Madison County Animal Shelter, Adoption & Pets 2026
A practical Madison County KY Animal Shelter guide for adoption fees, hours, lost pets, reclaim fees, surrender appointments, licensing, microchips, animal control, map directions and official county links.
Madison County Animal Shelter in Berea, Kentucky is the county resource many residents need for adoptable dogs and cats, lost-pet recovery, pet reclaim, animal control questions, surrender appointments, microchipping, annual licensing and shelter fee checks. This 2026 guide gives you the useful details in one place before you drive to 1386 Richmond Rd N: current public business hours, adoption costs, what is included with adoption, how to complete the application, what proof to bring for a lost pet, surrender limits, community-cat cautions, and the official pages you should use for the final live step.
Madison County Animal Shelter Quick Details
Use these quick facts first if you need the shelter address, phone number, business hours, adoption fees or the right official page.
Madison County Shelter Action Planner
Choose your situation. This tool does not search the live shelter database, but it points you to the correct next step so you avoid the wrong office, wrong fee, or wrong form.
What Madison County Animal Shelter Does
Madison County Animal Care & Control operates the county shelter and handles public animal-service duties. The department’s work includes enforcing animal welfare laws, investigating cruelty and neglect complaints, quarantine when required by law, public education, and removing stray animals from roads or public areas where they may create a safety risk.
Madison County Animal Shelter Hours and Best Time to Visit
Madison County lists Animal Care & Control business hours as Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Avoid arriving close to closing for adoption, reclaim, surrender or animal-control paperwork because staff may need time to verify documents, review fees, inspect records, answer questions and complete forms.
| Visit reason | Best timing | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption | Earlier in business hours | Adoptable animal screenshot, application, ID, payment method, carrier/leash and household questions. |
| Lost pet reclaim | As soon as possible | Photos, vet records, microchip number, license information, rabies proof and valid ID. |
| Owner surrender | Call first during business hours | Appointment confirmation, pet records, honest behavior/medical details and fee expectation. |
| Licensing or microchip | Business hours after confirming fee/process | Owner information, pet details, license/microchip status and payment method. |
| Animal control issue | Call for instructions | Location, animal description, safety concern, photos if safe and your contact details. |
Madison County Animal Shelter Adoption Fees
The county adoption and shelter fee pages list dog/puppy adoption at $108 plus tax and cat/kitten adoption at $84 plus tax. The official pages say adoption packages include vaccination-related items, rabies voucher, microchip implantation and spay/neuter.
| Fee type | Published amount | Included / important note |
|---|---|---|
| Dog / puppy adoption | $108 plus tax | Partial vaccination items, rabies voucher, microchip implantation and spay/neuter. |
| Cat / kitten adoption | $84 plus tax | Partial vaccination items, rabies voucher, microchip implantation and spay/neuter. |
| Rabies voucher | $15 | Listed under administered vaccine / shelter fee items. |
| DAPPv / HCP vaccine | $10 | County fee page lists this vaccine charge. |
| Flea treatment | $10 | May apply depending on shelter service situation. |
| Dewormer | $5 | Listed as an administered treatment fee. |
| Microchip / license | $25 | Madison County states dogs and cats must be microchipped or licensed annually. |
How to Adopt from Madison County Animal Shelter
Madison County says adoptable animals are shown online and that adopters must complete the required adoption form. Do not visit only because you saw a pet photo; check live availability and prepare the application route first.
View adoptable animals online
Use the official adoptable animal page. Check animal name, ID, photo, age, sex, notes and availability. Listings can change quickly.
Complete the adoption form
Madison County provides an online adoption application. Completing it before arrival can make the process smoother.
Prepare match questions
Ask about behavior, medical notes, energy, children, other animals, housing fit, first-week adjustment and what is included with the adoption.
Bring safe transport
Use a carrier for cats/kittens and a leash, collar, harness or crate plan for dogs and puppies. Do not assume the shelter provides transport gear.
Confirm final fee before payment
Ask whether tax, license, microchip, vaccine, rabies voucher or other shelter-service fees apply to your specific adoption.
Dog and Puppy Adoption Notes
Dog and puppy adoption is listed at $108 plus tax. The county page lists DAPPv, Bordetella, flea treatment, dewormer, rabies voucher, microchip implantation and spay/neuter as part of the dog/puppy adoption package.
Cat and Kitten Adoption Notes
Cat and kitten adoption is listed at $84 plus tax. The county page lists HCP, flea treatment, dewormer, rabies voucher, microchip implantation and spay/neuter as part of the cat/kitten adoption package.
Lost Pets and Reclaim Fees in Madison County
If your pet is missing, move fast. Madison County’s lost-pet resources connect users with Petco Love Lost and found-pet steps. Reclaim fees increase by prior offense count and vaccine/service charges may also appear on the bill.
| Reclaim fee | Published amount | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| 1st offense | $25 | Additional vaccine or service charges may apply. |
| 2nd offense | $50 | Repeat pickup gets more expensive. |
| 3rd offense | $75 | Bring strong ownership proof. |
| 4th offense | $100 | Expect staff to review records carefully. |
| 5+ offenses | $200 | Highest listed repeated impound fee. |
Owner Surrender Rules and Fees
Madison County says owner-surrender dogs and cats are accepted by appointment only and only as space allows. The shelter also notes that it does not intake community or stray cats through owner surrender, and cat surrenders must be owner-surrendered, friendly, indoor and litterbox-trained cats.
| Surrender type | Published fee | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Unaltered / intact female | $125 | Appointment required and space-based. |
| Unaltered / intact male | $85 | Appointment required and space-based. |
| Spayed / neutered | $40 | Appointment required and space-based. |
| Additional animal after first | $5 additional | County notes extra fee for every animal after first one. |
Madison County Pet Licensing and Microchipping
Madison County states that effective July 1, 2025, dogs and cats in the county must be microchipped or licensed annually for $25. Microchipping provides permanent identification and does not require annual renewal. The shelter offers microchipping for $25, and animals leaving the shelter are already microchipped. Failure to comply is listed as a $50 fine.
Stray Animals, Community Cats, and Animal Control
Madison County Animal Care & Control handles animal welfare enforcement and public-safety animal issues. If you find a stray, do not put yourself at risk. For aggressive animals, bite risk, traffic danger, cruelty in progress or urgent public-safety issues, use the appropriate emergency or law-enforcement route.
What to Bring Before Visiting Madison County Animal Shelter
Common Mistakes Visitors Should Avoid
Official Links for Madison County Animal Shelter
Use official Madison County pages for the final live step. Third-party guides can help you prepare, but official pages should decide current hours, fees, available animals, surrender capacity and application requirements.
Map to Madison County Animal Shelter
Use this map for directions to 1386 Richmond Rd N, Berea, KY 40403. Call first if you are visiting for one specific animal, surrender appointment, reclaim, animal-control question or fee-sensitive service.
Map is for planning only. Confirm current hours, fees, pet availability and appointment rules on official Madison County pages.
Video: A Look Inside Madison County Animal Shelter
This video can help visitors understand the shelter environment before calling, adopting, volunteering or planning a visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Madison County Animal Shelter located?
Madison County Animal Shelter is listed at 1386 Richmond Rd N, Berea, KY 40403.
What is the phone number for Madison County Animal Shelter?
The shelter phone number is 859-624-4744.
What are Madison County Animal Care & Control business hours?
Madison County lists business hours as Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog or puppy?
The published dog and puppy adoption fee is $108 plus tax. The package lists partial vaccination items, rabies voucher, microchip implantation and spay/neuter.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat or kitten?
The published cat and kitten adoption fee is $84 plus tax. The package lists partial vaccination items, rabies voucher, microchip implantation and spay/neuter.
Do I need an adoption application?
Yes. Madison County says adopters must complete the required form and provides an online adoption application route.
Are owner surrenders accepted?
Yes, but owner-surrender dogs and cats are accepted by appointment only and only as space allows. Call during business hours before bringing an animal.
Does Madison County Animal Shelter accept community or stray cats?
Madison County says it does not intake community or stray cats through surrender. Cat surrenders must be owner-surrendered, friendly, indoor and litterbox-trained cats.
What are reclaim fees for lost pets?
Reclaim impound fees start at $25 for a first offense and increase to $50, $75, $100 and $200 for fifth or more offenses. Additional service or vaccine charges may apply.
Do Madison County pets need a license or microchip?
Yes. Madison County states dogs and cats must be microchipped or licensed annually for $25, with a listed $50 failure-to-license fine.
Final Takeaway
Madison County Animal Shelter in Berea is the key county resource for adoption, lost pets, pet reclaim, animal control, licensing, microchipping and surrender guidance. For the strongest visit plan, check adoptable animals online, complete the required adoption form, call 859-624-4744 before urgent trips, bring the right documents, and use official Madison County pages for current fees and rules.
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.