Belmont County Animal Shelter: Adoption & Pets 2026
Use this Belmont County, Ohio shelter dashboard to check adoption hours, dog and cat viewing windows, current fees, cash-only payment notes, dog-license rules, lost-pet actions, owner-surrender capacity, application requirements, donations, volunteering and the safest call-first route.
Critical update: the shelter’s official page says it is unable to accept owner surrenders at this time because it is at max capacity. Do not drive there for surrender without calling first.
Official source checked
Last verified: August 30, 2026. This page uses the official shelter site, official contact page and Belmont County Auditor dog-license page.
Independent-site note
This is an independent visitor guide. It is not the official Belmont County Animal Shelter, County Auditor, Dog Warden or county government website.
Parking not invented
The official shelter page verifies the address but does not publish parking fee, lot count or accessible-parking details. Call first if access matters.
Choose What You Need
- Clickable action cards
- Who to call first
- Hours, lunch and viewing windows
- Adoption fees and cash rule
- Adoption micro-steps
- Application approval rules
- Cold-weather viewing warning
- Lost/found pet route
- Dog license and Ohio hold rules
- Owner surrender status
- Vet/doctor and medical-note safety
- Parking, arrival and what to bring
- Donate and volunteer
- Call scripts
- Map
- Official and related links
- 10 FAQs
Clickable Belmont County Animal Help Cards
Use these routes instead of treating the page like a basic directory. Each action tells you what to do next.
Who to Call or Contact First
Use this before driving, filling an application, surrendering, reporting a lost pet, or buying a license.
| Situation | Use this route | What to say / prepare | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adopt a dog or cat | 740-695-4708 + Adoptable Pets | “I saw [pet name/photo]. Is this animal still available and can I view today?” | Confirm viewing window and payment method. |
| Application questions | Adoption application | Prepare full answers and references; incomplete applications can be denied. | Make sure existing pets meet the approval rule. |
| Lost dog or cat | Call shelter | Photo, collar/tag, microchip, last-seen location, date/time and owner contact. | Check quickly and keep calling/visiting as intakes update. |
| Found dog | Call shelter/dog warden route | Found location, dog description, tag number, injury status and whether you can safely hold. | Do not rehome privately before official owner-reunion steps. |
| Owner surrender | Call first | Explain species, age, behavior, medical needs and urgency. | Official site says no owner surrenders at this time because of max capacity. |
| Dog license | County Auditor license page | Owner contact details and dog breed, age, sex and hair color. | License before January 31 or within the legal new-dog window. |
| Dangerous dog registration | County Auditor / Dog Warden guidance | Rabies proof, spay/neuter proof, microchip, printed photo, signs and insurance if ordered. | Do not rely on this page for legal advice; verify with county officials. |
Belmont County Animal Shelter Hours and Viewing Windows
Building hours and animal-viewing hours are not the same. Plan around lunch closure, shorter viewing windows, Tuesday closure and Sunday’s shorter pet-viewing time.
| Day | Public hours | Dog/cat viewing window | Practical visit note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10am-4pm | 10am-2pm | Do not arrive after 2pm expecting to view pets. |
| Tuesday | Closed | Closed | Use online pages and prepare questions. |
| Wednesday | 10am-4pm | 10am-2pm | Good day after Tuesday closure; call before driving. |
| Thursday | 10am-4pm | 10am-2pm | Bring application details and references. |
| Friday | 10am-4pm | 10am-2pm | Confirm before weekend if interested in a specific pet. |
| Saturday | 10am-4pm | 10am-2pm | Weekend visits can be busier; arrive early. |
| Sunday | 12pm-3pm | 12pm-1:30pm | Very short viewing window; call first. |
| Daily lunch closure | Closed 11am-11:30am | No service during lunch closure | Avoid arriving during this window. |
Adoption Fees, Dog License Fee and Cash-Only Rule
The shelter’s official fee section is specific. Bring cash unless the shelter confirms another payment route.
| Item | Official listed fee | Payment / warning | Ask before paying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog adoption | $125 | Cash only listed by shelter. | Ask what vaccines, spay/neuter, microchip or vet care are included for the specific dog. |
| Cat over 1 year | $50 | Cash only listed by shelter. | Ask about spay/neuter, vaccines, testing, litter behavior and medical notes. |
| Long-haired cat | $75 | Cash only listed by shelter. | Ask about grooming, matting, shedding and home care needs. |
| Kitten under 1 year | $75 | Cash only listed by shelter. | Ask about booster schedule, spay/neuter timing and kitten-proofing. |
| Long-haired kitten | $100 | Cash only listed by shelter. | Ask about grooming and age-appropriate care. |
| Dog license at shelter | $14 | Additional $14 if delinquent, per shelter page. | Use Auditor page for full one-year, three-year, permanent, kennel and late-fee options. |
Adoption Micro-Steps
Belmont’s official page makes approval requirements clear. Use this sequence to avoid a denied or delayed application.
Check current adoptable animals
Open the official Animals for Adoption page or the shelter’s linked Petfinder/Facebook routes. Screenshot the pet and call before driving.
Call during open hours
Call 740-695-4708 and ask if the animal is still available, whether viewing is possible today, and what cash amount to bring.
Prepare all references
The shelter says references are required. Have names, phone numbers and relationship details ready before submitting.
Check current pets first
All animals in your home must be spayed/neutered and up to date on core vaccines for approval. The shelter says it verifies this with your vet.
Complete the whole application
The official page warns that incomplete applications will not be processed and will be denied.
Plan first-week care
Before adoption, prepare a leash/carrier, quiet room, food transition, vet follow-up, microchip/license update and slow pet introductions.
Application Approval Rules Visitors Often Miss
These rules belong high on the page because they can stop an adoption even when the visitor loves the pet.
Current pets must qualify
Existing animals in the home must be spayed/neutered and up to date on core vaccines.
Vet verification happens
The shelter says it verifies pet spay/neuter and vaccine information with your veterinarian.
References are required
Have references ready before submitting the application. Missing references can delay or stop processing.
Incomplete means denied
The shelter states that applications must be filled out in their entirety or they will not be processed and will be denied.
Renters should verify first
Before applying, confirm landlord permission, pet rent, deposits, breed/size rules and written approval if needed.
Meet-and-greet questions
For selective dogs or cats, ask staff whether more than one meet-and-greet may be needed before approval.
Cold-Weather Dog Viewing Warning
This is a practical local detail many generic pages miss.
Real-feel below 32°F
The official page says dogs will not be available for viewing when the temperature real feel is below 32°F.
Check weather before driving
If cold weather is possible, check current “feels like” conditions for St. Clairsville and call before leaving.
Viewing is already short
Dog/cat viewing ends at 2pm on most open days and 1:30pm on Sunday, so delays matter.
Lost or Found Pet in Belmont County
A dog license can make owner contact faster. Act quickly because Ohio and county-auditor guidance notes different outcomes for licensed and unlicensed dogs.
If your pet is lost
- Call Belmont County Animal Shelter at 740-695-4708.
- Have recent photos, collar/tag number, microchip number and last-seen location ready.
- Check the official shelter page, Petfinder link and shelter social-media channels for current animals.
- Update your microchip company and dog-license contact information immediately.
- Search close: sheds, porches, garages, ditches, barns, culverts and quiet shaded spots.
- Post clear lost-pet notices with cross streets and a safe contact method.
- Repeat calls/checks after the shelter opens because new intakes can appear later.
If you found an animal
- Do not approach an aggressive, injured, trapped or traffic-endangered animal if it puts you at risk.
- If safe, take photos and note exact found location, date and time.
- Look for a collar tag, dog license tag or microchip scan option.
- Call the shelter/dog warden route for official instructions.
- Keep the found animal separate from your pets and children until guidance is received.
- Do not privately rehome a found dog before the official owner-reunion process has a chance to work.
- For injured animals or public danger, use the proper emergency/control route immediately.
Belmont County Dog License Rules and Why They Matter
The County Auditor page gives the deeper licensing rules missing from most shelter summaries.
| License item | Official Auditor detail | Practical takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| One-year dog license | $14 | Basic annual license option. |
| Three-year license | $42 | Useful if you want fewer renewals. |
| Permanent license | $140 | Higher one-time option for long-term owners. |
| Kennel license | $70 | Only use if kennel rules apply. |
| Replacement tag | $5 | Use for a lost current license tag. |
| Transfer to new owner | $5 | Record ownership change with the Auditor. |
| Puppy license | $7 for puppies three months old after July 1 | Useful for young dogs that age into licensing. |
| Late penalty | Penalty equal to license fee after January 31 | A $14 one-year license becomes $28 late. |
| License period | Dogs over three months are licensed each year between Dec. 1 and Jan. 31 | New/Ohio-moved dogs have a 30-day window after acquisition/entry. |
| Licensed vs unlicensed hold importance | Auditor page says a licensed dog may be held up to 14 days after notice; unlicensed dogs can be sold/destroyed after only 3 days under the law summary provided. | License and update contact details before your dog gets lost. |
Owner Surrender Status: Call First
The official shelter site currently says it cannot accept owner surrenders because it is at max capacity.
No owner surrenders now
Do not drive to the shelter with a pet for surrender unless staff confirms a route by phone.
Prepare honest details
Have age, species, breed, photos, vaccines, spay/neuter, bite history, behavior, medical issues and urgency ready.
Ask about alternatives
Ask whether they can suggest timing, rescue routes, waitlist steps or safe rehoming guidance. Do not abandon an animal.
Vet, Doctor and Medical-Information Safety
The user asked whether doctor/vet details should be included when available. For this shelter page, no public shelter veterinarian schedule or named doctor list was verified from the official pages checked.
No fake vet names
This page does not invent veterinarian names, clinic hours, doctor appointments or surgery schedules.
Vet verification is used for adoption
The shelter says it verifies that your current animals are spayed/neutered and up to date on core vaccines with your vet.
Ask staff directly
Before adopting, ask what vet care is included, what records you receive, and what first-month vet follow-up is recommended.
Parking, Arrival and What to Bring
The official contact page verifies the shelter address, but it does not publish parking-fee, lot-size or accessible-space details.
Bring pet screenshot, photo ID, cash, reference details, carrier/leash and landlord approval if renting.
Bring photos, microchip number, dog-license tag, rabies proof if available and last-seen details.
Bring owner contact details, dog breed, age, sex, hair color and fee payment.
Call first. Bring nothing until staff confirms a valid route because owner surrenders are paused.
Donate, Volunteer and Support Shelter Pets
The shelter says volunteers help unite homeless shelter pets with loving families, and donations help provide toys, medical treatments, blankets and beds.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Adoption
Hi, I saw [pet name/photo] on the Belmont County Animal Shelter page. Is this pet still available, and can I view today during the dog/cat viewing window?Application
Hi, I am applying to adopt. I want to confirm what references you need and how you verify current pets’ spay/neuter and core vaccine status with my vet.Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat] is missing near [town/cross streets]. Description: [color/size/collar/tag/microchip]. Has a matching animal been brought in?Found dog
Hi, I found a dog near [exact location]. It is [safe/injured/aggressive]. It has/does not have a tag. What should I do next?Owner surrender
Hi, I saw that owner surrenders may be paused due to capacity. I need advice for [dog/cat] age [age], behavior [summary], medical needs [summary]. Is there any current route?Dog license
Hi, I need to license my dog in Belmont County. I have the owner information and dog details ready. Should I use the Auditor/DocuPet route or the shelter?Map: Belmont County Animal Shelter
Use this map for the verified shelter address. Call before driving if you need a specific animal, surrender guidance, parking/access help or viewing confirmation.
Official and Related Links
The important details are summarized above. Use these links for live pets, forms, dog licensing and final official confirmation.
Belmont County Animal Shelter FAQ
What is the Belmont County Animal Shelter phone number?
The official phone number for Belmont County Animal Shelter is 740-695-4708.
Where is Belmont County Animal Shelter located?
Belmont County Animal Shelter is located at 45244 National Road West, St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950.
What are Belmont County Animal Shelter hours?
The official page lists Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm; Tuesday closed; and Sunday from 12pm to 3pm. The shelter is closed for lunch daily from 11am to 11:30am.
When can I view dogs and cats at Belmont County Animal Shelter?
Dogs and cats may be viewed from 10am to 2pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, dogs and cats may be viewed from 12pm to 1:30pm.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog from Belmont County Animal Shelter?
The official shelter page lists dogs at $125.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat or kitten from Belmont County Animal Shelter?
The official shelter page lists cats over one year at $50, long-haired cats at $75, kittens under one year at $75, and long-haired kittens at $100.
Does Belmont County Animal Shelter take cash or cards?
The official shelter fee section says cash only.
Can I surrender an animal to Belmont County Animal Shelter right now?
The official shelter page says it is unable to accept owner surrenders at this time because it is at max capacity. Call 740-695-4708 before making any surrender plan.
What can stop my adoption application from being approved?
The shelter says all animals in the home must be spayed or neutered and up to date on core vaccines, and that it verifies this with your veterinarian. It also says the application must be complete and references are required.
How much is a Belmont County dog license?
The Belmont County Auditor page lists a one-year dog license at $14, a three-year license at $42, and a permanent license at $140. After January 31, a penalty equal to the license fee is assessed.
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.