Denver Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
A practical Denver Animal Shelter guide for adoption hours, adoptable pets, lost and found pets, animal control dispatch, owner surrender, adoption fees, courtesy holds, paperwork cutoffs, map directions and official Denver Animal Protection links.
Denver Animal Shelter & Control searches usually mean one urgent thing: you need the right Denver animal service without wasting a trip. This 2026 guide explains Denver Animal Shelter adoption hours, lost-pet reclaim hours, field-service dispatch, adoption costs, same-day adoption rules, pet surrender steps, night drop-off details and visitor checklists in one place. Use this page to prepare; use the official Denver pages for final live availability, closures, queue status and service changes.
Denver Animal Shelter Quick Details
Denver Animal Shelter is operated by Denver Animal Protection and serves the City and County of Denver. The shelter helps with pet adoption, lost and found animals, owner surrender, animal protection dispatch, licensing and pet-service resources.
What Denver Animal Shelter and Control Does
Denver Animal Shelter is the city shelter for Denver County. Denver Animal Protection provides animal care and protection services, reunites lost pets, adopts pets, enforces animal ordinances and handles animal protection calls.
Denver Animal Shelter Hours
Denver has separate public schedules for adoptions, lost/found services and field services. The biggest visitor mistake is arriving too close to closing. Adoption meetings must start at least one hour before closing, and redemption or surrender paperwork must start 30 minutes before closing.
| Service | Days | Hours | Cutoff / planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adoptions | Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 11 AM–6:30 PM | Adoption visits must start at least 1 hour before closing and may stop earlier if the queue is full. |
| Adoptions | Tuesday, Thursday | 12:30 PM–6:30 PM | Good option for later weekday visits, but go early if you want to meet a specific animal. |
| Adoptions | Saturday, Sunday | 9 AM–4:30 PM | Weekend demand can be higher. Start early and choose backup pets. |
| Lost and Found | Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 11 AM–6:30 PM | Owner redemption paperwork must start 30 minutes before closing. |
| Lost and Found | Tuesday, Thursday | 12:30 PM–6:30 PM | Bring ID, proof of ownership, photos, microchip/license records and payment method. |
| Lost and Found | Saturday, Sunday | 11 AM–4:30 PM | Arrive earlier if reclaiming because review and paperwork can take time. |
| Field services | Daily | General response 8 AM–8 PM | Dispatch is available 24/7 at 720-913-2080; after-hours response depends on emergency review. |
Denver Animal Shelter Adoption Process
Denver’s adoption process is built around same-day adoption readiness. You should search online first, but animals are adopted quickly and the online database cannot guarantee availability. Denver only allows patrons ready to adopt the same day to meet with an animal.
Search adoptable animals online first
Review the official adoptable pet database before leaving home. Choose 1–2 top pets plus backups because availability can change quickly.
Arrive ready to adopt today
Denver does not place animals on hold for later pickup. Do not sign in to meet an animal unless you are ready to complete paperwork, pay the adoption fee and take the pet home if approved.
Use the kiosk correctly
For dogs and cats, choose “Meet with an Animal,” take the printed ticket and wait for your number. After choosing a pet, return to the kiosk for “Complete Adoption Paperwork.”
Meet with an adoption counselor
Staff may review the pet’s medical notes, behavior notes, background and home-fit needs. Additional family members or owned dogs may be required depending on the situation.
Finish payment, paperwork and pickup
If the pet is already spayed or neutered, it may be able to go home at adoption. If not, Denver may schedule the next available surgery appointment and give you pickup instructions.
Denver Animal Shelter Adoption Fees
Denver lists adoption fees by animal type and age. Dog and cat adoptions include spay/neuter, vaccinations, a microchip and a one-year pet license. Temporary specials can change pricing, so verify fees on Denver’s official page before payment.
| Adoption type | Published fee | What to ask before paying |
|---|---|---|
| Puppies, 2 months–1 year | $170 | Ask about vaccine schedule, spay/neuter timing, training needs and first-month supplies. |
| Adult dogs, 1–5 years | $150 | Ask about leash behavior, energy, medical notes, dog introductions and rental restrictions. |
| Senior dogs, 6+ years | $100 | Ask about arthritis, dental needs, medications, activity level and calm-home fit. |
| Kittens, 2–5 months | $110 | Bring a carrier and ask about vaccine timing, litter box transition and kitten-proofing. |
| Adult cats, 6 months–6 years | $95 | Ask about personality, social confidence, medical notes and starter-room setup. |
| Senior cats, 6+ years | $65 | Ask about medical history, dental needs, grooming, food and quiet-home needs. |
| Small animals | $15 | Denver may require a habitat photo for small mammals, reptiles, birds and fish. |
| Livestock | $50 | Ask about housing, local rules, transport, veterinary care and current availability. |
| Senior adopter discount | 50% off | Applies to pet adoptions for adopters age 65 and older; confirm current rules before checkout. |
Adoption Holds, Dog Meets and Small Animal Habitat Photos
Denver does not use normal pre-adoption holds for later pickup. The shelter may charge a non-refundable $20 courtesy hold if an approved adopter needs a few hours for additional family or household members to meet, including owned dogs. That $20 does not apply to the adoption cost.
Dog Adoption Notes for Denver Visitors
Denver dog adoption is more than choosing a cute photo. Ask about age, expected size, leash behavior, activity level, known behavior notes, medical history, dog compatibility and what the first week should look like.
Cat, Small Animal and Livestock Adoption Notes
Cat adopters should bring a secure carrier and ask about the cat’s confidence, social style, litter box habits, medical notes and whether the cat needs a quiet starter room. For small animals, reptiles, birds, fish or livestock, check housing, diet, temperature, enclosure safety, handling and local rules before adoption.
Lost Pets at Denver Animal Shelter
If your pet is missing in Denver, act fast. Denver holds lost pets for five calendar days. Search the official lost/stray database, visit quickly if you see a match, and bring proof of ownership such as photos, vet records, microchip information, license records and ID.
Denver Animal Control and Animal Protection Dispatch
Denver Animal Protection handles field-service issues such as animal investigations, enforcement, strays, animal concerns, bite reports and related ordinance issues. Officer dispatch is available 24/7 at 720-913-2080. General response hours are listed as 8 AM to 8 PM daily, with after-hours emergency decisions handled through dispatch.
Owner Surrender at Denver Animal Shelter
Denver Animal Shelter accepts animals from residents of the City and County of Denver after other options have been exhausted. Denver states that no appointment is required and there is no relinquishment fee, but you should bring proof of ownership and fill out the surrender form for the pet.
Before surrendering, try these first
- Contact the rescue, previous owner or shelter that helped you get the pet.
- Ask family, friends or trusted local contacts if they can help.
- Talk with a veterinarian about medical or behavior issues.
- Use Denver’s resources page for behavior support, low-cost services and community support options.
- Be honest about bite history, medical needs, medications, fears and behavior concerns.
What to Bring Before Visiting Denver Animal Shelter
Bring the right documents and supplies the first time. This is especially important for adoption, pet reclaim, owner surrender or small-animal adoption.
Common Mistakes Visitors Should Avoid
Map and Directions to Denver Animal Shelter
Denver Animal Shelter is located at 1241 W. Bayaud Ave., Denver, CO 80223. Use the map for route planning, but confirm official hours, closures and queue status before traveling for one specific pet.
Map is for visitor planning only. Official availability, fees, cutoffs and closures should be verified on Denver’s official website.
Official Links for Denver Animal Shelter & Control
Use these official Denver pages for final live information. This guide summarizes the process, but the official pages control current pet listings, policy changes, closures and service updates.
Related Animal Shelter Guides
If you are comparing adoption, lost-pet, animal-control or no-kill shelter options, these related guides may help. Each internal link is used once and points to a live guide.
Denver Animal Shelter Action Planner
Use this lightweight helper to choose the right first step before you call, drive, adopt, reclaim, surrender or report an animal concern. It does not search live Denver databases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Denver Animal Shelter located?
Denver Animal Shelter is located at 1241 W. Bayaud Ave., Denver, CO 80223.
What is the phone number for Denver Animal Shelter?
For general shelter questions, call 311 or 720-913-1311. For Animal Protection officer dispatch, call 720-913-2080.
What are Denver Animal Shelter adoption hours?
Adoptions are listed as Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 AM to 6:30 PM; Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 PM to 6:30 PM; and Saturday/Sunday from 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
When do Denver adoption meetings stop?
Adoption visitations must start at least one hour before closing. Meetings may stop earlier if the queue is full.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog from Denver Animal Shelter?
Published dog fees are $170 for puppies, $150 for adult dogs and $100 for senior dogs. Verify current pricing and specials before payment.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat from Denver Animal Shelter?
Published cat fees are $110 for kittens, $95 for adult cats and $65 for senior cats. Verify current pricing and specials before payment.
What is included in Denver dog and cat adoptions?
Denver states that dog and cat adoptions include spay/neuter, vaccinations, a microchip and a one-year pet license.
How long does Denver Animal Shelter hold lost pets?
Denver holds lost pets for five calendar days. Search quickly and visit immediately if you see your animal listed.
Can Denver residents surrender a pet without an appointment?
Denver says no appointment is required and there is no relinquishment fee, but residents should bring proof of ownership and fill out the surrender form.
Does Denver Animal Shelter have after-hours drop-off?
Yes. Denver lists self-service night drop-off kennels after hours near the Lost and Found entrance.
Final Takeaway
Denver Animal Shelter is the City and County of Denver’s open-admission shelter at 1241 W. Bayaud Ave. The most important visitor details are the 311 / 720-913-1311 general contact route, 720-913-2080 Animal Protection dispatch number, separate adoption and lost/found schedules, one-hour adoption meeting cutoff, 30-minute reclaim/surrender paperwork cutoff, five-day lost-pet hold, same-day adoption readiness rule and published adoption fee categories.
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.