Montrose Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
Use this page as a fast Montrose, Colorado animal-help dashboard: adoption hours, shelter hours, reclaim hours, adoption fees, lost/stray search, first-come adoption rules, relinquishment appointments, animal-control calls, leash rules, pet ID rules and what to bring before you go.
Official center: City of Montrose Animal Services provides both animal sheltering and animal-control functions for the City of Montrose.
Choose What You Need
- Clickable action cards
- Adoption, shelter and reclaim hours
- Adoption fees
- Adoption micro-steps
- What adoption includes
- Lost/found pet steps
- Stray search and hold rule
- Reclaim steps
- Animal control route
- City pet rules
- Relinquishment appointments and fees
- Spay/neuter help
- Before you leave home
- Call scripts
- Map
- Official links
- 10 FAQs
Clickable Montrose Animal Help Cards
Tap the matching action. These are built around what a real searcher usually needs first.
Montrose Animal Shelter Adoption Hours
The official page separates shelter hours, adoption hours and reclaim hours. This matters because animals are available to view only during adoption hours.
| Day | Shelter hours | Adoption hours | Reclaim hours | Best action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10am-5pm | 10am-4pm | 10am-5pm | Adopt, reclaim, lost/found, questions. |
| Tuesday | 10am-5pm | 10am-4pm | 10am-5pm | Good weekday adoption/reclaim window. |
| Wednesday | 10am-5pm | 10am-4pm | 10am-5pm | Check online listings first. |
| Thursday | 10am-5pm | 10am-4pm | 10am-5pm | Adoption or reclaim planning. |
| Friday | 10am-5pm | 10am-4pm | 10am-5pm | Good before weekend. |
| Saturday | 10am-3pm | 10am-2pm | 10am-3pm | Arrive early; shorter day. |
| Sunday | Closed | Closed | Closed | Use online search and call next open day. |
| Holidays | Closed | Closed | Closed | Call/check before visiting near holidays. |
Official Montrose Adoption Fees
These adoption fees are listed by the City of Montrose and repeated in the official animal-shelter listing portal.
| Animal | Age category | Fee | Ask before adopting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog | 8 weeks to 1 year / puppy under 1 year | $100 | Training, socialization, vaccine timing, chewing, crate and energy level. |
| Dog | Over 1 year / adult dog | $75 | Leash behavior, house habits, other pets, kids, medical notes. |
| Cat | 8 weeks to 1 year / kitten under 1 year | $50 | Litter habits, vaccine timing, kitten-proofing and carrier needs. |
| Cat | Over 1 year / adult cat | $30 | Personality, indoor/outdoor history, other cats, dogs and quiet-room setup. |
Adoption Micro-Steps
Use this order so you do not waste a trip or miss a pet that is first-come, first-served.
Open the adoption search first
Start with the official Montrose Animal Control Adoption Search. Screenshot the animal name, animal number, age, species and notes.
Confirm adoption-hour timing
Animals are available to view only during adoption hours: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm and Saturday 10am-2pm.
Move quickly but be ready
Montrose Animal Control says animals are adopted on a first-come, first-served basis at the shelter.
Bring required documents
Potential adopters must be at least 21 years old. Bring a completed adoption application and a valid driver’s license or state ID.
Bring address proof if needed
If your ID does not show your current address, bring proof of residence.
Ask before finalizing
Ask about spay/neuter, vaccines, medical notes, behavior, other animals, leash or litter habits and the first week at home.
What Adoption Includes
The official animal listing portal states that all animals adopted from the shelter will be spayed or neutered and vaccinated upon adoption.
Spay / neuter
Adopted animals are spayed or neutered upon adoption according to the Montrose shelter listing portal.
Vaccination
Adopted animals are vaccinated upon adoption. Ask staff what vaccine records and boosters are next.
Paperwork
Ask for adoption records, vaccine notes, spay/neuter details and any medical or behavior observations before leaving.
Lost or Found Pet in Montrose
Use the official stray search plus real-world checks. Do not rely on one phone call or one online listing.
If your pet is lost
- Open the official Stray Search.
- Also check the Adoption Search and check back often.
- Call the shelter at 970-240-1487.
- Visit in person when possible; owners recognize markings better than a phone description.
- Update microchip registration and mark the pet as lost.
- Post a clear photo, last-seen cross streets, collar/tag details and one phone number.
- Bring proof of ownership if you think your animal is at the shelter.
If you found a pet
- If safe, keep the animal away from traffic and separate from your own animals.
- Check collar, ID tag, rabies tag or any contact information.
- Call the shelter at 970-240-1487 for intake or scan guidance.
- Ask a veterinarian or shelter route about microchip scanning.
- Post a found notice with general location, not every identifying detail.
- Ask claimants for proof of ownership before returning the pet privately.
- If the animal is sick, injured, dangerous or causing a welfare concern in city limits, call Animal Control at 970-249-9110.
Stray Search and Shelter Hold Rule
This section answers what most lost-pet searchers want to know: “How long do I have, and where should I look?”
Required hold
The City FAQ says the Animal Shelter is required to keep pet animals for three to five days.
Average stay
The City FAQ says nine days is the average length of stay.
Check often
The official animal portal tells lost-pet owners to look through all search pages and check back often.
Reclaiming a Pet from Montrose Animal Shelter
Reclaim hours are longer than adoption hours. Bring proof so staff can match the pet to the correct owner.
Photo ID
Bring a valid driver’s license or state ID.
Ownership proof
Bring photos, vet records, microchip details, rabies tag, ID tag or other proof.
Current contact info
The city does not require a pet license program, but dogs must display current, legible owner contact information through an ID tag, registered microchip or rabies vaccine tag.
Rabies proof
Bring rabies vaccine proof if you have it. A rabies tag can also serve as acceptable identification under city FAQ language.
Fees can vary
Call 970-240-1487 before visiting to ask about reclaim charges and required documents.
Use reclaim hours
Reclaim hours are Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, with Saturday shelter hours ending at 3pm on the official listing portal.
Montrose Animal Control Route
Animal Control handles city ordinance enforcement and welfare concerns. Shelter adoption questions go to the shelter phone; animal-control problems go to the Animal Control phone.
| Situation | Call / action | What to say | Micro-step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal-control issue in city limits | 970-249-9110 | “I need to report an animal-control issue at [exact location].” | Give animal description, direction of travel and danger level. |
| Animal welfare concern | 970-249-9110 | “I am concerned about the welfare of an animal within Montrose city limits.” | Share address, dates, photos if safe and what you observed. |
| Continuously barking or screeching animal | 970-249-9110 | “There is a nuisance animal noise issue at [location].” | City FAQ says it is usually best to try resolving with the animal’s owner first when safe. |
| Loose / at-large animal | 970-249-9110 | “A [dog/cat/other animal] is at large near [cross streets].” | Do not chase into traffic. |
| Adoption or reclaim question | 970-240-1487 | “I am calling about adoption/reclaim for [animal name/ID].” | Use the shelter phone, not animal-control dispatch. |
City Pet Rules Searchers Usually Need
These official FAQ rules help residents avoid repeat impounds, complaints or confusion.
Pet limit
The City FAQ says a maximum of two dogs and two cats are allowed per residence in the City of Montrose.
No pet license program
The City says it no longer has a pet licensing program, but dogs must display current and legible owner contact information.
Acceptable ID
Acceptable identification includes an ID tag, registered microchip or rabies vaccine tag.
Leash rule
When off your own property, animals must be on a leash, cord, chain or other restraint no more than six feet long.
Barking / nuisance
City animal-control regulations prohibit nuisance behaviors such as continuously barking or screeching animals.
Containment
The City FAQ says pet animals must be contained or under control by a leash.
Owner Relinquishment: Appointment and Fees
Owner relinquishments are taken by appointment only. Call the Animal Shelter before bringing an animal.
| Animal | Age category | Relinquishment fee | Prepare before appointment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat | Over 18 weeks | $35 | Medical records, behavior notes, litter habits and reason for surrender. |
| Kitten | Under 18 weeks | $15 | Age estimate, feeding history, vaccine/deworming records if any. |
| Dog | Over 8 weeks | $50 | Medical records, bite history, leash/house habits and behavior details. |
| Puppy | Under 8 weeks | $30 | Mother status, feeding needs, littermate details and health notes. |
Spay and Neuter Help in Montrose
Official city guidance points pet owners to local veterinarians, MAPA vouchers and city-sponsored clinics when available.
Local veterinarians
Spay and neuter services are available from local veterinarians. Contact your veterinarian to ask about current options.
MAPA vouchers
The City says Montrose Animal Protection Agency offers vouchers through local veterinarians to assist with spay/neuter cost.
City clinics
The City sponsors spay and neuter clinics that are advertised in advance. Call the shelter or check its Facebook page for signup links.
Before You Leave Home
Pet screenshot, completed application, valid ID, proof of residence if ID is old, payment and questions list.
Recent photo, microchip number, ID/rabies tag, vet records, last-seen cross streets and proof of ownership.
Photo, exact location, safety status, collar/tag check and microchip scan plan.
Appointment, records, behavior notes, age/medical details and correct fee category.
Map: Montrose Animal Shelter
Use this map for driving orientation. For adoption, reclaim or relinquishment, call first if you need staff confirmation or if it is close to closing time.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Adoption
Hi, I saw [animal name/ID] on the Montrose adoption search. Is this animal still available, and what should I bring to adopt today?Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat] is missing near [cross streets]. The pet is [color/size/markings] and may have [microchip/tag/rabies tag]. Has a matching animal come into the shelter?Found pet
Hi, I found a [dog/cat/other animal] near [exact location]. The animal is [safe/injured/aggressive]. I can/cannot hold it safely. What should I do next?Animal-control issue
Hi, I need to report [loose animal/welfare concern/barking/nuisance/contained animal] at [exact address/cross streets]. The animal is [description] and the current risk is [low/medium/high].Official Montrose Animal Links
The key details are already summarized above. Use these official pages for live pet availability, stray animals, rules, fees and final verification.
Montrose Animal Shelter FAQ
What is the official Montrose animal shelter?
The official shelter covered here is City of Montrose Animal Services / Montrose Animal Shelter in Montrose, Colorado.
Where is Montrose Animal Shelter located?
Montrose Animal Shelter is located at 3383 N. Townsend Ave., Montrose, Colorado.
What is the Montrose Animal Shelter phone number?
The shelter phone number is 970-240-1487.
What is the Montrose Animal Control phone number?
The Animal Control phone number is 970-249-9110.
What are Montrose Animal Shelter adoption hours?
Adoption hours are Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm and Saturday from 10am to 2pm. The shelter is closed Sundays and holidays.
What are Montrose Animal Shelter reclaim hours?
Reclaim hours are listed as Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, with the official animal portal also showing Saturday reclaim hours from 10am to 3pm. Call before visiting on Saturday to confirm timing.
How much does it cost to adopt from Montrose Animal Shelter?
Adoption fees are $100 for dogs 8 weeks to 1 year, $75 for dogs over 1 year, $50 for cats 8 weeks to 1 year, and $30 for cats over 1 year.
What do I need to adopt from Montrose Animal Shelter?
Potential adopters must be at least 21, complete an adoption application and bring a valid driver’s license or state ID. If the ID does not show the current address, proof of residence is required.
Does Montrose require pet licenses?
The City says it no longer has a pet licensing program, but dogs are required to display current and legible owner contact information through an ID tag, registered microchip or rabies vaccine tag.
Are owner relinquishments accepted at Montrose Animal Shelter?
Yes, but owner relinquishments are by appointment only. Call the Animal Shelter first. Listed fees include $35 for cats over 18 weeks, $15 for kittens under 18 weeks, $50 for dogs over 8 weeks and $30 for puppies under 8 weeks.
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.