Flathead County Animal Shelter, Adoption & Pets 2026
Flathead County Animal Shelter—usually shortened to FCAS—is the county municipal shelter at 225 Cemetery Road, Kalispell, Montana 59901, about a quarter-mile west of Highway 93. It serves cats and dogs across Flathead County and operates under the Flathead City-County Health Department.
If you are hoping to adopt, call before driving: pet showings are by appointment only. If you found a stray, lost your own pet, need Animal Control, want to surrender an animal, or need rabies/bite guidance, the correct route is different—and this page keeps those contacts separated.
Verified September 23, 2026
Shelter hours, fees, Animal Control, licensing, lost/found, surrender, microchip, TNR and rabies information were checked against current Flathead County government pages.
Government shelter
FCAS is a municipal county shelter operating under the Flathead City-County Health Department—not a private rescue or a third-party adoption directory.
Independent guide
Animal-Shelter.org is an independent informational website. It is not Flathead County Government, FCAS, Animal Control, the Health Department or an emergency dispatcher.
Choose the Right Flathead County Animal-Service Route
The shelter, Animal Control and Health Department work together, but they do different jobs. Starting with the right contact can save a wasted drive across the valley.
Flathead County Animal Shelter Hours & Appointment Rules
FCAS currently describes its public shelter visits as appointment only. The county also says all appointments end 30 minutes before closing.
| Day | Current public schedule | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday–Friday | 12:00–5:00 p.m. | Appointment only. Final appointments end 30 minutes before close. |
| Saturday | 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Appointment only. Saturday has the shorter public window. |
| Sunday–Monday | No walk-ins | Phones are checked and returned. The county says stray intake and pet reclaims remain available. |
| Federal holidays | No walk-ins | Call first if you have a time-sensitive reclaim or stray issue. |
Flathead County Animal Shelter Adoption Fees 2026
FCAS publishes separate fees by pet age. Flathead County residents adopting a dog also pay the county’s $45 lifetime dog-license fee.
Dog adoption fees
| Dog | Fee | Local note |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy, 6 months & under | $125 | Flathead County residents add the $45 lifetime dog license. |
| Adult dog | $100 | Call to schedule a showing first. |
| Senior dog | $75 | Senior pets receive a $350 veterinary voucher funded by Flathead Shelter Friends. |
Cat adoption fees
| Cat | Fee | Local note |
|---|---|---|
| Kitten, 6 months & under | $70 | Availability can change between online check and appointment. |
| Adult cat | $55 | Call 406-752-1310 to schedule a showing. |
| Senior cat | $40 | Senior pets receive the $350 veterinary voucher. |
How to Plan a Flathead County Adoption Visit
A little preparation matters here because FCAS does not run open walk-through adoption hours.
Check adoptable pets online
Look at current dogs and cats and note the animal you want to ask about.
Call 406-752-1310
Schedule the required showing rather than assuming you can walk in during posted hours.
Ask about current availability
Online listings can change. Confirm that the animal is still available before driving.
Discuss your household honestly
Ask about temperament, medical history, activity level, resident pets and the kind of home where the animal is most likely to settle well.
Prepare the first few days at home
FCAS uses the 3-3-3 adjustment idea as a general guide: the first days can feel overwhelming, the first weeks bring more personality, and settling fully can take months.
Emergency & Important Flathead County Contacts
These numbers do not all do the same job. Use the label that matches your actual situation.
| Contact | Number | Official purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Flathead County Animal Shelter | 406-752-1310 | Adoption appointments, lost/found help, reclaim, surrender and shelter-program questions. |
| Animal Control / Flathead County Dispatch |
406-758-5610 Prompt #1 |
Stray animals and animal-related public-safety concerns. FCAS publishes this as its Animal Control route. |
| Emergency — 911 | 911 | Flathead Emergency Communications Center says to call 911 for an immediate threat to life, safety or property or when police, fire or medical response is needed now. |
| Rabies / Animal Bite Reporting | 406-751-8117 | Flathead City-County Health Department Communicable Disease line for bite reports, suspected rabies exposure and related guidance. |
| Public Health Emergency — After Hours | 406-756-2900 | Flathead City-County Health Department’s after-hours public-health emergency line. This is not routine Animal Control. |
Lost or Found Pet in Flathead County
Flathead County has different guidance for found dogs and healthy found cats, so do not use the same plan for every stray animal.
If you lost a pet
- Submit the county’s official lost-pet report.
- Check current stray animal listings repeatedly.
- Search the area where the pet was last seen, including garages, sheds, crawl spaces and other hiding spots.
- Contact local veterinarians and Animal Control.
- Update your microchip registry information immediately.
- Use clear current photos in neighborhood posts and flyers.
If you found a dog
- Submit the official found-pet report.
- Call FCAS or Animal Control.
- Flathead County says stray dogs must be held at FCAS for a 72-hour stray period.
- The county does not recommend keeping a stray dog at your own home.
- If the dog is sick or injured, contact Animal Control or a veterinary clinic for help.
Reclaim Fees for a Stray or Impounded Pet
If your pet has been picked up, budget for more than a single flat fee. Current FCAS guidance lists impound and overnight charges separately.
| Reclaim charge | Current amount | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Impound during open hours | $30 | Repeat impounds in the same calendar year may double the impound fee. |
| Impound after hours | $60 | Separate from overnight care charges. |
| Overnight — altered animal | $25 / night | Applies according to current reclaim guidance. |
| Overnight — unaltered animal | $35 / night | Higher than the altered-animal overnight rate. |
| Rabies vaccine, if needed | $10 | Applied when required. |
| Flathead County dog license | $45 | Applied when the dog needs the required county license. |
Surrendering a Pet to Flathead County Animal Shelter
Surrender is not a same-day walk-in service. FCAS manages intake around available space because it also must preserve room for stray dogs and Animal Control holds.
Confirm residency
FCAS accepts owner surrenders from Flathead County residents. Proof of residency is required.
Call the shelter
Contact 406-752-1310 to discuss your situation, current wait time and whether an appointment can be scheduled.
Complete the waitlist / surrender form
FCAS asks for separate forms for dogs and cats and requests accurate behavior, medical and care history.
Bring useful records
Bring proof of residency plus available veterinary records, medications and other information staff need to plan care.
Flathead County Pet Programs Beyond Adoption
One of the most useful things about FCAS is that it is not only an adoption counter. Several county programs are designed to keep animals with families or prevent future shelter intake.
Microchip identification
FCAS lists microchipping for Flathead County dogs and cats at $25.
Pet Food Pantry
Temporary pet-food assistance is available depending on current donations and inventory. Call the shelter to check availability.
No-cost feral-cat TNR
Eligible outdoor feral cats can receive spay/neuter, rabies and FVRCP vaccines, parasite prevention, microchip identification and ear tipping at no charge.
TNR age requirement
The current TNR program requires cats to be at least 4 months / 16 weeks old and arrive in a humane live trap.
Working Cat Program
Independent outdoor cats may be placed in barns, shops, warehouses or other suitable working environments.
Matchmaking / direct rehoming
FCAS also promotes direct-home-placement options when they can safely keep an animal out of the shelter.
Veterinary Care for Animals at FCAS
Flathead County has invested in medical care inside the shelter, but that should not be confused with a public emergency veterinary hospital.
Official county veterinary profile
A Flathead County profile published in December 2024 identified Dr. Meg Gordon as the shelter veterinarian and Erica Gerber as a veterinary technician.
That county profile described their work as focused on medical care for shelter animals, with spay/neuter forming a large part of the shelter’s veterinary workload.
Not a public emergency clinic
FCAS’s current help page specifically says it does not have a veterinarian on staff for emergency medical cases. For a sick or injured found animal, the county directs people toward Animal Control or a veterinary clinic.
Because the county has not published a current public veterinary appointment schedule or public exam-fee table, this page does not invent one.
Flathead County Dog License Rules & Fees
County dog licensing is tied directly to rabies vaccination, which is why the license may come up during adoption or reclaim.
Dogs over four months
Flathead County says residents must license every dog over four months old.
New residents
New Flathead County residents are instructed to obtain the county dog license within 30 days of moving into the county.
Standard lifetime license
Current standard license: $45. A version with a smart tag is listed at $70.
Animal Bites, Rabies & Quarantine in Flathead County
Rabies questions belong with the Health Department’s Rabies Control Program, not with a generic online pet-advice page.
Report bites / suspected exposure
Flathead City-County Health Department investigates potential rabies exposures involving domestic and wild animals. The communicable-disease line is 406-751-8117.
Rabies quarantine
County guidance states that dogs, cats and ferrets involved in qualifying bite incidents are monitored for a 10-day quarantine period.
Public-health emergency after hours
The Health Department publishes 406-756-2900 for public-health emergencies after hours, weekends and holidays.
Map & Arrival: Flathead County Animal Shelter
FCAS is at 225 Cemetery Road, Kalispell, MT 59901, approximately one-quarter mile west of Highway 93. Call first because normal public shelter visits are appointment based.
More Montana Shelter Help
If your animal issue happened outside Flathead County, do not use Flathead County contacts automatically. These Animal-Shelter.org guides cover other Montana areas and a broader shelter-finding workflow.
Missoula animal shelter and Animal Control guide
Useful if the pet or incident is in Missoula County rather than Flathead County.
Heart of the Valley / Bozeman shelter guide
Adoption and animal-help information for the Bozeman / Gallatin Valley area.
Billings animal shelter and control guide
Useful for Yellowstone County and City of Billings animal-service routing.
Find an animal shelter near you
Use the broader shelter guide when the correct county, city or agency is still unclear.
Official Flathead County Resources
Use the county pages below for live pet availability, forms, holiday changes and final instructions.
Flathead County Animal Shelter FAQ
Where is Flathead County Animal Shelter?
FCAS is at 225 Cemetery Road, Kalispell, MT 59901, approximately one-quarter mile west of Highway 93.
What is the Flathead County Animal Shelter phone number?
The main shelter number is 406-752-1310.
What are the shelter hours?
Current public appointment hours are Tuesday through Friday 12:00–5:00 p.m. and Saturday 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Sunday and Monday have no walk-ins. Appointments end 30 minutes before closing.
Do I need an appointment to meet an adoptable pet?
Yes. FCAS currently says adoptable pet showings are by appointment only. Call 406-752-1310 to schedule.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog?
Current dog fees are $125 for puppies 6 months and under, $100 for adult dogs and $75 for senior dogs. Flathead County residents also add the $45 lifetime dog-license fee.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat?
Current cat fees are $70 for kittens 6 months and under, $55 for adult cats and $40 for senior cats.
What number should I call for Flathead County Animal Control?
FCAS lists 406-758-5610, prompt #1, for stray animals and animal-related public-safety concerns.
How long is the stray hold for a found dog?
Flathead County says stray dogs must be held at FCAS for 72 hours.
Can I surrender a pet without an appointment?
No. Owner surrenders are by appointment and FCAS accepts surrenders from Flathead County residents with proof of residency. Intake may depend on a capacity-based waitlist.
Does FCAS offer microchips?
Yes. FCAS currently lists microchip identification for Flathead County dogs and cats at $25.
Does Flathead County have a free TNR program?
Yes. Eligible outdoor feral cats can receive no-cost spay/neuter, rabies and FVRCP vaccination, parasite prevention, microchip identification and ear tipping.
Who handles animal bites and rabies reporting?
Flathead City-County Health Department’s Rabies Control Program handles potential rabies exposures and bite reporting. The communicable-disease line is 406-751-8117.
Does the shelter operate an emergency veterinary hospital?
No. Flathead County’s current guidance says FCAS does not have a veterinarian on staff for emergency medical cases. Sick or injured found animals should be routed through Animal Control or an appropriate veterinary clinic.
Is Animal-Shelter.org the official county website?
No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent informational guide. FlatheadCounty.gov is the official source for FCAS forms, live policies and current county instructions.
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.