AWSOM Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
The organization behind the AWSOM name is the Animal Welfare Society of Monroe, a nonprofit animal shelter serving Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Its shelter is at 3129 Godfrey Ridge Drive, Stroudsburg, PA 18360, and the main number is 570-421-DOGS (3647).
AWSOM lists adoption hours every day from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. If one particular dog or cat has already caught your eye, check the current pet list before making the trip—the official adoption list is updated daily, and approval begins with a pre-adoption application rather than simply arriving first.
Checked September 19, 2026
Shelter hours, adoption fees, application rules, Wellness Center hours, local emergency routing, Pennsylvania dog licensing and rabies contacts were checked against current official shelter and government sources.
Built for Monroe County users
This page distinguishes shelter adoption help from police, state Dog Law enforcement and human rabies-exposure guidance. Those jobs are not interchangeable.
“Control” needs context
AWSOM’s current official pages identify it as a private nonprofit shelter, not as Stroudsburg’s municipal animal-control dispatch agency. Public-safety and Dog Law routes are therefore listed separately below.
What Is AWSOM Animal Shelter?
AWSOM stands for Animal Welfare Society of Monroe. The organization describes itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Monroe County, with a mission centered on placing dogs and cats in adoptive homes, helping with lost pets and promoting responsible pet ownership.
Physical shelter
The public shelter is at 3129 Godfrey Ridge Drive in Stroudsburg. AWSOM publishes daily adoption hours rather than separate weekday/weekend adoption schedules.
Dogs and cats
AWSOM’s public adoption program focuses on dogs and cats. Its official adoptable-pet page says listings are updated daily.
Community veterinary care
The AWSOM Wellness Center began as a clinic for shelter animals and now also serves community pets from the greater Pocono region.
Choose the Right AWSOM or Local Help Route
A lost pet, adoption application, veterinary appointment and public-safety problem need different next steps.
AWSOM Animal Shelter Adoption Hours 2026
AWSOM currently publishes one simple public adoption schedule: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. That makes weekend planning easier, but an open shelter does not guarantee that one specific animal will be ready for a meet-and-greet.
| Day | Adoption hours | Before you leave home |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM | Check the pet list and application status. |
| Tuesday | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM | Approved adopters should arrange the next step with staff. |
| Wednesday | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM | Bring questions about behavior and medical care. |
| Thursday | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM | Renters should have landlord information ready. |
| Friday | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM | Confirm availability before a long Pocono-area drive. |
| Saturday | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM | Allow enough time for a calm meeting rather than arriving near closing. |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM | The official site currently lists Sunday as an open adoption day. |
How AWSOM Adoption Actually Works
Walking through the door is not the first step. AWSOM requires a pre-adoption application, reviews the household, and then works toward a meet-and-greet. That process can feel slower when you have already fallen for a pet’s photo, but the shelter’s stated goal is a long-term match rather than simply sending an animal home quickly.
Browse today’s adoptable pets
AWSOM says its adoptable-pet list is updated daily. Save the pet name and read the available description before applying.
Submit the pre-adoption application
A pre-adoption application is required for all adopters. The application is the start of the process—not an adoption contract or guarantee.
Complete housing and veterinary checks
Renters need landlord information. Applicants with current pets should be ready for AWSOM to verify veterinary care, vaccinations and spay/neuter status.
Wait for approval and stay in contact
AWSOM says staff contact applicants upon approval. Its longer application guidance also encourages approved applicants to remain proactive about arranging a visit or meet-and-greet.
Meet the animal at AWSOM
Approved adopters are required to visit the shelter for a meet-and-greet before completing the adoption.
Complete the AWSOM Adoption Agreement
If the match moves forward, the adopter completes the Adoption Agreement and pays the applicable adoption fee.
AWSOM Adoption Fees in 2026
AWSOM currently publishes specific standard fees by species and age. Senior pricing is not posted as one fixed public number; the official page tells adopters to ask staff.
| Animal | Current listed fee | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Kitten | $150 | Two kittens are currently listed at $250. |
| Adult cat | $100 | Two cats are currently listed at $150. |
| Puppy — 2 to 6 months | $450 | Ask about age-appropriate follow-up care before leaving. |
| Puppy — 7 months to 1 year | $375 | Confirm the animal’s listed age with shelter staff. |
| Dog over 1 year | $300 | Standard adult-dog fee shown on the official adoption page. |
| Senior animal | Ask AWSOM | AWSOM tells visitors to ask staff about senior-animal pricing; this guide does not invent an amount. |
Spay / neuter
AWSOM says adoption fees include spay or neuter care.
Microchip
Microchipping is included for adopted dogs and cats.
Basic pre-adoption care
Listed inclusions also include pre-adoption vaccines, deworming and external-parasite treatment. Cats receive feline leukemia testing according to the shelter.
Before You Apply: AWSOM’s Important Adoption Requirements
The application is more detailed than a simple name-and-address form. Preparing these points first can prevent a frustrating delay.
Housing and household
- Renters are asked for landlord information so pet permission can be verified.
- The application asks whether everyone in the household agrees about the pet.
- Applicants are asked about children, allergies, work schedule and how long the pet would be alone.
- AWSOM evaluates whether the household can meet the specific animal’s long-term physical and behavioral needs.
Existing pets and veterinary history
- Current pets should be under active veterinary care and current on applicable vaccinations.
- AWSOM says current household pets must generally be spayed or neutered unless a medical reason is verified.
- Applicants provide veterinarian information and permit AWSOM to verify relevant records.
- Special-needs animals may require proof that the adopter can handle the medical needs and related costs.
Bringing a Dog Home When You Already Have a Dog
This is one of the most important AWSOM-specific rules to know before arriving with expectations of a same-day dog adoption.
Resident-dog meeting is mandatory
AWSOM says dogs already living in the home must participate in a shelter meet-and-greet before a new dog goes home.
Rabies protection
AWSOM’s application guidance says resident dogs should have a rabies vaccination before the meet-and-greet.
More than one meeting may be needed
Staff may determine that several introductions or more time are needed before deciding whether the dogs are a safe match.
Lost or Found Pet Near Stroudsburg and Monroe County
Losing a pet can make every hour feel long. AWSOM maintains a Found Animals page for animals brought to the shelter, and the shelter tells owners to check back often.
If your pet is missing
- Check AWSOM’s official Found Animals page repeatedly rather than only once.
- Call the shelter at 570-421-3647 with the pet’s description and where it went missing.
- Update the pet’s microchip registry and make sure your phone number is current.
- Search neighboring shelters and jurisdictions because pets do not stop at township or county lines.
- Keep current photos, vet records, license information and distinctive markings ready as proof of ownership.
If you found a pet
- If it is safe, look for a visible tag, Pennsylvania dog-license tag or owner phone number.
- Ask a shelter or veterinary clinic about microchip scanning when appropriate.
- Call AWSOM before assuming the shelter is the correct intake destination.
- For an aggressive animal, active traffic danger, attack or threat to a person, use the public-safety route below rather than trying to handle the animal yourself.
If your missing animal may have traveled farther north or west, our Griffin Pond Animal Shelter guide covers another northeastern Pennsylvania shelter and its current visiting/lost-pet information.
Emergency & Important Local Contacts
These numbers have deliberately different labels. AWSOM’s shelter number is not being presented as 911 or as a municipal police dispatch line.
| Contact | Number | Verified purpose |
|---|---|---|
| AWSOM Animal Shelter | 570-421-3647 | Shelter, adoption, AWSOM lost/found and organization-specific questions. This page does not label the shelter number as a municipal emergency line. |
| Emergency — 911 | 911 | Stroud Township’s official emergency page directs users to 911 for emergencies. Use this for immediate threats to human life or active public-safety emergencies. |
| Monroe County Control Center — Non-Emergency | 570-992-9911 | Official non-emergency dispatch route published by Stroud Township. The Control Center can dispatch an officer or arrange an officer callback. |
| Stroud Area Regional Police | 570-421-6800 | Police department serving Stroudsburg Borough, East Stroudsburg Borough and Stroud Township. For dispatch, use the Monroe County Control Center route above. |
| PA State Dog Warden — Carbon / Monroe | 570-350-0804 | Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s published Dog Warden contact for Carbon and Monroe counties. Use for applicable Pennsylvania Dog Law matters—not as a substitute for 911. |
| PA Department of Health — Rabies Exposure | 877-724-3258 | 877-PA-HEALTH. Pennsylvania says public-health staff respond 24/7 when a person is concerned about exposure to an animal that may have rabies. |
AWSOM Wellness Center: Veterinary Care at the Shelter Campus
AWSOM’s Wellness Center was originally developed for animals in shelter care and now also serves community animals from the greater Pocono region. The clinic is separate from normal adoption walk-in hours.
New-pet exams
AWSOM specifically mentions new kittens and a puppy’s first veterinary examination among the Wellness Center’s community services.
Spay and neuter
Spay/neuter care is listed among the current clinic services. Contact the Wellness Center for current availability and cost.
Ongoing medical care
The clinic also describes helping with management of chronic illness.
Monroe County Dog License After Adoption
A microchip and a Pennsylvania dog license do different jobs. AWSOM includes a microchip with dog adoptions, while Pennsylvania separately requires dog licensing.
| 2026 license | Official fee | Practical detail |
|---|---|---|
| Regular annual dog license | $10.80 | Monroe County’s 2026 page directs dog owners to the Pennsylvania licensing system or County Treasurer. |
| Senior / person with disability annual license | $8.80 | Eligibility documentation may be required. |
| Regular lifetime license | $52.80 | A permanent identification method such as a microchip or tattoo is required for a lifetime license. |
| Senior / person with disability lifetime license | $36.80 | Permanent identification and eligibility requirements apply. |
Getting to AWSOM: Read This Before Using GPS
This is a genuinely useful local detail: AWSOM’s own directions page tells visitors not to rely on GPS because it says the address may not be recognized correctly.
Want to Help AWSOM Without Adopting?
Adoption is not the only useful way to help. AWSOM says donations support animal care, feeding, comfort and operation of the shelter.
Supply drop-off
AWSOM currently lists donation drop-off at 3129 Godfrey Ridge Drive from 11 a.m.–4 p.m., seven days a week.
Check the current wishlist
Needs change. The current wishlist includes specific food and shelter supplies, and AWSOM also lists items it is not accepting.
Used-item rule
AWSOM asks that accepted used items be cleaned or laundered before donation and currently excludes several categories such as used toys, litter pans and human clothing.
If AWSOM Is Not the Right Shelter for Your Situation
Jurisdiction and shelter policy matter most for lost pets and public-safety calls. A shelter that is excellent for adoption may not be the agency responsible for a stray found somewhere else.
Compare shelter types across the U.S.
You can browse Animal-Shelter.org’s shelter resources when you need a different location or state.
Pennsylvania systems are not all alike
A private nonprofit like AWSOM operates differently from a large municipal intake agency. The internal Pennsylvania examples linked above can help you understand why the right lost-pet or animal-control route depends on where the animal is located.
Official AWSOM and Government Resources
Use these pages for live pet listings, forms, current fees, appointment availability and final same-day instructions.
AWSOM Animal Shelter FAQ
What does AWSOM stand for?
AWSOM stands for Animal Welfare Society of Monroe, a nonprofit animal shelter serving Monroe County, Pennsylvania.
Where is AWSOM Animal Shelter located?
AWSOM is at 3129 Godfrey Ridge Drive, Stroudsburg, PA 18360. The shelter also uses PO Box 13, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 for mail.
What is the AWSOM Animal Shelter phone number?
The main shelter phone is 570-421-DOGS, or 570-421-3647.
What are AWSOM adoption hours in 2026?
AWSOM currently lists adoption hours every day from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Do I need an application before adopting from AWSOM?
Yes. AWSOM requires a pre-adoption application. The application is the first step and does not guarantee approval or guarantee a specific animal.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog from AWSOM?
AWSOM currently lists puppies ages 2–6 months at $450, puppies 7 months–1 year at $375 and dogs over 1 year at $300. The shelter asks adopters to contact staff about senior-animal pricing.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat or kitten from AWSOM?
AWSOM currently lists kittens at $150 or two kittens for $250. Adult cats are $100 or two cats for $150.
What does the AWSOM adoption fee include?
AWSOM says adoption fees cover spay/neuter, pre-adoption vaccines, deworming, external-parasite treatment, microchipping for dogs and cats, and feline leukemia testing for cats.
Do my current dogs need to meet an AWSOM dog before adoption?
Yes. AWSOM’s current application guidance says a meet-and-greet with resident dogs is mandatory before the new dog goes home. Several meetings may be required.
How long are stray dogs held at AWSOM?
AWSOM’s current application guidance states that stray dogs are held for approximately 48–72 hours. Applications may be submitted during that period but are considered after the hold expires.
Does AWSOM have a veterinary clinic?
Yes. The AWSOM Wellness Center is at the same Godfrey Ridge Drive property and serves shelter and community animals. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by appointment only. Its phone number is 570-424-1060.
Who is the veterinarian at the AWSOM Wellness Center?
A current treating-veterinarian name or complete veterinarian roster could not be reliably verified from the public AWSOM clinic pages checked for this article. Call 570-424-1060 for current clinical staff and appointment details.
How much does the AWSOM Wellness Center charge?
A reliable current general Wellness Center fee schedule was not published on the official clinic pages checked for this update. Contact the clinic at 570-424-1060 for the current examination or procedure fee that applies to your pet.
Who should I call for an emergency near AWSOM?
For an immediate emergency or threat to a person, call 911. Stroud Township publishes 570-992-9911 as the Monroe County Control Center non-emergency number. Pennsylvania publishes 877-724-3258 for possible human rabies exposure questions.
Is AWSOM the municipal animal-control agency?
Current official AWSOM pages reviewed for this guide identify AWSOM as a private nonprofit shelter. This page therefore does not describe AWSOM as Stroudsburg’s municipal animal-control dispatch agency. Public-safety, Dog Law and rabies contacts are listed separately.
Does Pennsylvania require a dog license after adoption?
Yes. Pennsylvania requires dog licensing. The 2026 regular annual license fee is $10.80, with eligible senior/person-with-disability annual licenses at $8.80. Monroe County’s Treasurer page provides the local application route.
Should I use GPS to reach AWSOM?
AWSOM’s official directions page specifically warns visitors not to rely on GPS because it says the shelter address may not be recognized correctly. Use the shelter’s current written directions before leaving.
Is Animal-Shelter.org the official AWSOM website?
No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent informational resource. For applications, live pet availability, medical appointments and final visit instructions, use AWSOM’s official website.
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.
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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.