Knoxville Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
Knoxville Animal Shelter searches usually point to Young-Williams Animal Center, the main animal shelter and animal services organization for Knoxville and Knox County.
Knoxville Animal Shelter adoption hours, available dogs and cats, intake rules, lost-pet help, surrender appointments, animal control contacts and spay/neuter options are easier to handle when you know which Young-Williams location to use before you drive. This 2026 guide gives Knoxville, Knox County, Bearden, Fountain City, Powell, Halls, Karns, Farragut and South Knoxville residents a practical action plan for adoption visits, lost or found pets, animal services calls, owner surrender, microchipping, pet-help resources, shelter maps and official Young-Williams links.
Fast answer: Knoxville Animal Shelter quick details
The main Knoxville Animal Shelter resource is Young-Williams Animal Center at 3201 Division Street, Knoxville, TN 37919. Young-Williams Animal Village is at 6400 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Both adoption locations are listed as open 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily and closed 1–2 p.m. for animal quiet time and staff lunches.
For Animal Services, including non-emergency animal-control-related concerns, Young-Williams lists 865-407-2229. Animal Services operational hours are listed as 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday–Friday and 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m. on weekends. Animal intake is listed as Monday–Saturday, 1–5 p.m.
Official Knoxville Animal Shelter links
Use official Young-Williams pages for live adoption information, current pet listings, location details, lost/found guidance, surrender help, pet-resource support and service changes. This keeps you from relying on outdated third-party screenshots or old social posts.
Which Knoxville shelter location should you use?
A common mistake is driving to the wrong Young-Williams location. The right location depends on whether you are adopting, checking a lost pet, bringing a stray, using Animal Services or seeking owner-support help.
| Location or service | Address / contact | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Young-Williams Animal Center | 3201 Division Street, Knoxville, TN 37919 | Main shelter, lost/found pet visits, intake, Animal Services connections and adoption help. |
| Young-Williams Animal Village | 6400 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919 | Adoption location and Pet Resource Center area. Check pet listing location before driving. |
| Animal Services | 865-407-2229 | Non-emergency animal-control-related calls, field services, welfare concerns and service routing. |
| Spay/Neuter Solutions | 6400 Kingston Pike; 865-433-FIXX | Appointment-based spay/neuter services. Hours differ from adoption hours. |
Location rule: Do not assume the pet you saw online is at Division Street. Some pets are at Animal Village, some may be in foster homes and some may require a different application path.
Knoxville Animal Shelter adoption hours 2026
Young-Williams lists both adoption locations as open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed from 1–2 p.m. for animal quiet time and staff lunches. Intake and Animal Services hours are different, so match your visit to the service you need.
| Need | Listed timing | Best practical move |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption visits | 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily; closed 1–2 p.m. | Arrive outside quiet time and leave enough time to meet pets, ask questions and complete paperwork. |
| Lost/found pet intake | Monday–Saturday, 1–5 p.m. | Use Division Street side/north entrance for intake if you cannot safely hold a found pet. |
| Animal Services | 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Mon–Fri; 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m. weekends | Call 865-407-2229 for non-emergency animal-control-related help. |
| After-hours urgent issues | Emergency on-call support after hours | Use official emergency route for immediate danger, active attacks or urgent public-safety risk. |
Best visitor timing: For adoption, go earlier in the day and avoid the 1–2 p.m. closure. Adoption queues can move slowly on weekends, promotion days or high-volume days.
“Knoxville Animal Shelter near me” — what searchers usually need
People use the same search phrase for different problems. A person looking for a puppy, a person who found a stray dog, and a person with a bite report should not follow the same route.
How to adopt from Young-Williams Animal Center
Young-Williams adoption is practical, but not automatic. Online applications do not hold animals or guarantee approval. Pets may be at different locations or in foster care, and some animals may not be ready to go home immediately.
Search official adoptable pets first
Use the official dog, cat or other-pet pages. Read the pet profile, location, age, notes and foster status carefully before making a trip.
Confirm the right location and process
Dogs may be at Division Street, Animal Village or in foster care. Cats at Young-Williams Animal Center require in-person application; cats in foster homes require an online meet-and-greet application.
Visit outside quiet time
Plan around the 1–2 p.m. daily closure. Bring all decision-makers if possible and be ready to answer questions about your home, schedule, pets and lifestyle.
Ask the right match questions
Ask about behavior in the shelter, medical notes, vaccines, spay/neuter status, heartworm status for adult dogs, litterbox habits for cats, other animals, children and first-week care.
Understand pre-adoption and sleepover options
Young-Williams describes pre-adoption for some animals not ready to leave yet, using a non-refundable $25 deposit that counts toward the fee. Adoption Sleepover may be available for some adult dogs for up to three days.
Knoxville Animal Shelter adoption fees 2026
Use these Young-Williams listed fees for planning, but verify the pet’s profile and official adoption page before payment because promotions and adoption specials can change.
| Pet type | Listed adoption fee | What to ask before adopting |
|---|---|---|
| Puppies | $150 | Vaccines, crate training, chewing, expected size, socialization and future vet schedule. |
| Adult dogs | $40 | Energy level, leash behavior, heartworm test, dog introductions and first-week decompression. |
| Kittens | $100; always buy one, get one free | Age, vaccines, litter habits, kitten-safe room setup and whether adopting two is better. |
| Adult cats | $25 | Shyness, litterbox habits, indoor transition, other cats, dogs and children. |
| Adult cats over 3 years | Always free | Medical notes, stress level, long-term care and quiet-room introduction. |
| Small mammals and exotics | $10–$60 | Habitat, diet, temperature, lifespan, handling and species-specific vet care. |
| Knoxville city license | $5 for city residents with sterilized dog/cat | Confirm if you live inside city limits and whether the license charge applies. |
Before adopting in Knoxville: checklist
A strong adoption starts before the meet-and-greet. Use this checklist so you do not choose based only on a photo or emotion.
Lost and found pets at Knoxville Animal Shelter
Young-Williams says it is the designated intake facility for stray pets in the City of Knoxville and Knox County. The lost/found page also says pets cannot be identified over the phone, so owners should search online, visit Division Street, and check back repeatedly.
Lost-pet proof checklist
Knoxville Animal Control and Animal Services
Young-Williams Animal Services handles animal-control-related service routing for Knoxville and Knox County. Use Animal Services for non-emergency animal-related concerns; use emergency services for immediate danger.
| Situation | Best route | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Specific adoptable pet | Adoption pages + 865-433-YWAC | Pet name, species, listing location, foster status and your visit time. |
| Lost pet | Lost/found page + Division Street visit | Photos, microchip, license, vet records and last-seen details. |
| Found friendly stray | Friendly Finder / intake hours | Found location, photos, collar/tag details and whether you can safely hold temporarily. |
| Injured, aggressive or unsafe animal | Animal Services or emergency route | Exact location, risk level, injury level and whether people/pets are in immediate danger. |
| Dead animal pickup in City of Knoxville | City 311 route | Location, road hazard details and whether it is on public or private property. |
Safety rule: Do not approach aggressive, injured, trapped or frightened animals. Keep children and pets away, then call the correct official route.
Stray intake hours and found-animal decisions
Animal intake is listed as Monday–Saturday from 1–5 p.m. at the Division Street location. Young-Williams encourages people who find a lost pet to use owner-reunification steps first when safe, because quick neighborhood return can keep pets out of the shelter.
Surrendering a pet in Knoxville or Knox County
Young-Williams says owner-surrendered animals are accepted by appointment as space allows through the Pet Resource Center. The listed surrender fee is $50 per pet and $100 for litters, with case-by-case help if an owner cannot pay. Surrender should be a last resort, not the first step.
Information to prepare before calling
- Pet age, breed-type, weight, sex and spay/neuter status.
- Medical issues, medications, vaccine records and vet records.
- Behavior history, bite history, anxiety, separation issues or aggression details.
- Reason for surrender and what help might allow you to keep the pet.
- Photos, microchip details and any adoption or rescue history.
Pet food, microchipping and spay/neuter help
Many Knoxville residents search for the shelter because they are struggling, not because they want to give up a pet. Young-Williams has support routes that may help keep pets safely at home.
Before surgery: Ask what vaccines, rabies proof, deposits, carriers, leash rules and arrival instructions are required. A rabies tag alone may not be enough if the clinic requires a certificate.
Knoxville Shelter Action Planner
Use this quick planner before calling or visiting. It does not search live shelter records; it helps you choose the right route and collect the right details.
Common Knoxville Animal Shelter mistakes to avoid
Helpful nearby animal shelter guides
If Young-Williams is not the right place for your situation, compare nearby shelter guides and verify the correct county or city service for where the animal was found.
Map to Knoxville Animal Shelter locations
The main Young-Williams Animal Center and Animal Services location is 3201 Division Street, Knoxville, TN 37919. Young-Williams Animal Village is at 6400 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Check the pet’s listing before choosing which location to drive to.
Map is for route planning only. Verify current hours, holiday changes, pet location and service rules through Young-Williams before visiting.
Knoxville Animal Shelter FAQ
What is the main Knoxville Animal Shelter?
The main Knoxville Animal Shelter search result is usually Young-Williams Animal Center at 3201 Division Street, Knoxville, TN 37919.
What are Knoxville Animal Shelter adoption hours?
Young-Williams lists adoption locations as open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed from 1–2 p.m. for animal quiet time and staff lunches.
What is the Young-Williams Animal Center phone number?
The general Young-Williams number is 865-433-YWAC. Animal Services is listed as 865-407-2229.
Where is Young-Williams Animal Village?
Young-Williams Animal Village is at 6400 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919.
Where should I go for a lost pet in Knoxville?
Young-Williams says lost and stray animals are brought only to the Division Street location. Start with current strays online, then visit 3201 Division Street.
What are animal intake hours?
Young-Williams lists animal intake hours as Monday through Saturday from 1–5 p.m.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog?
Young-Williams lists puppies at $150 and adult dogs at $40. Verify current promotions and pet-specific details before adoption.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat?
Young-Williams lists kittens at $100 with buy-one-get-one-free, adult cats at $25, and adult cats over 3 years as always free.
Can I surrender my pet to Young-Williams?
Young-Williams accepts owner-surrendered animals by appointment as space allows through the Pet Resource Center. Listed fees are $50 per pet and $100 for litters, with case-by-case help if needed.
Does Young-Williams offer microchipping?
Young-Williams lists microchipping at $15 per pet, Monday through Friday from 2–5 p.m. by appointment.
Is Animal-Shelter.org the official Young-Williams website?
No. This is an independent guide. Use young-williams.org for live adoption availability, fees, hours, service changes and official instructions.
Final takeaway
For Knoxville Animal Shelter, start with Young-Williams Animal Center. Use Division Street for main shelter, intake and lost/found visits; check Animal Village or foster status for some adoptable pets; avoid the 1–2 p.m. daily closure; call 865-407-2229 for non-emergency Animal Services; and use the Pet Resource Center before assuming surrender is the only option.
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.