Denver Animal Shelter: Adoption Hours, Lost Pets, Fees and Animal Control Help
Denver Animal Shelter is the City and County of Denver’s public animal shelter and Denver Animal Protection service hub. Use this guide to check adoption hours, lost-and-found hours, fees, phone numbers, visitor timing, official links, and what to prepare before you go.
Denver Animal Shelter Quick Details
1241 W. Bayaud Ave., Denver, CO 80223. Use the official map link before visiting if you are unfamiliar with the Bayaud Avenue area.
For most non-emergency questions, Denver lists 3-1-1 or 720-913-1311. For animal officer dispatch, use 720-913-2080.
Adoptions, lost pets, found pets, owner redemption, owner surrender paperwork, animal protection, animal ordinances, and community animal services.
Denver Animal Protection provides animal care and protection services for Denver County.
Denver Animal Shelter Adoption Hours 2026
| Service | Days | Hours | Visitor Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adoptions | Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 11 AM – 6:30 PM | Adoption visitations must start at least one hour before closing. |
| Adoptions | Tuesday and Thursday | 12:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Arrive early enough to meet an adoption counselor and complete paperwork. |
| Adoptions | Saturday and Sunday | 9 AM – 4:30 PM | Weekends can be busy, so plan for possible wait time. |
| Lost and Found | Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 11 AM – 6:30 PM | Owner redemption paperwork must start 30 minutes before closing. |
| Lost and Found | Tuesday and Thursday | 12:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Bring proof of ownership if reclaiming a pet. |
| Lost and Found | Saturday and Sunday | 11 AM – 4:30 PM | Check the lost-pet database before visiting. |
| Field Services | Daily | General response hours 8 AM – 8 PM; dispatch 24/7 | Animal Protection Officers are dispatched through Denver Police or Denver 911. |
Adoption Fees at Denver Animal Shelter
Denver Animal Shelter’s adoption package for dogs and cats includes spay or neuter, vaccinations, microchip, and a one-year pet license. Fees can still change for promotions or policy updates, so use the official adoption fee page as the final source before visiting.
| Animal Type | Age / Category | Published Fee | What to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog | Puppies, 2 months to 1 year | $170 | Higher fee category because puppies are usually in high demand. |
| Dog | Adult dogs, 1 to 5 years | $150 | Ask about energy level, behavior notes, and dog-to-dog meeting guidance. |
| Dog | Senior dogs, 6 years and older | $100 | Senior pets may be a better fit for calmer homes. |
| Cat | Kittens, 2 to 5 months | $110 | Bring a safe transport plan or carrier if instructed. |
| Cat | Adult cats, 6 months to 6 years | $95 | Ask staff about temperament, housing needs, and transition tips. |
| Cat | Senior cats, 6 years and older | $65 | Senior cats can be excellent matches for quieter homes. |
| Other | Small animals | $15 | Habitat photo may be required for small mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish. |
| Other | Livestock | $50 | Confirm space, transport, and local rules before adopting livestock. |
How the Denver Animal Shelter Adoption Process Works
Check adoptable pets online before visiting. Denver says the database is updated often, but availability is not guaranteed because adoptions happen quickly.
The shelter allows patrons ready to adopt the same day to meet with an animal. You should be able to take the pet home and pay the adoption fee if approved.
Every adopter meets with an adoption counselor for a foundational conversation, and some visits may require household members or owned dogs to participate.
What to Bring for Adoption
- Driver’s license or photo ID with your current address.
- Proof of current address if your ID address is not current.
- Payment method accepted by the shelter: cash, Visa, Discover, Mastercard, or check.
- Housing approval if you rent or live in a community with pet rules.
- A realistic transport plan for the animal you hope to adopt.
- Habitat photo if adopting small mammals, reptiles, birds, or fish.
Lost Pets, Found Pets and Owner Redemption
If your pet is missing in Denver, search the official lost-pet resources quickly and check back often. Animals listed as lost may later become adoptable if not reclaimed, so timing matters. Bring ownership proof such as photos, veterinary records, microchip information, license details, or other documents that clearly connect you to the animal.
Check the shelter’s lost-pet database, visit during lost-and-found hours when needed, and start redemption paperwork at least 30 minutes before closing.
Follow Denver’s found-pet instructions. If safe and lawful, scan for a microchip and check nearby homes before assuming the animal has no owner.
Denver states that self-service night drop-off kennels are available after hours, with a dedicated entrance to the left of the Lost and Found doors.
Owner surrender paperwork must begin at least 30 minutes before closing. Confirm the current process before bringing an animal to the facility.
Denver Animal Control and Field Services
Denver Animal Protection handles animal protection and enforcement services for Denver County. The official shelter page says field services cover investigations, enforcement, strays, and related animal protection issues. For dispatch, use 720-913-2080. Officers are dispatched through Denver Police or Denver 911.
- Animal bites and safety concerns.
- Stray animal reports.
- Animal welfare and enforcement concerns.
- Barking dog complaints and ordinance-related issues.
- Breed-restricted permit information for qualifying pit bull-type dogs in Denver.
Visitor Planning: Parking, Timing and What Not to Forget
Denver Animal Shelter is a busy public shelter, so the best visit is planned before you leave home. Check the official page, confirm hours, review adoptable animals, and prepare documents. If you are adopting, avoid visiting casually just to meet animals; Denver’s process is designed for patrons ready to adopt the same day.
Arrive well before the final one-hour cutoff for adoption meetings. Earlier arrival gives you more time for the kiosk, counseling, animal meeting, paperwork, and payment.
Know your landlord rules, pet limits, breed restrictions, household allergies, children’s comfort level, and whether your existing dog may need to meet a potential new dog.
Denver Animal Shelter follows the City and County of Denver closure schedule. Always check official updates before visiting around holidays or major city closures.
The city warns of long wait times during high-volume periods. Bring patience, water, and all required documents so your visit is not delayed further.
Nearby Colorado Shelter Option for Comparison
If you are comparing public shelter options in the Denver metro area, you may also want to review the Foothills Animal Shelter guide, which covers a nearby Colorado shelter option. For this exact city-run facility and Denver Animal Protection services, use the Denver Animal Shelter official links below.
Official Denver Animal Shelter Links
Source verification note: This independent guide was written using official City and County of Denver animal shelter pages. Confirm current hours, fees, animal availability, holiday closures, wait-time warnings, adoption promotions, and service rules directly with Denver before visiting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid at Denver Animal Shelter
- Arriving too close to closing: Adoption visitations must start at least one hour before closing.
- Expecting online availability to be guaranteed: Denver updates listings, but animals may be adopted quickly.
- Forgetting ID or proof of address: Adoption requires photo ID with current address or supporting address proof.
- Planning a casual meet-and-greet: Denver says patrons meeting animals should be ready to adopt the same day.
- Ignoring payment method details: Card transactions may include a service fee; check current payment rules.
- Bringing the wrong pet for a meet: Denver allows owned dogs to meet potential dog adoptions, but not cat-on-dog meets.
- Waiting too long after losing a pet: Search the lost-pet database quickly and bring proof of ownership for reclaim.
Denver Animal Shelter FAQs
Denver Animal Shelter is located at 1241 W. Bayaud Ave., Denver, CO 80223.
For officer dispatch, call 720-913-2080. For all other inquiries, Denver lists 3-1-1 or 720-913-1311.
Adoptions are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11 AM to 6:30 PM; Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 PM to 6:30 PM; and Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
Adoption visitations must start at least one hour before closing. Meetings may also stop sooner if the client queue reaches capacity.
Published fees are $170 for puppies, $150 for adult dogs, and $100 for senior dogs, with a listed 50% senior discount for adopters age 65 and over.
Published fees are $110 for kittens, $95 for adult cats, and $65 for senior cats, with a listed 50% senior discount for adopters age 65 and over.
Denver states that dog and cat adoptions come with spay or neuter, vaccinations, microchip, and a one-year pet license.
Yes. Denver describes Denver Animal Shelter as an open-admissions shelter operated by Denver Animal Protection.
Owner redemption paperwork must be started 30 minutes before closing. Arrive earlier when possible because high client volume can create long wait times.
Denver states that self-service night drop-off kennels are available after hours, with a dedicated entrance located to the left of the Lost and Found doors.
Final Takeaway
Denver Animal Shelter is the official city shelter and animal protection hub for Denver County. The most important visitor details are the Bayaud Avenue address, the 720-913-2080 dispatch number for animal protection issues, 3-1-1 or 720-913-1311 for general questions, and the adoption cutoff rule: start your visit at least one hour before closing. Check official Denver pages before visiting because fees, promotions, closure notices, animal availability, and service queues can change.
Map to Denver Animal Shelter
Use the map button for directions to 1241 W. Bayaud Ave., Denver, CO 80223.
Open Google MapIndependent guide. Not affiliated with the City and County of Denver.
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.