Canyon County Caldwell Animal Shelter & Adoption 2026
Use this guide like a Caldwell and Canyon County animal-help dashboard. Pick adoption, lost pet, found pet, reclaim, dog license, surrender, foster, donate, or animal-control routing without reading long paragraphs.
The Caldwell shelter most searchers need is West Valley Humane Society, located at 5801 Graye Ln., Caldwell, ID 83607. Animal control is handled separately by the proper city or county agency.
Choose What You Need
- Clickable action cards
- Who to call first
- Adoption and stray hours
- Adoption pricing and included care
- Adoption micro-steps
- Lost/found pet steps
- Reclaim documents and hold period
- Stray intake and surrender rules
- Animal control routing
- Caldwell/Nampa dog license fees
- Foster, donate and Safehaven
- Before you leave home
- Call scripts
- Map
- Official links
- 10 FAQs
Clickable Canyon County Animal Help Cards
Tap the matching action. These cards are built for fast searcher intent: adoption, lost pet, animal control, reclaim, intake, and dog licensing.
Who to Call First
Animal shelter, animal control, and dispatch are different routes. Use the correct one before driving with an animal.
| Situation | Call / click | What to say | Next micro-step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adopt a pet | Current adoptable animals or 208-455-5920 | “Is [pet name/ID] available, and what is the current price?” | Click the animal photo for profile and pricing. |
| Lost dog or cat | WVHS Lost & Found | “My pet is missing near [cross streets]. Has a matching animal entered the shelter?” | Use lost pet reports and check the lost animal pages daily. |
| Reclaim pet from shelter | Reclaim page | “I found my pet on your site. What fees and proof are required today?” | Bring ID, ownership proof, rabies proof and license money if needed. |
| Found animal in Caldwell city limits | 208-454-7531 | “I found a [dog/cat] at [exact location] in Caldwell.” | Ask whether Animal Control or shelter intake is the correct next step. |
| Found animal outside Caldwell/Nampa city limits | Canyon County route: 208-454-7531 | “This is in unincorporated Canyon County at [location].” | Give description, hazard level and whether animal is contained. |
| Found animal in Nampa city limits | 208-465-2257 | “This is inside Nampa city limits at [location].” | Use Nampa Police Dispatch for city animal control. |
| Owner surrender | Owner Surrender page | “I need surrender help and want to discuss options.” | Do not arrive without checking current capacity and process. |
West Valley Humane Society Adoption Hours
These hours are posted by WVHS across its adoption and contact pages. Confirm before holidays, severe weather, staffing changes or special events.
| Day | Adoption hours | Stray drop-off & redemption | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 11am-5pm | 11am-6pm | Adoption, reclaim, lost/found, pricing questions. |
| Tuesday | 11am-5pm | 11am-6pm | Good weekday adoption/reclaim window. |
| Wednesday | 11am-5pm | 11am-6pm | Midweek visit or follow-up. |
| Thursday | Closed | 11am-6pm | No regular adoption hours; stray/reclaim route still posted. |
| Friday | 11am-5pm | 11am-6pm | Good before weekend demand. |
| Saturday | 11am-5pm | 11am-6pm | Weekend adoption visits; check specific animal first. |
| Sunday | 11am-5pm | 11am-6pm | Sunday adoption and reclaim window. |
Adoption Pricing and Included Care
WVHS says dog adoption fees range from $25 to $500 and pricing can vary based on supply, demand, purebred or rare-breed status, and the medical needs of animals with lower fees. Click each animal profile for the exact current price.
Dog pricing
Dog adoption fees are listed as $25-$500. Animals with higher fees help subsidize medical care, spay/neuter, vaccines and lower-fee pets.
Cat pricing
WVHS tells users to click each cat photo for information and pricing. The homepage also notes a second-cat adoption-fee waiver during same-visit paired cat adoptions.
Veterans discount
WVHS says veterans can adopt for $15 or the cost of a dog license with Military ID or DD Form 214 showing honorable discharge.
| Fee topic | Official detail | What to ask before paying |
|---|---|---|
| Dog adoption | $25-$500, based on multiple shelter factors. | “What is this dog’s exact fee today, and what medical care is included?” |
| Cat adoption | Exact price appears on each animal profile. | “Is there a paired-cat promotion or special adoption pricing today?” |
| Included care | Pricing page says adoption fees cover essential care such as vaccinations, microchipping, spay/neuter and health check-ups. | “Which vaccines and follow-up care are already complete?” |
| Cardboard carrier | Pricing page lists a cardboard carrier at $7. | “Do I need a carrier today for this cat or small animal?” |
| Custom pet tag | Small tags: $6-$8; large tags: $10-$12. | “Can I make a tag before leaving?” |
Adoption Micro-Steps
Follow this order to avoid wasted trips and confusion.
Open the live animal list
Start with all adoptable animals. Filter by dog, cat, other animal, gender, age, availability and attributes.
Click the animal photo
WVHS says each photo gives more information and pricing. Screenshot the pet name and ID before calling.
Call if you are coming for one pet
Ask if the pet is still available, whether a hold is possible, what the exact fee is, and what you must bring.
Prepare your home-pet health
WVHS recommends dogs at home have updated Bordetella vaccine to help prevent kennel cough spread.
Bring essentials
Bring ID, payment method, leash or carrier, household decision-maker, landlord approval if renting, and vaccination questions.
Ask first-week questions
Ask about food, vaccines, microchip, spay/neuter, behavior notes, kids, dogs, cats, crate/litter habits and follow-up care.
Lost or Found Pet in Caldwell / Canyon County
Use shelter tools, dispatch, and local reporting together. Do not rely on one Facebook post only.
If your pet is lost
- Search close first: garage, shed, under vehicles, alleys, neighbor yards and familiar walking routes.
- Check lost dogs and lost cats.
- Use WVHS Lost & Found Pet Map when available.
- Report your pet through PawBoost and Petco Love Lost from the WVHS lost/found page.
- Update the microchip account with your current phone and address.
- Call WVHS at 208-455-5920 if you see a possible match.
- For Caldwell or county animal-control pickup questions, call 208-454-7531.
If you found an animal
- If safe, move the animal away from traffic.
- Take photos before moving the animal.
- Keep the found animal separate from your pets.
- Ask a veterinarian, shelter or animal-control route about microchip scanning.
- Use the right jurisdiction: Caldwell, Nampa or unincorporated Canyon County.
- Do not bring healthy stray cats automatically; WVHS pricing page says healthy/uninjured stray cats are not currently accepted.
- For injured, dangerous or traffic-hazard animals, call dispatch instead of handling.
Reclaim Documents, Fees and Hold Period
If you find your pet in WVHS records, prepare proof before arriving. Reclaim delays can cost time and extra fees.
Government ID
WVHS says a valid government ID is required to reclaim.
Microchip
WVHS lists microchip as the most effective way to prove ownership.
Vet records
Veterinary records can prove medical care and ownership.
Five photos
WVHS says a set of five photos over time can help establish ownership.
Rabies proof
All reclaimed pets are required to have a current rabies vaccination.
Dog license
If you live in Nampa or Caldwell, you may need to purchase a dog license when reclaiming.
| Reclaim issue | WVHS detail | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Dog hold | Canines are held for five business days, excluding weekends and holidays. | Call and visit quickly if your dog appears online. |
| Cat hold | Cats do not have a specified holding time; stay duration depends on shelter capacity. | Check often and contact the shelter fast. |
| Reclaim fees | Fees vary based on vaccine records, alteration status and local licensing. | Use the pricing page and call for exact total. |
| Shelter vaccines | Animals receive booster vaccines upon intake. | Ask which vaccines were given before paying. |
| Impound fees | Pricing page lists escalating owner reclaim fees by impound number, license and sterilization status. | Bring proof of license, alteration and vaccine records. |
Stray Intake and Owner Surrender Rules
Intake rules can change with capacity. Check the official pricing and surrender pages before transporting an animal.
| Need | Current official detail | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Stray dog intake | WVHS pricing page says it is currently accepting stray dogs from unincorporated Canyon County, City of Caldwell and City of Nampa. | Call or use the correct animal-control route before driving. |
| Sick/injured cat intake | WVHS says it is currently accepting sick or injured cats from unincorporated Canyon County, Caldwell and Nampa. | Call fast and describe injury or illness clearly. |
| Healthy stray cats | WVHS pricing page says it is not currently able to accept healthy/uninjured stray cats. | Ask for community-cat or found-cat guidance before trapping or transporting. |
| Owner surrender | WVHS says owner surrender ability is evaluated week-to-week based on space and funding. | Use the owner surrender application and contact WVHS before bringing the pet. |
| Surrender health status | WVHS says surrendered pets undergo medical and behavioral evaluations and requires surrendered pets be spayed/neutered and vaccinated. | Prepare medical records, vaccine proof and behavior notes. |
| Adopt From Home | WVHS offers Adopt From Home as an option when surrender may not be best. | Ask whether rehoming through the program is better for your situation. |
Animal Control: Canyon County, Caldwell and Nampa
Use this when the animal is stray, injured, dangerous, noisy, in traffic, or outside shelter service questions.
| Area | Phone | Use for | Micro-step |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Caldwell | 208-454-7531 | Caldwell Police Department oversees animal control inside Caldwell incorporated city limits. | Call for assistance daily from 8am-5pm; after hours, patrol responds for vicious/injured animals, noise disturbance or traffic problems. |
| Unincorporated Canyon County | 208-454-7531 | Animal complaints outside Nampa/Caldwell city limits. | Provide location, animal description and hazard level. |
| City of Nampa | 208-465-2257 | Nampa Police Department animal control inside Nampa city limits. | Use Nampa Police Dispatch if the animal is in Nampa. |
| Canyon County Animal Control office | 208-455-5920 | Canyon County contact directory lists Animal Control at this number. | Use when confirming office-level animal-control questions. |
| Emergency | 911 | Immediate human safety emergency. | Use only for urgent threats to people. |
Caldwell / Nampa Dog License and Common Fee Checks
Licensing rules depend on where you live. WVHS pricing page says unincorporated Canyon County residents are not required to obtain a dog license, while Caldwell and Nampa have city dog license fees.
| License / fee | Cost | Applies to | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon County dog license | N/A | Unincorporated Canyon County residents | WVHS pricing says dog license is not required. |
| Caldwell unsterilized dog | $48 | City of Caldwell residents | Higher fee for unsterilized dogs. |
| Caldwell sterilized dog with chip | $10 | City of Caldwell residents | Lower fee with sterilization and microchip. |
| Caldwell sterilized dog no chip | $12 | City of Caldwell residents | Still lower than unsterilized fee. |
| Caldwell senior 65+ with chip | $5 | City of Caldwell residents | Senior discounted rate. |
| Caldwell senior 65+ no chip | $6 | City of Caldwell residents | Senior discounted rate. |
| Nampa unsterilized dog | $48 | City of Nampa residents | Nampa city license fee. |
| Nampa sterilized dog | $12 | City of Nampa residents | Lower Nampa fee. |
| Nampa senior 65+ | $6 | City of Nampa residents | Senior discounted rate. |
| Licensing administrative fee | $3 | All licensing transactions | Add to license total where applicable. |
Foster, Donate, Volunteer and Safehaven
WVHS is a nonprofit. It relies on community help, foster homes, donations and volunteers for animal care.
Foster
Use WVHS foster resources if you can provide temporary care for animals needing out-of-shelter support.
Volunteer
Volunteer options appear under WVHS “How to Help.” Check current onboarding before arriving.
Community service
WVHS lists community service as a help category. Confirm requirements and eligibility first.
Donate supplies
WVHS donation page mentions wishlist items such as special food, treats and peanut butter without xylitol.
Medical support
WVHS says $50 a month can provide a wellness exam, vaccines and microchip for a new arrival.
Safehaven
The Safehaven Estate Planning Program helps plan care for pets if an owner can no longer care for them.
Before You Leave Home
Pet screenshot, ID, payment, leash/carrier, landlord approval and home-pet vaccine questions.
Recent photos, microchip number, tag/collar details, exact cross streets and date/time missing.
Government ID, ownership proof, rabies proof, license records and fee payment.
Photo, found location, safety status, containment status and correct jurisdiction phone number.
Local Caldwell / Canyon County Tips
Call before driving
Hours, capacity and intake rules can change. Call before transporting an animal.
Know jurisdiction
Caldwell, Nampa and unincorporated Canyon County use different reporting routes.
Lost dog deadline
Five business days can pass quickly. Check WVHS records every day.
Healthy stray cats
WVHS says it is not currently able to accept healthy/uninjured stray cats.
Microchip helps
Microchip is listed as the most effective ownership proof for reclaiming.
Fees vary
Reclaim, licensing and medical fees depend on records, alteration status and jurisdiction.
Map: West Valley Humane Society in Caldwell
Use this map for the shelter location. For animal-control complaints, use the proper dispatch route before driving.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Adoption
Hi, I am interested in [pet name/ID] on the West Valley Humane Society website. Is this animal still available, what is the current fee, and what should I bring today?Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat] is missing near [cross streets]. Description: [color/size/collar/microchip]. Has a matching animal been brought to WVHS?Found animal
Hi, I found a [dog/cat] at [exact location]. The animal is [safe/injured/aggressive]. This is in [Caldwell/Nampa/unincorporated Canyon County]. What route should I use?Surrender
Hi, I need to discuss owner surrender or Adopt From Home for my [pet]. I have vaccine records and behavior notes. What options are available this week?Official Canyon County / Caldwell Animal Links
The key details are already summarized above. Use these official links for live animals, exact fees, current procedures and final verification.
Canyon County Caldwell Animal Shelter FAQ
What animal shelter serves Caldwell and Canyon County?
West Valley Humane Society is the Caldwell-based shelter covered here. It is located at 5801 Graye Ln., Caldwell, ID 83607.
What is West Valley Humane Society’s phone number?
West Valley Humane Society lists 208-455-5920 as its main phone number.
What are the adoption hours in Caldwell?
West Valley Humane Society lists adoption hours as 11am-5pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Thursday is listed as closed for adoptions.
What are stray drop-off and redemption hours?
West Valley Humane Society lists stray drop-off and redemption hours as 11am-6pm daily, including Thursday.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog from West Valley Humane Society?
West Valley Humane Society lists dog adoption fees as $25 to $500, with exact pricing depending on the animal and shelter factors.
How do I see the exact adoption price for a pet?
West Valley Humane Society says to click each animal photo on the adoptable animals page to see information and pricing for that pet.
How long does West Valley Humane Society hold stray dogs?
West Valley Humane Society says canines are held for five business days, excluding weekends and holidays, before they are assessed for adoption if unclaimed.
Do stray cats have a set holding time?
West Valley Humane Society says cats do not have a specified holding time, and their stay duration depends on shelter capacity.
Who do I call for Caldwell animal control?
For animal control assistance in Caldwell, call 208-454-7531. Caldwell Police Department oversees animal control within Caldwell incorporated city limits.
Are dog licenses required in unincorporated Canyon County?
West Valley Humane Society’s pricing page says unincorporated Canyon County residents are not required to obtain a dog license, while Caldwell and Nampa city residents have city dog license fees.
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.