Franklin Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
“Franklin Animal Shelter” can easily be confused with shelters in several Franklin Counties around the United States. This guide is specifically about the City of Franklin Animal Shelter in Franklin, Virginia, operated through the Franklin Police Department’s Animal Control Division.
The shelter is at 1024 Pretlow Street, Franklin, VA 23851 and Animal Control can be reached at 757-562-8605. The City’s current adoption page publishes adoption requirements and the $10 fee, but it does not currently publish a separate public adoption-hours schedule. Call before driving so you do not arrive when the Animal Control Officer is unavailable.
Checked September 19, 2026
Shelter address, Animal Control number, adoption requirements, adoption fee, stray holding guidance, surrender policy, dog-license fees, Police non-emergency routing and Franklin public-health contacts were checked against current government sources.
City of Franklin—not Franklin County
Franklin is an independent Virginia city. This page does not describe Franklin County, Virginia, Franklin County, North Carolina or any other shelter with “Franklin” in its name.
No invented shelter hours
The current City adoption page does not publish a separate public adoption-hour schedule. The Animal Control FAQ says the City has one full-time officer who is off duty by 3:30 each day. That statement is not converted into fake “shelter hours.”
Franklin Animal Shelter Adoption Hours: Call Before Visiting
This is one place where accuracy is more useful than filling a table with an unsupported schedule. The current City of Franklin adoption page explains who can adopt, the fee and the adoption form, but it does not list distinct shelter viewing hours.
Confirm before driving
Call Franklin Animal Control at 757-562-8605 and ask when adoptable animals can be viewed that day.
Limited Animal Control staffing
The current City FAQ says there is one full-time Animal Control Officer and that the officer is off duty by 3:30 each day. Do not interpret that as a guaranteed shelter closing time.
Check the animal first
The City’s adoption page routes users to its current animal listings and Petfinder. Confirm that the animal is still available before traveling for one specific dog or cat.
How to Adopt From Franklin Animal Shelter
Check current adoptable animals
Start on the City of Franklin adoption page and follow its current-animal listing route. Save the pet’s identifying information before you call.
Call Animal Control before the visit
Call 757-562-8605 to confirm that the animal is available and ask when you can visit. This matters because the City does not publish a separate adoption-hours timetable.
Check basic adopter eligibility
Current City requirements say the adopter must be 18 or older, live in the City of Franklin or a surrounding locality, and cannot have an animal-felony conviction.
Complete the adoption form
The pet adoption form can be started through the City’s animals-for-adoption route or completed at Animal Control.
Pay the $10 adoption fee
The current City adoption page lists a standard adoption fee of $10.
Complete required sterilization
Adopters agree to have the animal spayed or neutered within 30 days, or when the animal becomes old enough. The City says $5 of the adoption fee is refunded after proof of sterilization.
Franklin Animal Shelter Adoption Fee
| Item | Current official detail | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption fee | $10 | Standard fee listed by the City’s current adoption page. |
| Sterilization refund | $5 | Refunded upon proof that the adopted animal was sterilized. |
| Sterilization deadline | Within 30 days or when of age | The adopter accepts responsibility for completing the procedure. |
| Payment methods | Cash, check or debit/credit card | Animal Control’s current FAQ lists all three forms of payment. |
Dogs & Cats Available for Adoption
The City directs prospective adopters to its Animals for Adoption listings, Facebook and Petfinder. Availability can change before a listing disappears, so call if you are making the trip for one animal.
Dogs
Ask about temperament, activity level, known medical needs and sterilization status before committing.
Cats
Ask whether the cat has lived with other animals, whether it is comfortable being handled and what medical follow-up will still be needed.
Choose for fit, not photo
A shelter photo can create an instant connection, but a long-term match depends on your household, schedule, space and ability to provide veterinary care.
Lost Pet in Franklin, Virginia
If your pet disappears, call quickly. Franklin Animal Control’s current FAQ specifically tells owners to contact the shelter so officers can check current animals and watch for a matching pet.
First calls and searches
- Call Franklin Animal Control at 757-562-8605.
- Give a clear description, collar details and the exact area where the animal disappeared.
- Update the microchip company if the pet is chipped.
- Search the immediate neighborhood repeatedly.
- Contact nearby veterinary clinics and surrounding shelters if the pet could have crossed locality boundaries.
- For a wider search strategy, use the Animal Shelter Near Me guide .
Reclaim
If you believe Animal Control has your pet, call 757-562-8605 before traveling. Ask what proof of ownership, rabies information, license information and fees you need to bring.
The City’s FAQ says officers check animals they pick up for microchips and collars that can identify the owner.
How Long Does Franklin Animal Control Hold a Stray?
Animal with a collar
The current Animal Control FAQ says an animal with a collar is kept for 10 days before being made available for adoption.
Animal without a collar
The same FAQ says an animal without a collar is kept for 7 days before being placed for adoption.
Found a Stray or Feral Animal in Franklin
Start with safety
Do not attempt to handle an aggressive, severely injured or unsafe animal if doing so puts you or other people at risk.
Contact Animal Control
Franklin Animal Control responds to animals running at large, assists injured animals and traps stray or feral companion animals.
Trapping depends on weather
The current City FAQ says traps for stray and feral companion animals are used when weather permits and temperatures are not above 85°F or below 32°F.
Owner Surrender at Franklin Animal Shelter
The current City FAQ allows voluntary dog or cat surrender, but this service is specifically limited to City of Franklin residents.
Confirm you are a City resident
A Franklin mailing address does not always mean you live inside the independent City of Franklin. Parts of the surrounding region may use Franklin addresses while being in another locality.
Call before transporting the pet
Call 757-562-8605 first and confirm current intake availability and when staff can receive the animal.
Bring the animal to the shelter when instructed
The City FAQ says City residents can bring a dog or cat to Franklin Animal Shelter and sign an owner-release form.
Bring useful medical and ownership information
Even when not explicitly required on the public FAQ, accurate vaccination, medication, behavior and ownership information helps shelter staff care for the animal.
Franklin Animal Control Services
Franklin Animal Control is part of the City of Franklin Police Department and enforces animal-control ordinances inside the City.
State & local animal laws
Animal Control enforces relevant state law and City ordinances.
Animals running at large
Officers respond to loose animals and may impound dogs that are running at large.
Injured animals
Assisting injured animals is one of the official listed responsibilities of the Animal Control Division.
Cruelty & neglect
Officers investigate complaints involving cruelty, lack of proper shelter and other animal-welfare violations.
Bites & rabies exposure
The division investigates animal bites and rabies-exposure concerns.
Nuisance complaints
The City advises residents with repeated barking or similar animal problems to try speaking with the owner first, then contact Animal Control if the issue continues.
After-Hours Animal Calls in Franklin
The distinction between “someone can take the call” and “an Animal Control Officer is on duty” matters here.
Animal Control staffing
Franklin’s current Animal Control FAQ says the City has one full-time Animal Control Officer and that the officer is off duty by 3:30 p.m. each day.
Emergency Communications
Franklin Police Emergency Communications is a 24/7 dispatch function that answers 911 and non-emergency calls and lists Animal Control calls among the calls it receives and dispatches.
Emergency & Important Franklin Contacts
| Contact | Number | Use this route for |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin Animal Control / Shelter | 757-562-8605 | Lost pets, stray animals, Animal Control complaints, shelter/reclaim questions and adoption visit confirmation. |
| Franklin Police Non-Emergency | 757-562-8575 | Non-emergency Police/dispatch matters, including situations needing public-safety routing when Animal Control is unavailable. |
| Emergency | 911 | Someone hurt, in danger or needing immediate police, fire or emergency medical assistance. |
| Franklin City Health Department | 757-562-6109 | Local public-health guidance, including rabies/exposure questions through the Western Tidewater Health District. |
Animal Bite or Possible Rabies Exposure
A bite is not just a shelter problem. It can also require prompt medical and public-health follow-up.
Wash the wound immediately
Virginia Department of Health advises washing an animal-bite wound thoroughly with soap and plenty of water.
Contact a healthcare provider
VDH advises prompt medical evaluation because bite and scratch exposures can involve rabies and other infections.
Report the animal
Franklin’s Animal Control FAQ says a person who is bitten or scratched should contact Animal Control and their local physician.
Use Franklin City Health Department for public-health guidance
Franklin is served by Virginia’s Western Tidewater Health District. Franklin City Health Department is at 200 Fairview Drive and lists 757-562-6109.
Franklin Dog License Fees & Rabies Requirement
Franklin’s dedicated Dog Tags page says dogs age four months and older must be licensed annually. A current rabies certificate is required when purchasing the license.
| License | Current fee | Where / requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Sterilized dog | $5 | Purchase through the Treasurer’s Office with a current rabies vaccination certificate. |
| Unaltered dog | $10 | Current rabies certificate required. |
| Kennel up to 20 animals | $50 | Check City licensing and zoning requirements before operating. |
Franklin-Specific Pet Rules Worth Knowing
Household pet limit
The current Animal Control FAQ says only six pets are permitted per household unless a kennel license has been obtained through City Planning and Zoning.
Dogs cannot run at large
Franklin’s Dog Tags page says owners must keep dogs on their premises unless the animals are under the owner’s control.
Outdoor dogs need basic care
The City’s FAQ says an outdoor dog must be provided shelter, food, water and containment to the owner’s property.
Veterinary Services at Franklin Animal Shelter
Franklin Animal Control is an enforcement and municipal shelter operation—not a public veterinary clinic.
No public rabies shots
The City’s current Animal Control FAQ says Animal Control does not provide rabies vaccinations.
No low-cost public spay/neuter clinic
The FAQ also says Animal Control does not offer low-cost public spay/neuter services. Adopters must arrange sterilization externally.
No owner-requested euthanasia
Franklin Animal Control says it does not provide owner-requested euthanasia services.
VeterinaryCare schema.
What About the “No-Kill” Description?
Franklin’s current Animal Control FAQ uses unclear wording that references both “no-kill” and “low-kill.” Those terms should not be rewritten into a stronger promise that the City itself has not clearly made.
Franklin Animal Shelter Address & Visit Planning
1024 Pretlow Street, Franklin, VA 23851
This is the shelter address published in the City’s Animal Control FAQ. Franklin Police Headquarters is nearby at 1018 Pretlow Street.
Do not confuse the footer address on some City pages with the shelter: 207 W. 2nd Avenue is the City’s general contact / City Hall address, not the Franklin Animal Shelter address.
Call 757-562-8605 before leaving home to confirm current access, adoptable-animal availability and the best visit time.
Official Franklin, Virginia Resources
Use these government sources for final same-day information. Animal availability, staffing and public access can change.
Franklin Animal Shelter FAQs
Which Franklin Animal Shelter is this page about?
This page covers the City of Franklin Animal Shelter in Franklin, Virginia, not a Franklin County shelter in another Virginia locality or another state.
Where is Franklin Animal Shelter in Virginia?
The City Animal Control FAQ lists the shelter at 1024 Pretlow Street, Franklin, VA 23851.
What is Franklin Animal Control’s phone number?
The current City FAQ lists Franklin Animal Control at 757-562-8605.
What are Franklin Animal Shelter adoption hours?
The current City adoption page does not publish a separate public adoption-hours schedule. Call 757-562-8605 before visiting to confirm when animals can be viewed that day.
How much does it cost to adopt a pet?
The current City adoption page lists a $10 adoption fee. The City refunds $5 when proof of sterilization is provided.
How old must I be to adopt?
Franklin currently requires adopters to be at least 18 years old.
Can someone who lives outside Franklin adopt?
The City’s adoption page says applicants may be residents of the City of Franklin or a surrounding locality.
Does an adopted pet have to be spayed or neutered?
Yes. The adopter agrees to have the animal sterilized within 30 days or when the animal becomes old enough.
What should I do if my pet is missing?
Call Franklin Animal Control at 757-562-8605. The City says staff will check whether the pet has been brought in and can watch for a matching animal.
How long does Franklin hold stray animals?
The current Animal Control FAQ says animals with a collar are held 10 days and animals without a collar are held 7 days before being made available for adoption.
Can City of Franklin residents surrender a dog or cat?
Yes. The current FAQ says City of Franklin residents can bring a dog or cat to Franklin Animal Shelter and sign an owner-release form. Call before arriving.
Does Franklin Animal Control offer rabies shots?
No. The City’s Animal Control FAQ says rabies vaccinations are not offered by Animal Control.
Does Franklin Animal Control offer low-cost spay or neuter?
No. The current FAQ says Franklin Animal Control does not offer low-cost spay/neuter services to the public.
What is the Franklin Police non-emergency number?
Franklin Police lists 757-562-8575 for general information and non-emergency calls. Use 911 only for emergencies.
Who should I contact after an animal bite?
Franklin’s FAQ says contact Animal Control and your local physician. Virginia Department of Health also advises reporting the bite to your local health department. Franklin City Health Department’s listed phone is 757-562-6109.
Is Animal-Shelter.org the official Franklin Animal Shelter website?
No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent informational guide. Use the City of Franklin and Virginia Department of Health sources for current official instructions.
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.