Putnam County West Animal Shelter, Adoption & Pets 2026
Putnam County Animal Shelter serves Putnam County, West Virginia from its Red House facility at 12908 Charleston Road, Red House, WV 25168. People come here for very different reasons: to meet a dog, look for a missing cat, report neglect, ask about a stray, foster a litter of kittens, volunteer, or simply figure out who should handle an animal problem.
If you are hoping to adopt, begin with the shelter’s live animal listings before making the drive. A pet can become unavailable quickly, and a good match is about more than the face in a photograph—it is also about energy, health, behavior, housing and what your household can realistically provide for years.
County-specific information
The shelter states that it has provided Putnam County, West Virginia with animal-control services since 1986. Its current website covers adoptions, strays, foster care, cruelty and neglect reports, volunteering and community support.
Public hours need confirmation
The shelter’s official website does not currently display one clear public-hours table in its main text. Its current Petfinder profile lists Tuesday 12–6 p.m., Wednesday–Saturday 12–4 p.m., and Monday/Sunday closed. Call before a long drive.
Independent page
Animal-Shelter.org is an independent information guide. It is not Putnam County Animal Shelter, Putnam County government, the Sheriff’s Office, 911, or the Health Department.
Choose the Right Putnam County Animal Service
Someone trying to adopt a kitten does not need the same route as a caller reporting a neglected dog. Starting with the correct official service saves time and keeps urgent animal-welfare calls from being mixed with routine adoption questions.
Putnam County Animal Shelter Hours: 2026 Visit Planning
The shelter’s official contact page verifies the address, phone and email but does not currently publish a simple day-by-day public-hours table in its readable page text. The schedule below comes from the shelter’s current Petfinder profile, so confirm it directly before a long drive, holiday visit or same-day adoption trip.
| Day | Current Petfinder-listed hours | Visitor planning |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | Browse pets online and prepare questions instead of planning a routine walk-in visit. |
| Tuesday | 12:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. | Longest currently listed public window. Still confirm if your visit depends on one specific animal. |
| Wednesday | 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | Arrive early enough to meet animals and ask questions. |
| Thursday | 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | Call first for time-sensitive shelter or intake questions. |
| Friday | 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | Confirm pet availability before driving for one animal. |
| Saturday | 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | Useful weekend adoption window; check for event or holiday changes first. |
| Sunday | Closed | Do not assume normal walk-in access. |
How to Adopt From Putnam County Animal Shelter
The shelter describes itself as adoption-focused and provides live dog and cat listings through Shelterluv. A better adoption visit starts online, but the final decision should happen after you meet the animal and ask staff what life with that pet is likely to look like.
Check current animals online
Open the official All Animals page and note the pet’s name, age group and any profile information available.
Call if your trip depends on one pet
Availability can change quickly. A short call can prevent a disappointing drive when the animal has already been adopted or is temporarily unavailable.
Meet the animal in person
Ask about energy, handling, behavior, health notes, other animals, children and what the pet has been like in the shelter.
Confirm the exact fee and included care
The shelter publishes category-based adoption fees. Ask staff to confirm the animal’s fee and current spay/neuter status before checkout.
Prepare safe transport
Bring a secure carrier for a cat and a safe leash, harness or crate plan for a dog. A loose animal in the car is a poor start to the trip home.
Give the pet time to decompress
Shelter pets can be quiet, restless, clingy or overwhelmed during the first few days. Keep the first night calm and build routine gradually.
Putnam County Animal Shelter Adoption Fees
These fee categories are currently published on the official Putnam County Animal Shelter adoption pages. Confirm the exact amount at adoption because promotions or policy changes can happen after publication.
| Animal | Official listed fee | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Adult cat | $55 | Ask about temperament, litter habits, vaccination records and transition needs. |
| Kitten | $75 | Budget for future routine veterinary care, food, litter and enrichment. |
| Senior cat — age 6+ | $40 | Ask about mobility, dental needs, medications and recent medical observations. |
| Large dog — 6 months+ | $75 | Ask about leash behavior, energy level, dog-to-dog interactions and home setup. |
| Senior dog — age 7+ | $45 | Ask about mobility, medications, dental history and senior-pet care. |
| Puppy — under 6 months | $95 | Plan for training, chewing, housebreaking and future veterinary care. |
Spay / neuter
The shelter says adoption fees include spay/neuter surgery.
Current vaccinations
Current vaccinations are included in the care bundle described on the official adoption pages.
Parasite care
The shelter also lists deworming and flea/tick treatment among included adoption services.
Putnam County Animal Control, Cruelty & Neglect
Putnam County Animal Shelter says it manages animal-control and neglect complaints within its jurisdiction. This is one of the most important local differences between this county shelter and a private adoption-only rescue.
Report by phone
Call 304-586-0249 and leave a confidential voicemail for cruelty or neglect concerns.
Give the exact location
The shelter asks callers to provide the street address and ZIP code where the animal is located.
Describe what you actually observed
Useful details can include visible wounds, severe thinness, lack of food/water/shelter, untreated illness, embedded collars, abandonment or suspected fighting.
Emergency & Important Contacts — Putnam County WV
These numbers have different jobs. The shelter’s normal phone is not 911, and Putnam County’s public-safety dispatch line is not a replacement for routine adoption questions.
| Contact | Number | Verified purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Putnam County Animal Shelter / Animal Control | 304-586-0249 | Shelter questions, animal-control issues, cruelty and neglect complaints within the shelter’s jurisdiction. |
| Emergency — Putnam County | 911 | Putnam County 911 says to use 911 when life, body or personal property is in immediate danger. |
| Putnam County Non-Emergency Dispatch | 304-586-0246 | Official Putnam County 911 / Sheriff’s dispatch non-emergency line. |
| Putnam County Sheriff’s Office | 304-586-0256 | Sheriff’s law-enforcement office / crime reporting contact. Use 911 when the situation is an emergency. |
| Putnam County Health Department | 304-757-2541 | Local public-health department. West Virginia directs animal-bite and potential rabies reports to the local health department. |
| Health Department — After-Hours Public Health Emergency | 681-587-3541 | Putnam County Health Department’s published 24/7 public-health emergency contact. |
Lost or Found Pet in Putnam County
Missing-pet cases are emotional because every hour can feel longer than it is. Use several routes at once rather than waiting for one social-media post or one shelter check to solve the problem.
If your pet is missing
- Check the shelter’s official current-animal listings repeatedly.
- Call 304-586-0249 with species, color, sex, collar details, microchip status and exact last-seen location.
- Search the immediate neighborhood physically, including sheds, porches, wooded edges and hiding places.
- Update the pet’s microchip registry contact information.
- Prepare recent photos, veterinary records, license information and other proof of ownership.
If you found an animal
- Record the exact location where the animal was found.
- Safely check for a visible tag if the animal allows handling.
- Keep a found pet separated from your own animals until you know more about health and behavior.
- Call the shelter before transporting the animal when intake or jurisdiction is uncertain.
- Use 911 only when the situation meets Putnam County’s emergency criteria.
Important Local Rule: Healthy Community Cats
Animal Bites & Rabies Reporting in Putnam County
An animal bite is both an injury issue and a public-health issue. West Virginia’s health guidance says animal bites and other potential rabies exposures should be reported to the local health department within 24 hours.
Wash the wound
West Virginia public-health guidance recommends thoroughly washing a bite or scratch with soap and warm water.
Get medical advice
Seek prompt medical evaluation when a bite, scratch or possible rabies exposure occurs.
Contact Putnam County Health Department
Call 304-757-2541 for the local health department. Its public-health emergency line is 681-587-3541 after hours.
Do not make your own quarantine decision
Health officials determine what investigation, animal observation/testing or human post-exposure treatment may be needed.
Current Putnam County Animal Shelter Team
The current official About page identifies the following leadership and service roles. This is useful when you want to understand who coordinates adoption, medical care or humane enforcement at the shelter.
Kaitlin Johnson
Director — Chief Humane Officer.
Nautica Champlin
Assistant Director — Supervisory Humane Officer.
Sierra Johnson
Medical Manager.
Rosie Tucker
Adoption Coordinator.
Foster & Volunteer With Putnam County Animal Shelter
You do not have to adopt to make a direct difference. The shelter currently asks volunteers for hands-on help in several areas, and fostering can give an animal a quieter place to recover, grow or wait for adoption.
Dog playgroups
Volunteers help dogs exercise and socialize through supervised enrichment.
Cattery help
Current volunteer needs include cleaning, food, water and general cat-care assistance.
Kitten nursery
The shelter identifies orphaned kittens and nursing mothers as an area where volunteers can help.
Pet photography
Good photos can help shelter pets show their personalities and attract potential adopters.
Ways to Help When Adoption Is Not Right for You
Shelter wish lists
Current needs include dog and cat food, kitten/puppy food, litter pellets, puppy pads, paper towels, gloves, dish soap, milk replacer, crates, carriers, bleach and laundry detergent.
Adopt-a-Kennel
The shelter offers an annual kennel sponsorship that helps support care while recognizing the sponsor on a kennel.
Donations & planned giving
The shelter accepts direct support and also publishes planned-giving options for people who want longer-term impact.
Putnam County Dog License Note
Shelter-listed dog license fee
The shelter’s adoption pages describe a $3 Putnam County dog license fee.
Spay/neuter support
The shelter states that $2.70 of the $3 fee supports Putnam County spay/neuter programs.
Helps reunite dogs
The shelter explains that a county tag helps identify the owner when a lost dog is found.
Need to Surrender a Pet? Call Before You Arrive
Putnam County Animal Shelter says it cares for surrendered animals, but the current official site does not publish one complete owner-surrender schedule, fee table or guaranteed walk-in intake policy.
What to Bring Before Visiting
If you may adopt
- Photo ID and current contact information.
- Pet name or listing information from the official site.
- Landlord or housing approval if pet rules apply.
- Payment method after confirming the current fee.
- Secure carrier for cats or safe leash/harness/crate plan for dogs.
- Questions about medical care, behavior and the first week at home.
If your pet may be at the shelter
- Recent clear photographs of the animal.
- Veterinary records if available.
- Microchip information.
- County license or tag details for dogs.
- Rabies certificate if available.
- Safe transport equipment for the trip home.
Map: Putnam County Animal Shelter in Red House, WV
Verified shelter address: 12908 Charleston Road, Red House, WV 25168 . Confirm visit timing and the animal’s status before making a long trip.
Other West Virginia Shelter Guides
If the animal was found outside Putnam County—or you are comparing adoption options elsewhere in West Virginia—use the correct shelter for that jurisdiction rather than assuming the Red House shelter handles every nearby county.
Official Putnam County Animal Shelter & Public-Service Links
Use these sources for current pets, forms, same-day changes and official emergency/public-health instructions.
Putnam County Animal Shelter FAQ
Where is Putnam County Animal Shelter in West Virginia?
The shelter is located at 12908 Charleston Road, Red House, WV 25168.
What is the Putnam County Animal Shelter phone number?
The shelter lists 304-586-0249 as its main phone number. The same number is used on its official animal-services page for animal-control and cruelty/neglect reports.
What is the shelter email?
The official shelter contact page lists animalshelter@putnamwv.org.
What are Putnam County Animal Shelter hours?
The shelter’s current Petfinder profile lists Monday closed, Tuesday 12–6 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday 12–4 p.m., and Sunday closed. Because the official shelter website does not currently show a clear day-by-day public-hours table, confirm directly before visiting.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog?
Current official shelter pages list large dogs age 6 months+ at $75, senior dogs age 7+ at $45, and puppies under 6 months at $95.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat?
Current official pages list adult cats at $55, kittens at $75, and senior cats age 6+ at $40.
What is included in the adoption fee?
The shelter says adoption fees include spay/neuter surgery, current vaccinations, deworming and flea/tick treatment.
How do I report animal cruelty or neglect in Putnam County?
Call 304-586-0249 or use the official cruelty/neglect form. The shelter asks for the street address and ZIP code where the animal is located and useful details about the situation.
Does Putnam County Animal Shelter pick up healthy community cats?
The official animal-services page says the shelter does not pick up healthy community cats or kittens.
What is the Putnam County non-emergency dispatch number?
Putnam County 911 and the Sheriff’s Office list 304-586-0246 as the non-emergency dispatch number.
When should I call 911 in Putnam County?
Putnam County 911 says to use 911 when life, body or personal property is in immediate danger. Do not use 911 for routine shelter or adoption questions.
Who handles animal-bite and rabies reporting in Putnam County?
West Virginia guidance says animal bites and potential rabies exposures should be reported to the local health department within 24 hours. Putnam County Health Department’s main number is 304-757-2541.
Does Putnam County Health Department have an after-hours number?
Yes. The Health Department publishes 681-587-3541 as its 24/7 after-hours public-health emergency number.
Can I foster or volunteer with the shelter?
Yes. The official volunteer page includes volunteer sign-up, dog enrichment opportunities, cattery and kitten-nursery help, photography, a foster FAQ and a foster application.
Does the shelter have a veterinarian or public veterinary clinic?
The current official site lists a Medical Manager and includes veterinary care within shelter operations, but it does not publish a public veterinary-clinic appointment program or identify a treating shelter veterinarian for public appointments. This guide therefore does not invent doctor names, clinic hours or veterinary appointment fees.
Is Animal-Shelter.org the official Putnam County Animal Shelter website?
No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent informational website. Use Putnam County Animal Shelter and Putnam County government resources 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.