Monadnock Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
The shelter most people mean by “Monadnock Animal Shelter” is Monadnock Humane Society (MHS) at 101 W. Swanzey Road, Swanzey, NH 03446. Current public and adoption hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11 AM–3 PM.
MHS handles pet adoption, found-animal intake by arrangement, owner surrender, cruelty/neglect support, foster care, emergency pet boarding, a pet-food pantry, low-cost wellness clinics and public feline spay/neuter clinics. It should not, however, be treated as one municipal Animal Control department for every town in the Monadnock Region.
Adoption, Animal Control or Pet Help: Which Route Do You Need?
Monadnock Humane Society supports many communities, but an adoption visit, a stray dog, a cruelty complaint and an emergency bite are not the same type of request.
You want to adopt
Start with MHS’s live adoption listings, then visit the Adoption Center during Thursday–Sunday public hours. MHS adopts on a first-come, first-served basis.
Your pet is missing
File the MHS lost-pet form, check found-animal listings frequently and call MHS at 603-352-9011. Also notify the local police or Animal Control authority where the pet disappeared.
You found a dog or cat
Call MHS before bringing the animal. MHS requires an appointment for a found-animal intake. An injured animal should be routed through local police or Animal Control.
Loose, dangerous or nuisance animal
Use the Animal Control authority for the city or town where the incident is occurring. Keene, Swanzey and neighboring Monadnock communities do not all use the same municipal contact.
Your pet needs affordable preventive care
MHS runs a Thursday-morning low-cost wellness clinic for eligible households and separate Wednesday feline spay/neuter clinics.
A crisis is separating you from your pet
MHS’s Animal Safety Net can provide temporary free boarding and medical care in qualifying situations such as domestic violence, homelessness, treatment or natural disaster.
Monadnock Humane Society Adoption Hours 2026
| Day | Public / adoption hours | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed to public | Check live listings online instead of planning a normal adoption visit. |
| Tuesday | Closed to public | No normal public adoption hours. |
| Wednesday | Closed to public | Separate scheduled feline spay/neuter clinics may operate Wednesday; that does not make the Adoption Center open for normal visits. |
| Thursday | 11 AM–3 PM | Public and adoption hours. Low-cost wellness appointments are separately scheduled Thursday mornings. |
| Friday | 11 AM–3 PM | Public and adoption hours. |
| Saturday | 11 AM–3 PM | Weekend adoption hours; check live pet status before a long drive. |
| Sunday | 11 AM–3 PM | Weekend public and adoption hours. |
How to Adopt From Monadnock Humane Society
Check live available animals
Start with the official Monadnock Humane Society adoption page . Follow the current links for dogs, cats and small animals. MHS says its listings update throughout the day.
Visit during public adoption hours
Go to 101 W. Swanzey Road between 11 AM and 3 PM Thursday through Sunday. The Adoption Center is closed to normal public traffic Monday through Wednesday.
Talk with an Adoption Counselor
MHS counselors ask about your household and what you are looking for in a pet so they can help identify a realistic match.
Handle household requirements early
Adopters must be at least 18. If you rent, make sure your landlord allows the type of animal you want to adopt. MHS does not require a fenced yard simply to adopt a dog.
Complete required introductions
If you already have a dog and want to adopt another dog, MHS requires a staff-led dog-to-dog introduction. A family meeting may also be scheduled when children or other household members still need to meet the potential pet.
Adopt or use an in-person hold
You can take a pet home on the day you adopt. If you need a little time to prepare, an eligible animal can be placed on hold in person with a $25 deposit until the end of the next business day.
Adoption Requirements That Matter Before You Visit
18 or older
MHS requires the adopter to be at least 18 years old.
Confirm landlord permission
Renters should know whether the landlord permits the species, size or type of animal they plan to bring home.
Dog-to-dog meeting required
A staff-led introduction is required when adding another dog to a household that already has a dog.
Monadnock Humane Society Adoption Fees
| Animal | Standard published fee | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy under 6 months | $400 | Includes a training class at the MHS Training Center within six months of adoption. A transported dog/puppy has an additional $25 fee. |
| Adult dog 6 months+ | $300 | Transported dogs have an additional $25 fee. |
| Senior dog 8 years+ | $150 | Confirm the exact animal’s current status before visiting. |
| Kitten under 6 months | $175 | Standard published kitten fee. |
| Adult cat 6 months+ | $150 | Standard published adult-cat fee. |
| Senior cat 10 years+ | $50 | Standard published senior-cat fee. |
| Barn / Spirit adult cat | $25 | Applies to the shelter’s designated barn/spirit-cat program. |
| Barn / Spirit kitten | $100 | Under six months. |
| Rabbit | $60 | MHS states rabbits are spayed or neutered. |
| Ferret | $95 | MHS states ferrets receive rabies vaccination. |
| Guinea pig | $20 | Standard published fee. |
| Gerbil / hamster / mouse / rat | $15 | Standard published fee. |
15% off
MHS currently publishes a 15% adoption-fee discount for adopters age 65 or older.
15% off
MHS currently publishes a 15% adoption-fee discount for veterans.
Current October 2026 Adoption Promotion
What Medical Care Is Included With Adoption?
MHS states that adoptable pets leave spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. Species-specific medical work is reflected in its adoption-fee information.
Common included preparation
- Spay or neuter.
- Rabies vaccination where appropriate.
- Distemper vaccination.
- FeLV/FIV testing.
- Flea/tick prevention.
- Deworming.
- Microchip identification.
Common included preparation
- Spay or neuter.
- Rabies vaccination where appropriate.
- Distemper vaccination.
- Heartworm test.
- Heartworm prevention.
- Flea/tick prevention.
- Microchip identification.
Can Monadnock Humane Society Hold a Pet?
$25
A $25 deposit can reserve an eligible pet until the end of MHS’s next business day.
No phone or email hold
MHS explicitly says holds are not accepted by telephone or online/email. You must visit the Adoption Center.
Lost or Found a Pet in the Monadnock Region
Losing a pet is stressful, and checking only one website can waste valuable time. MHS recommends reporting the pet, checking found-animal postings frequently and involving the local authority where the pet was lost.
Start with the MHS lost-pet report
- Complete the official MHS lost-pet process .
- Upload a clear photo focused on your pet.
- Call MHS at 603-352-9011.
- Check MHS found-animal and community postings frequently.
- Contact local police / Animal Control in the municipality where the pet disappeared.
Call before bringing the animal
MHS requires an appointment before a found animal is brought to the shelter. There is no required fee to bring a found pet to MHS.
If an animal appears injured, MHS recommends contacting the local police department for assistance.
Monadnock Animal Control: Use the Correct Municipality
MHS helps Animal Control Officers and law enforcement with strays, cruelty investigations, boarding, quarantine and other animal-welfare situations, but the municipal enforcement route depends on where the incident occurs.
MHS Humane Agent
The current New Hampshire Animal Control Officers Association directory identifies Monadnock Humane Society Humane Agent Beth Doyle for Swanzey.
Phone: 603-352-9011 ext. 114 .
Use the shelter’s main line or local police if you cannot reach the humane-agent extension and the issue requires assistance.
Keene Police Animal Control
Keene operates a municipal Animal Control Division through its Police Department.
Dispatch: 603-357-9813 .
Keene currently lists its Animal Control Officer weekdays from 8 AM–1 PM. If the ACO is unavailable and the matter needs immediate attention, Keene Police says an officer may be dispatched.
Reporting Animal Cruelty or Neglect
MHS maintains a humane-agent and animal-cruelty program and works with law enforcement on neglect, cruelty and hoarding cases.
Non-immediate cruelty concern
Contact MHS at 603-352-9011 and use its current cruelty-reporting route.
Be ready to provide the location, type and number of animals, what you personally observed, when you observed it and any immediate safety concern.
Active violence or immediate danger
Contact the local police department immediately. Call 911 if the situation is an active emergency threatening human life or requiring immediate emergency response.
Animal Bite or Possible Rabies Exposure
Report to the correct town/city
New Hampshire assigns rabies-control responsibilities locally. Contact the Animal Control / police authority where the incident occurred.
Rabies information
New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services: 603-271-4496 .
This is public-health guidance, not an emergency medical-care number.
Surrendering or Rehoming a Pet Through MHS
MHS asks owners to explore safe alternatives when possible, especially when food cost, behavior or a temporary crisis is the reason the family is considering surrender. When shelter surrender is necessary, intake is by appointment.
Check whether another resource solves the problem
MHS offers behavioral support, a pet-food pantry, low-cost clinics and other services that may help a family keep its pet.
Complete the correct intake form
Open the official MHS rehoming and surrender page and choose the canine, feline or small-animal intake form.
Wait for staff follow-up
MHS says staff will reach out within about a week to begin the surrender process. Urgent matters are handled according to the circumstances.
Schedule the surrender appointment
All owner surrenders are by appointment. MHS says the surrender appointment can take up to about 30 minutes.
Send veterinary records
Ask your veterinarian to release the pet’s records to MHS ahead of the appointment, and bring any paper medical or vaccination documents you have.
| Animal | Suggested surrender donation | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Dog | $40 | No |
| Cat | $25 | No |
| Small animal | $10, depending on species | No |
MHS Low-Cost Wellness Clinic: Hours, Eligibility & Fees
MHS runs a public low-cost preventive-care clinic for financially eligible pet owners in the Monadnock Region. This is different from normal Adoption Center hours.
| Cat service | Current price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Exam | $40 | Low-cost wellness appointment. |
| Microchip | $25 | Clinic service. |
| Feline distemper | $15 | Preventive vaccine. |
| Feline rabies | $20 | Rabies vaccine. |
| FeLV test | $25 | Published clinic price. |
| FeLV/FIV combination test | $35 | Published clinic price. |
| Fecal | $15 | Published clinic price. |
| Revolution Plus | $15/dose | Published preventive price. |
| Dog service | Current price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Exam | $40 | Low-cost wellness appointment. |
| Microchip | $25 | Clinic service. |
| Canine distemper | $15 | Preventive vaccine. |
| Rabies | $20 | Rabies vaccine. |
| Bordetella | $15 | Published clinic price. |
| Lyme vaccine | $25 | Published clinic price. |
| Leptospirosis | $25 | Published clinic price. |
| Heartworm test | $15 | Published clinic price. |
| 4DX | $30 | Published clinic price. |
Public Cat Spay / Neuter Clinic
$115
Current published neuter price includes the clinic’s listed basic exam and associated included care.
$135
Current published spay price.
+$10
MHS publishes a $10 microchip add-on for cats using this clinic.
Current clinic preparation also includes distemper-complex and rabies vaccination as appropriate, nail trimming, ear cleaning and a flea check. Flea and ear-mite treatment is included in the published surgery price.
Animal Safety Net: Temporary Pet Care During a Crisis
A temporary personal crisis should not automatically force someone to permanently surrender a pet. MHS’s Animal Safety Net is designed specifically for situations where a pet owner needs time to become safe or stable.
Situations the program can address
- Fleeing domestic violence.
- Homelessness.
- Hospitalization or medical treatment.
- Drug/substance-use treatment.
- Mental-health treatment.
- Fire, flood or other natural-disaster displacement.
What MHS can provide
- Temporary pet boarding.
- Food.
- Medical care when needed.
- Vaccination and microchipping where appropriate.
- Spay/neuter when needed.
- Shelter or confidential foster placement depending on the case.
MHS Pet Food Pantry
Free pet food
MHS provides food to people who need help feeding their pets. The goal is to prevent a temporary financial crisis from becoming a reason to give up an animal.
Daily, 8 AM–5 PM
These pantry hours are broader than normal public Adoption Center hours. For current availability, call MHS at 603-352-9011.
Foster Care at Monadnock Humane Society
Foster homes are used for animals who benefit from time outside the shelter, including nursing mothers, orphaned young animals, medical recovery cases, behavior support and Animal Safety Net pets.
Foster families provide temporary care; MHS retains the adoption process and finalizes adoptions through the shelter.
Visiting Monadnock Humane Society in Swanzey
101 W. Swanzey Road
Swanzey, New Hampshire 03446. The property is south of Keene and includes the Adoption Center, training facilities, pet services, trails and public dog run.
603-352-9011
Adoption Desk: extension 101.
Boarding / Daycare: extension 105.
Training Center: extension 206.
Volunteer Desk: extension 147.
Another New Hampshire Shelter Guide
Manchester
If your animal or adoption search is in Manchester rather than the Monadnock Region, see the Manchester Animal Shelter & Control guide . Manchester uses its own shelter and municipal Animal Control system, so Monadnock/Keene contacts should not be transferred to a Manchester case.
Official Monadnock Humane Society & Local Animal Resources
The core information is summarized above. Use these pages when you need live animal availability, an intake form, clinic appointment or current municipality-specific action.
Monadnock Animal Shelter FAQ: Top 10 Questions
1. Where is Monadnock Humane Society located?
Monadnock Humane Society is located at 101 W. Swanzey Road, Swanzey, NH 03446. Its main phone number is 603-352-9011.
2. What are Monadnock Humane Society adoption hours in 2026?
Current public and adoption hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM. The Adoption Center is closed to normal public traffic Monday through Wednesday.
3. How much does it cost to adopt a dog from MHS?
Standard published fees are $400 for a puppy under six months, $300 for an adult dog six months or older and $150 for a senior dog age eight or older. Transported dogs and puppies have an additional $25 fee. Temporary promotions can reduce the current amount.
4. How much does it cost to adopt a cat from Monadnock Humane Society?
Standard published fees are $175 for a kitten under six months, $150 for an adult cat and $50 for a senior cat age ten or older. Designated barn/spirit cats and kittens use separate lower fee categories.
5. Can I put a Monadnock shelter pet on hold?
Yes. An eligible pet can be held until the end of the next business day with a $25 deposit. The hold must be placed in person and is normally nonrefundable and nontransferable.
6. Is Monadnock Humane Society the Animal Control department?
Not for the entire Monadnock Region. MHS is a private nonprofit that works with law enforcement and Animal Control Officers. The current New Hampshire ACO directory lists the MHS Humane Agent for Swanzey, while Keene has its own municipal Animal Control Officer through the Keene Police Department.
7. What should I do if I find a stray dog near Monadnock Humane Society?
Check nearby homes for an owner and contact the police or Animal Control authority in the town where the dog was found. If an owner cannot be located, call MHS before bringing the dog because found-animal intake requires an appointment. MHS states that New Hampshire stray dogs are held seven days while an owner is sought.
8. Can I surrender my pet to Monadnock Humane Society?
Yes, when MHS serves the owner’s area and the shelter can arrange intake. Complete the appropriate online intake form first. Staff say they will contact the owner within about a week to begin the process, and all surrenders are completed by appointment. Suggested surrender donations are $40 for a dog, $25 for a cat and about $10 for a small animal, but the donations are not required.
9. Does Monadnock Humane Society offer low-cost veterinary care?
Yes. MHS operates Thursday-morning wellness clinics from 9 AM to noon for eligible low-income pet owners who receive state, federal or financial assistance. Current published prices include a $40 exam, $25 microchip and several vaccines from $15–$25.
10. Does MHS offer low-cost spay and neuter?
MHS currently offers public feline spay/neuter clinics on Wednesdays. Published pricing is $115 for male cats and $135 for female cats, with a $10 clinic microchip add-on. Healthy kittens at least eight weeks old, feral cats, cats in heat and pregnant cats are among the cats the program says it accepts.
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.