SLC Animal Shelter & Control: Pet Adoption Hours 2026
Use this page like a Salt Lake City pet-help dashboard. Pick adoption, lost pet, found pet, reclaim, dispatch, licensing, microchip, working cat, or clinic-service route.
SLC note: Salt Lake County Animal Services is the official animal-services agency serving Salt Lake City and several nearby municipalities.
Choose What You Need
- Clickable action cards
- Does this serve Salt Lake City?
- Who to call first
- Pet adoption hours
- Adoption fees
- Adoption micro-steps
- Working cat program
- Lost/found pet steps
- Reclaim documents
- Animal control / dispatch
- Licensing and microchips
- Clinic and owner resources
- Before you leave home
- Call scripts
- Map
- Official links
- 10 FAQs
Clickable SLC Animal Help Cards
Tap the matching action. These cards are built around what SLC searchers usually need first.
Does Salt Lake County Animal Services Serve SLC?
Yes. The official Salt Lake County Animal Services page says it serves Salt Lake City plus Bluffdale, Holladay, Midvale, Millcreek, Murray and Salt Lake County Metro Townships including Brighton, Copperton, County Islands, Emigration Canyon, Kearns, Magna and White City.
Salt Lake City
Use Salt Lake County Animal Services for adoption, lost/found, licensing, microchip and animal-control dispatch routes.
Exact shelter
The official shelter location is 511 West 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84123.
Fastest routing
For routine animal complaints or animal emergencies, use 24-hour officer dispatch: 801-840-4000.
Who to Call First
Use this before driving, bringing in a found pet or reporting an animal-control issue.
| Situation | Call / click | What to say | Next micro-step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adopt a pet | Search Adoptable Pets or 385-468-7387 | “Is [pet name/ID] still available for a meet and greet?” | Visit early enough to meet the pet before adoption cutoff. |
| Dog adoption meet-and-greet | Adoption page | “I want to meet [dog name/ID]. Where should I ask for staff?” | Go to the auditorium and ask adoption staff for a meet and greet. |
| Lost pet | Lost & Found + 385-468-7387 | “My pet is missing near [location]. Has a matching animal arrived?” | Visit the shelter in person within 24 hours. |
| Found stray in SLC / served area | 801-840-4000 | “I found a pet at [exact location]. Can an officer assist?” | Bring the pet to 511 W 3900 S if safe, or ask dispatch. |
| Routine complaint or animal emergency | 24-hour dispatch | “I need animal-control help for [issue] at [address].” | Give location, animal description and danger level. |
| License or microchip | Licensing | “I need to license my pet and ask about a free microchip.” | Bring vaccination/sterilization proof or upload paperwork online. |
SLC Pet Adoption Hours
There are two official time signals to understand: public shelter hours and adoption processing hours.
| Day | Public shelter hours | Adoption planning note | Best action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | No public shelter visit. | Use online pet search. |
| Tuesday | 10am-6pm | Adoption page lists 10am-5pm; main page says adoptions end 5:30pm. | Arrive earlier than 5pm if you want to adopt. |
| Wednesday | 10am-6pm | Plan enough time for meet-and-greet and application. | Check pet listing before leaving. |
| Thursday | 10am-6pm | Good midweek adoption visit window. | Bring ID and household decision-makers. |
| Friday | 10am-6pm | Do not start late if paperwork is needed. | Arrive early afternoon if possible. |
| Saturday | 10am-6pm | Weekend traffic can be busier. | Start with online pet ID and arrive early. |
| Sunday | Closed | No public shelter visit. | Use online pet search and plan Tuesday. |
Official Adoption Fees
Salt Lake County Animal Services says adoption fees include spay/neuter if needed, a veterinarian health-exam certificate, first vaccination, microchip and a small bag of dog or cat food.
| Animal | Type / age | Official fee | Ask before adopting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog | Large dog | $75 | Ask about leash, kids, cats, dogs and exercise needs. |
| Dog | Small dog | $150 | Ask about energy, grooming, noise and apartment fit. |
| Dog | Puppy 6 months or younger | $200 | Ask about vaccine schedule, training and future size. |
| Dog | Senior dog 5 years and older | Free to senior citizens 55+ | Ask about mobility, dental, medication and calm-home needs. |
| Cat | Adult cat | $50 | Ask about litter, personality, other pets and health notes. |
| Cat | Kitten 6 months or younger | $100 | Ask about boosters, kitten-proofing and litter habits. |
| Cat | Senior cat 5 years and older | Free to senior citizens 55+ | Ask about quiet-room setup and senior care. |
| Rabbit | Adoptable rabbit | $35 | Ask about enclosure, diet, litter box and vet needs. |
| Other animals | Birds, small mammals, exotics | Priced as they come in | Ask the front counter for exact price and care notes. |
Adoption Micro-Steps
Follow this order so you do not waste a trip.
Search pets first
Open the official Search Adoptable Pets page and screenshot the pet name or ID.
Visit during adoption hours
Adoptions are first-come, first-served. Plan enough time before the adoption cutoff.
For dogs, ask staff for a meet-and-greet
Salt Lake County says dog adopters go to the auditorium, find an adoption staff member and ask for a meet-and-greet.
For cats, visit the cattery
For cats, head into the cattery. Also check Spencer’s Room, adjacent to the dog kennels.
For rabbits or other animals, ask the counter
If the rabbit or other animal is not on the adoption floor, speak with the front counter staff.
Complete the application
If the meet-and-greet goes well, complete the adoption application with staff.
Working Cat Program
This is useful for barns, warehouses, churches, factories and other enclosed properties needing natural rodent deterrents.
Not indoor candidates
The program is for specific cats from Salt Lake County Animal Services who are not eligible for indoor placement.
Prepared before adoption
Working cats are vaccinated, spayed/neutered, microchipped and ear-tipped before placement.
Groups of two or more
Official guidance says working cats are available in groups of two or more and are free to suitable homes.
Safe property required
Adopters must provide a safe, suitable place for community cats to live.
Daily care
Responsibilities include daily food and water, shelter and veterinary care.
First two weeks matter
Adopters receive instructions for introducing working cats to their new environment during the first two weeks.
Lost or Found Pet in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake County says the only way to guarantee your missing pet is not at the shelter is to visit in person as soon as possible.
If your pet is lost
- Search the official lost-pet page, but do not rely only on online photos.
- Visit local shelters within 24 hours of losing your pet.
- Ask to check isolation and quarantine kennels.
- Ask whether a matching animal was picked up deceased.
- Post flyers at shelters, vet clinics and public bulletin boards.
- Post to Utah Lost & Found Pets on Facebook, Nextdoor and local classifieds such as KSL.
- Call nearby veterinary offices in case your pet was brought in injured.
- Keep ID tags current and microchip your pet.
If you found a stray pet
- Salt Lake County says it is the law to turn in a stray pet.
- Bring the pet to 511 W 3900 S if found in Salt Lake City or another served area.
- If you cannot bring the pet in safely, call dispatch at 801-840-4000.
- Staff document where the animal was found.
- Staff check for ID and try to contact the owner.
- An Animal Care Specialist checks for injury or illness.
- The animal is photographed and posted on the shelter website when possible.
Reclaim Documents and Fees
Impounded animals are redeemed to a person over 18 who can provide identification and proof of ownership.
Photo ID
Bring current, valid photo identification. The reclaiming person must be over 18.
Last-seen details
Bring the location and date when your pet was last seen.
Current photos
Bring current photos that clearly show your pet’s markings and size.
Vet records
Bring veterinary records, including vaccination and sterilization proof if available.
Microchip info
Bring your pet’s microchip number or registration details.
Payment
Redemption fees apply. Salt Lake County says fees cannot be quoted over the phone and may vary by circumstances.
Animal Control / 24-Hour Officer Dispatch
For routine complaints or animal emergencies, Salt Lake County directs users to 24-hour officer dispatch.
| Need | Official route | What to prepare | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Routine animal complaint | 801-840-4000 | Address, animal description, time pattern and safety risk. | Dispatch can route an Animal Control Officer. |
| Animal emergency | 801-840-4000 | Exact location, injury/aggression details and whether people are at risk. | Stay safe and do not handle dangerous animals. |
| Found pet pickup help | 801-840-4000 | Found location, whether contained, species and condition. | Officer can retrieve or provide useful information. |
| Nuisance / records / animal-control issue email | Contact page | Use official contact list for the correct email. | Use phone for urgent help. |
Licensing and Free Microchips
Salt Lake County says pet licensing is required yearly for dogs, cats and ferrets in served areas, including Salt Lake City.
| License item | Official fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Unsterilized dog, cat or ferret | $50 | Yearly license. |
| Sterilized dog, cat or ferret | $25 | Yearly license. |
| Senior citizen 60+ sterilized pet | $10 | Proof of age required for senior license. |
| Transfer fee | $15 | When applicable. |
| Replacement tag | $15 | For lost/replacement tag. |
| Late license penalty | $50 | In addition to regular fee. |
How to license
- Online through the BarkPass portal.
- By mail with application, vaccination certificate, sterilization certificate and fee.
- In person at the shelter with the animal’s paperwork.
- Pets must be licensed by 5 months of age or within 30 days of moving into/acquiring a pet in served areas.
Clinic and Owner Resources
This section prevents a common user mistake: assuming the shelter provides every veterinary service for owned pets.
Owned-pet vaccines
Clinic Services says vaccines for owned pets are not currently offered; vaccines are available for animals in Salt Lake County Animal Services care.
Feline Fix
The Feline Fix is offered bimonthly for pets within Salt Lake County; space is limited and booking is online.
Feline Fix cost
Clinic Services lists the cost as $100 per cat, including surgery, vaccinations and microchip.
PAWS
Pet Assistance on Wheels is listed as a mobile spay/neuter clinic resource for Salt Lake County.
Owner resources
The official owner-resources section covers pet health, responsible ownership, fireworks, re-homing and hot-car safety.
3-3-3 post-adoption
Salt Lake County recommends the 3 Day, 3 Week, 3 Month Rule to help adopted pets settle into a new home.
Before You Leave Home
Pet screenshot, ID, household approval, leash/carrier, enough time before cutoff.
Recent photo, microchip number, collar/tag details, last-seen date and location.
Photo ID, proof of ownership, vet records, microchip info and payment.
Vaccination certificate, sterilization proof, senior proof if applicable and payment.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Adoption
Hi, I am interested in [pet name/ID]. Is this animal still available, and what time should I arrive today for a meet-and-greet and adoption application?Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat] is missing near [cross streets]. Description: [color/size/collar/microchip]. Can I check whether a matching animal has arrived?Found pet
Hi, I found a [dog/cat/rabbit] at [exact location]. The pet is [contained/injured/aggressive]. Should I bring it to 511 W 3900 S or should dispatch send an officer?Licensing
Hi, I need to license my [dog/cat/ferret]. I have rabies/vaccination records and sterilization proof. Can I also get the free microchip with current license proof?Map: Salt Lake County Animal Services
Use this for adoption, reclaim, licensing and found-pet drop-off planning. For animal-control response, call dispatch first.
Official SLC Animal Shelter Links
The key details are summarized above. Use these official pages for live pets, current hours, fee changes and final verification.
SLC Animal Shelter FAQ
What is the main SLC animal shelter for adoption?
The main official agency covered here is Salt Lake County Animal Services at 511 West 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84123.
Does Salt Lake County Animal Services serve Salt Lake City?
Yes. Salt Lake County Animal Services lists Salt Lake City among the municipalities it serves.
What is the Salt Lake County Animal Services phone number?
The main phone number is 385-468-7387.
What is the 24-hour animal-control dispatch number for SLC?
Salt Lake County Animal Services lists 801-840-4000 as the 24-hour officer dispatch number for routine complaints and animal emergencies.
What are SLC pet adoption hours?
The adoption page lists adoption hours Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm. The main and contact pages list public shelter hours Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm with adoptions ending at 5:30pm, so adopters should arrive early.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog from Salt Lake County Animal Services?
Official dog adoption fees list large dogs at $75, small dogs at $150, puppies six months or younger at $200, and senior dogs five years and older free to senior citizens age 55 and older.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat or rabbit?
Official cat adoption fees list adult cats at $50, kittens six months or younger at $100, senior cats five years and older free to senior citizens age 55 and older, and rabbits at $35.
What does the adoption fee include?
Salt Lake County Animal Services says adoption fees include spay or neuter if needed, a veterinarian health-exam certificate, first vaccination, microchip and a small bag of dog or cat food.
What should I do if I lost my pet in Salt Lake City?
Search the lost-pet page, visit the shelter in person within 24 hours, ask to check isolation and quarantine kennels, post flyers and online notices, call nearby veterinary offices and keep checking because pets may arrive later.
Do licensed Salt Lake County pets get free microchips?
Yes. Salt Lake County says every pet in Salt Lake County can receive a free lifetime microchip with proof of a current pet license, offered as a walk-in service during open hours.
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.