Clifton Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
Use this Clifton, New Jersey animal-help dashboard to adopt a dog or cat, call Animal Control, report a stray or injured animal, surrender by appointment, handle outdoor cats, check dog license fees, or find the correct official page.
Verified rule: Clifton’s official FAQ says adoptions are appointment-only after the online application is processed, even though the city also lists adoption/redemption windows.
Official source checked
Last verified: August 12, 2026. Details use Clifton city Animal Control, Clifton city FAQ, staff directory, applications/forms, and Clifton Animal Shelter application pages.
Application first
The city FAQ says to apply at CliftonAnimalShelter.com, then expect contact within about 3 days and an appointment once processed.
No fake data
No fake adoption fees, no fake ratings, no fake reviews, no unverified staff claims, and no BreadcrumbList schema inside this Custom HTML.
Choose What You Need
- Clickable action cards
- Who to call first
- Adoption hours
- Adoption micro-steps
- 7-day stray hold
- Lost/found pet steps
- Surrender by appointment
- Dog license rules and fees
- Outdoor cats and TNR
- Animal control routing
- Wildlife and dead animals
- Cruelty and emergency calls
- Before you leave home
- Call scripts
- Map
- Official links
- 10 FAQs
Clickable Clifton Animal Help Cards
Tap the matching action. Each card points to the official route or the safest phone step.
Who to Call First in Clifton
Use this before you drive, trap an animal, post online, or bring a pet to the shelter.
| Situation | Call / click | What to say | Next micro-step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adopt a dog or cat | Online application / 973-470-5936 | “I submitted/want to submit an adoption application for [pet name/type].” | Wait for processing and appointment contact. |
| Stray dog during city business hours | 973-470-5760 | “There is a stray dog running loose at [exact location].” | Give direction of travel, color, size and collar/tag details. |
| After hours or weekend animal issue | 973-470-5911 | “I need animal-control routing after hours for [issue].” | Follow Clifton Police non-emergency instructions. |
| Lost pet / injured animal | 973-470-5761 | “My pet is lost / I found an injured animal near [place].” | Call first, then check shelter if instructed. |
| Surrender a pet | 973-470-5936 | “I live in the service area and need surrender information.” | Do not show up without an appointment. |
| Outdoor cat / TNR question | 973-470-5936 | “I need TNR information for outdoor cats at [address/area].” | Do not expect the shelter to trap outdoor cats. |
| Animal cruelty | 973-470-5911 or 973-470-5900 | “I want to report suspected animal cruelty at [location].” | Police investigate cruelty reports. |
Clifton Animal Shelter Adoption Hours
Official sources list adoption/redemption windows, but Clifton’s FAQ says adoptions are by appointment only after the online application is processed.
| Day | Official listed adoption/redemption window | Visitor rule | Best action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 6:30pm-8:30pm | Appointment-first | Apply online and wait for contact. |
| Tuesday | 6:30pm-8:30pm | Appointment-first | Call if you already have appointment questions. |
| Wednesday | 6:30pm-8:30pm | Appointment-first | Bring ID and pet-readiness questions. |
| Thursday | 6:30pm-8:30pm | Appointment-first | Confirm pet availability before driving. |
| Friday | 6:30pm-8:30pm | Appointment-first | Good evening window if appointment is set. |
| Saturday | By appointment | Appointment required | Do not show up without confirmation. |
| Sunday | Noon-4pm | Appointment-first / donation window listed | Call or confirm before visiting. |
Adoption Micro-Steps
Clifton’s official FAQ gives a clear adoption flow: apply online, wait for contact, then attend the appointment.
Open the shelter website
Start at CliftonAnimalShelter.com and check dogs/cats or the online adoption application.
Submit the application
The city FAQ says to fill out the online application and that you will be contacted within about 3 days.
Wait for appointment contact
The shelter will make an appointment time once the application is processed.
Ask about the exact fee
Official city pages do not publish a fixed adoption-fee table. Ask Friends of the Shelter for the current adoption donation or fee before your appointment.
Bring practical items
Bring photo ID, carrier for cats, leash/collar for dogs, landlord permission if renting, and any requested household decision-makers.
Ask before leaving
Ask about vaccination status, spay/neuter status, microchip, food, temperament, other pets, children and first-week setup.
7-Day Stray Hold Before Adoption Eligibility
Seven-day hold
Clifton Animal Control says animals brought to the shelter are cared for and held for seven days before becoming eligible for adoption.
Owner reunion first
The city states the primary goal is to reunite pets with their owners before adoption eligibility.
Call quickly
If your pet is missing, call the shelter and police non-emergency route quickly, then follow in-person or appointment instructions.
Lost or Found Pet in Clifton
Use the shelter, Animal Control and police non-emergency route together. Tags and licenses help Animal Control return dogs faster.
If your pet is lost
- Call Clifton Animal Shelter / Animal Control at 973-470-5761.
- After hours or weekends, call Clifton Police non-emergency at 973-470-5911.
- Prepare pet photo, microchip number, license tag, collar details and exact last-seen location.
- Ask whether the pet may have been brought to the shelter behind City Hall.
- Check daily during the seven-day stray hold window if Animal Control captured a matching animal.
- Update the microchip registry and call your veterinarian.
- Post local lost/found notices with one identifying detail kept private for proof.
If you found an animal
- If it is safe, move the animal away from traffic without putting yourself at risk.
- Call Animal Control for stray, injured or potentially rabid animals.
- Share exact location, animal type, size, color, collar/license tag and behavior.
- Do not handle wildlife or potentially rabid animals.
- Do not privately rehome a found pet before the owner has a fair chance to reclaim it.
- For dangerous or urgent issues after hours, call police non-emergency.
- For poison ingestion, contact your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435.
Surrendering a Pet: Appointment Only
Clifton’s FAQ is direct: do not just show up to surrender a pet.
Call first
Call Friends of the Shelter at 973-470-5936 and leave a detailed message about your situation.
Prepare details
Prepare pet name, age, species, behavior, medical history, bite history, spay/neuter status and urgency.
No walk-in surrender
The official FAQ says you cannot just show up to surrender a pet.
Clifton Dog License Rules and Fees
Clifton’s FAQ gives the clearest license rules, fee amounts and deadlines.
| Rule / fee | Official detail | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| When to license after acquiring a dog | Within 10 days after acquiring the dog. | License quickly after adoption or purchase. |
| Moving into Clifton | License within 10 days after moving into Clifton; out-of-state dogs kept over 90 days need a Clifton license. | Do not wait until renewal season if newly moved. |
| Licensing age | A dog is of licensing age at seven months or when it has permanent teeth. | Start preparing rabies proof before the deadline. |
| Rabies proof | Up-to-date rabies certificate or medical exemption certification is required. | Bring or upload the certificate. |
| 1-year spayed/neutered | $17.00 | Proof needed for initial license. |
| 1-year non-spayed/non-neutered | $21.00 | Higher fee applies. |
| 3-year spayed/neutered | $48.00 | Rabies expiration must qualify for 3-year license. |
| 3-year non-spayed/non-neutered | $60.00 | Rabies expiration must qualify for 3-year license. |
| License expiration | All licenses expire January 31; 3-year license expires January 31 of the third year. | Renew before late fee starts. |
| Late fee | $10 per dog beginning March 2 for late renewals. | Renew before March 2. |
Outdoor Cats, Feeding Rules and TNR
Clifton’s official guidance separates outdoor-cat feeding, TNR help and trapping rules.
No outdoor-cat trapping by shelter
The city says Clifton Animal Shelter does not trap outdoor cats.
TNR information
If interested in Trap-Neuter-Return programs, contact Friends of the Shelter at 973-470-5936.
Feeding cats
The city FAQ says feed for a limited time, be present during feeding, and remove food/dishes after feeding.
Clifton Animal Control Routing
Animal Control handles local/regional animal-care enforcement and responds to specific animal situations.
| Issue | Correct route | What Animal Control does / does not do |
|---|---|---|
| Stray, lost, injured or potentially rabid animals | 973-470-5761 | Animal Control responds, captures when needed and attempts to locate owners. |
| Stray dog during city business hours | 973-470-5760 | City FAQ lists this number Monday-Friday 8:15am-4:15pm. |
| After hours / weekends | 973-470-5911 | Clifton Police non-emergency can reach Animal Control at all times. |
| Animal inside living quarters | Animal Control | City FAQ says Animal Control only comes out if the animal is in living quarters, not attic, basement walls or chimney. |
| Nuisance wildlife trapping | Not handled by Animal Control | City says nuisance wildlife trapping is no longer conducted. |
| Outdoor cats | Friends of the Shelter for TNR info | Shelter does not trap outdoor cats. |
Wildlife, Dead Animals and Poisoning
Wildlife boundaries
Animal Control only responds to certain wildlife situations, such as animals inside living quarters or sick/injured non-mobile wildlife cases.
Dead wildlife in roadway
For dead wildlife on roadways, call Public Works at 973-470-2237 during business hours.
Dead domestic animals
Report dead domestic animals such as dogs or cats to Animal Control so they can check for microchips or identification clues.
Bear sighting
Clifton FAQ says to contact Clifton Police at 973-470-5911 for a bear.
Do not feed wildlife
The city FAQ says not to feed wildlife and to secure trash, food waste, grills and recyclables.
Poison ingestion
If you believe your pet ingested poison, contact your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435.
Animal Cruelty, Emergencies and Rabies Clinics
Cruelty reports
Clifton says animal cruelty reports must be investigated by the Police Department. Call 973-470-5911 or 973-470-5900.
Animal emergency
Call Clifton Police at 973-470-5911; the city FAQ says they can reach Animal Control at all times.
Rabies clinics
Clifton offers free rabies clinics for dogs and nominal-fee cat rabies clinics. Check current city announcements for dates.
Before You Leave Home
Online application, appointment confirmation, photo ID, carrier/leash, landlord permission if renting.
Recent photo, microchip number, license tag, collar details, last-seen location, proof of ownership.
Call first, leave detailed message, prepare medical/behavior history, do not walk in.
Rabies certificate, spay/neuter proof, license fee, renewal timing, late-fee date.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Adoption
Hi, I submitted or want to submit an adoption application for [dog/cat name]. Can you confirm the next appointment step and current fee?Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat] is missing near [cross streets]. Description: [color/size/collar/license/microchip]. Has a matching animal been brought to the Clifton shelter?Found animal
Hi, I found a [dog/cat/other] at [exact location]. It is [safe/injured/aggressive]. It has/does not have tags. What should I do next?Surrender
Hi, I live in [town] and need surrender or rehome guidance for my [dog/cat]. I can provide medical, behavior and urgency details. May I schedule a call or appointment?Map: Clifton Animal Shelter / Municipal Complex
Use this map for the Municipal Complex at 900 Clifton Avenue. The shelter is behind City Hall and the Police Department; follow campus signs.
Official Clifton Animal Links
The important details are summarized above. Use these links for live forms, application, current city updates and final verification.
Clifton Animal Shelter FAQ
Where is Clifton Animal Shelter located?
Clifton Animal Shelter is in the Municipal Complex at 900 Clifton Avenue, behind City Hall and the Police Department. The city Animal Control page also describes the shelter as at 2 Dog Pound Road behind City Hall.
What is Clifton Animal Shelter’s phone number?
The city lists Clifton Animal Shelter at 973-470-5761. For pet adoption, the city directory lists 973-470-5936.
What are Clifton Animal Shelter adoption hours?
The city lists shelter hours for adoptions and redemptions as Monday-Friday 6:30pm-8:30pm, Saturday by appointment, and Sunday noon-4pm. The FAQ says adoptions are by appointment only after the online application is processed.
How do I adopt a dog or cat from Clifton Animal Shelter?
Go to CliftonAnimalShelter.com and fill out the online adoption application. The city FAQ says you will be contacted within about 3 days and an appointment time will be made once the application is processed.
Can I just show up to surrender a pet in Clifton?
No. The Clifton FAQ says to call 973-470-5936, leave a message with the specifics of your situation, and wait for more information.
How long are stray animals held before adoption in Clifton?
Clifton Animal Control says animals brought to the shelter are cared for and held for seven days before becoming eligible for adoption.
Who do I call for a stray dog in Clifton?
Monday-Friday from 8:15am to 4:15pm, the FAQ says to call 973-470-5760. After hours and weekends, call Clifton Police non-emergency at 973-470-5911.
Does Clifton Animal Shelter trap outdoor cats?
No. The city Animal Control page says Clifton Animal Shelter does not trap outdoor cats. For Trap-Neuter-Return information, contact Friends of the Shelter at 973-470-5936.
How much is a Clifton dog license?
The Clifton FAQ lists dog license fees as $17 for a 1-year spayed/neutered dog, $21 for a 1-year non-spayed/non-neutered dog, $48 for a 3-year spayed/neutered dog, and $60 for a 3-year non-spayed/non-neutered dog.
Who investigates animal cruelty in Clifton?
Clifton says animal cruelty reports must be investigated by the Police Department. Call 973-470-5911 or 973-470-5900 to report suspected animal cruelty.
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.