive a lifelong registered microchip.
Adoption Fees and Reclaim Fees
The current official adoption page says adoption fees may vary and sponsored pets are often available, so ask staff for the exact current fee before assuming.
| Fee / cost | Official detail | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption fees | May vary; reduced or fully sponsored adoption fees are often available. | Ask staff about current specials and sponsored animals. |
| Reclaim base fee | $45. | Bring payment when reclaiming. |
| Daily reclaim fee | $10 per day. | Reclaim quickly to reduce charges. |
| Additional reclaim charges | Medical treatment, grooming, spay/neuter, vaccinations or other services if provided. | Ask for the full balance before arriving. |
| Microchip pickup option | The $45 base fee is waived if the owner agrees to microchip at pickup; the owner pays $20. | Ask whether the microchip option applies to your reclaim. |
Lost or Found Pet in Douglas County
Fast reporting matters because stray holds are short and listings can change.
If your pet is lost
- Check the official stray-hold animal listings.
- Check Petfinder for recently found pets.
- Submit a lost pet report through Douglas County’s official lost/found page.
- Search nearby yards, porches, sheds, garages and streets within the first 1/4 mile.
- Contact your microchip company and update phone/address details.
- Visit the shelter quickly if you believe your pet may be there.
If you found a pet
- Knock on nearby doors; many pets are found within 1/4 mile of home.
- Check for a microchip at a vet clinic, pet store or shelter.
- Post on social media, PawBoost and Petco Love Lost.
- Consider temporary fostering if safe and possible.
- Request a stray intake appointment if shelter intake is needed.
- If the animal is sick, injured or aggressive, do not catch it; take a photo, record location and call Animal Control.
Reclaiming Your Pet
Prepare proof before going to the shelter. The faster you act, the better.
Photo ID
Bring government-issued photo ID.
Ownership proof
Bring photos, vet records, license records, adoption papers or microchip information.
Medical proof
Bring rabies/vaccine documents if available.
Payment
Ask about base fee, daily fee and extra service charges before arriving.
Microchip option
Ask whether the $20 microchip pickup option can waive the $45 base reclaim fee.
Act quickly
After the stray hold ends, animals may become eligible for adoption, transfer or humane euthanasia.
Animal Control: Stray, Injured, Dangerous or Welfare Concerns
Animal Control is for public safety and welfare response. It is not the same as browsing adoptable pets.
| Concern | Use this route | Give this information | Safety rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stray animal | Animal Control or shelter phone. | Exact location, animal description, direction of travel, collar/tag if visible. | Do not chase into traffic. |
| Injured animal in public area | Animal Control emergency response. | Location, injury type, whether animal can move, photo if safe. | Do not touch sick or injured animals. |
| Aggressive or dangerous animal | Call 770-942-5961 or 911 if immediate danger. | Address, description, behavior, people/pets at risk. | Stay inside or away until trained help responds. |
| Bite case | Animal Control / emergency route. | Date, time, victim, animal description, owner if known. | Seek medical advice quickly. |
| Nuisance or welfare concern | Animal Control non-emergency reporting. | Complaint details, address/location, photos/video if safe. | Do not trespass or confront. |
Rehoming, Pet Assistance and Community Support
Before surrendering a pet, check support options. A short-term fix may keep the pet safely at home.
Pet food help
Douglas County’s resource page points owners toward pet food pantry options such as DCHS, PAWS Atlanta, Athens Humane Society and more.
Temporary boarding
The resource page lists temporary boarding support through Atlanta Humane Society.
Low-income support
Pet Help Finder is listed as a low-income pet support resource.
Safe rehoming
The county encourages safe, supported rehoming options before surrendering to the shelter.
Community cats
Douglas County lists community-cat resources under Animal Services.
Vet and grooming help
The resource page includes local veterinarians, grooming, boarding, training and daycare resources.
Before You Leave Home
Photo ID, pet listing screenshot, household approval, current dog/children when appropriate.
Clear photo, microchip number, collar/tag details, exact lost area and date.
Photo, exact found location, behavior notes, safe holding status, microchip scan plan.
ID, ownership proof, vaccine records, fee estimate, shelter confirmation call.
Douglasville Local Practical Tips
Use the Deer Lick Park address
The shelter address is 2171 Mack Road at Deer Lick Park in Douglasville. Put the full address into GPS.
Do not confuse hours
Overall hours are wider than adoption visits. For adoption, use the 1pm-5pm window.
Bring your current dog when appropriate
Douglas County recommends dog meet-and-greets when helpful, especially if compatibility matters.
Microchip saves money and time
For reclaim, the base fee can be waived if the owner agrees to microchip at pickup and pays $20.
Check listings often
The lost/found page says stray hold listings update every 30 minutes.
Ask about sponsored fees
Adoption fees may vary. Ask staff if the pet is fee-sponsored or part of a special.
Map: Douglas County Animal Services
Use this map for the Douglas County Animal Services shelter at Deer Lick Park in Douglasville, Georgia.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Adoption
Hi, I’m interested in [pet name/description]. Is this animal still available, and what should I bring for an adoption visit today?Lost pet
Hi, my pet is missing near [area] since [date]. Description: [color/size/breed/collar/microchip]. How can I check stray hold animals and submit a lost report?Found pet
Hi, I found a [dog/cat] near [exact location]. The animal is [safe/scared/injured/aggressive]. I can/cannot safely hold it. Should I request a stray intake appointment?Animal-control concern
I need to report [stray/injured/aggressive/nuisance/welfare concern] at [address/cross streets]. The animal is [description]. I have [photo/video] if needed.Official Douglas County Animal Links
The useful details are summarized above. Use these official links for live updates, reports and final verification.
Douglas County Animal Shelter FAQ
Where is Douglas County Animal Services located?
Douglas County Animal Services is located at 2171 Mack Road, Deer Lick Park, Douglasville, GA 30135.
What is the Douglas County Animal Services phone number?
The Douglas County Animal Services phone number is 770-942-5961.
What are Douglas County Animal Shelter hours?
The official site lists Monday as closed and Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 5:30pm for overall Animal Services hours.
What are Douglas County Animal Services adoption hours?
The official adoption page says public adoption visits are Tuesday through Sunday from 1pm to 5pm.
What do I need to adopt a pet?
Douglas County says adopters should browse adoptable pets, visit during adoption hours, meet the pet and complete adoption in person. Bring valid photo ID; adopters must be 18 or older.
What is included with adoption?
Douglas County says adoptable pets receive core vaccinations, deworming, flea treatment and a lifelong registered microchip.
How much are Douglas County adoption fees?
The current official adoption page says adoption fees may vary, and reduced or fully sponsored adoption fees are often available. Ask staff about current specials and sponsored animals.
How long are stray animals held?
Douglas County lists a minimum hold of 72 hours for animals without ID, 5 full days for animals with ID while staff attempt owner contact, and 10 days for livestock held offsite in foster care.
How much does it cost to reclaim a pet?
Douglas County lists a $45 base reclaim fee, a $10 daily fee, and possible additional charges for medical treatment, grooming, spay/neuter, vaccinations or other services if provided.
What should I do if I find a sick, injured or aggressive animal?
Do not attempt to catch it. Take a photo, record the exact location if safe, and call Animal Control at 770-942-5961 or call 911 if there is an immediate emergency.
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.