Maricopa County Animal Shelter: Adoption Hours, Fees & Lost Pets 2026
Use this action guide for Maricopa County Animal Care & Control adoption hours, West and East shelter locations, pet fees, lost dog searches, found dog intake, surrender appointments, microchips, licensing, and official contact steps.
Maricopa County Animal Shelter searches usually mean you need one answer fast: where to adopt a dog or cat, which shelter location has the pet, what time MCACC is open, how much adoption fees cost, how to find a lost dog, or what to do with a found stray. This 2026 guide puts the practical MCACC details in one place: West Valley Phoenix shelter, East Valley Mesa shelter, adoption hours, intake hours, phone number, standard fees, adjusted fee cases, lost/found pet steps, surrender rules, maps, call scripts, and the official links you should use before driving.
Maricopa County Animal Shelter Quick Details
| Item | Current official detail | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Official agency | Maricopa County Animal Care & Control, usually called MCACC | Use county pages for final hours, fees, pet listings, lost/found rules, and service instructions. |
| Main phone | 602-506-7387 | Use this for shelter questions, lost/found dog help, intake guidance, and service routing. |
| Call center | 8am–5pm | Call earlier in the day if you need staff guidance before traveling. |
| Adoption services | 11am–7pm daily | Arrive early enough to meet animals and complete paperwork. |
| Intake and other services | 12pm–6pm daily | Do not assume intake, reclaim, or other desk services follow the same flow as adoption browsing. |
| Shelter locations | West Valley in Phoenix; East Valley in Mesa; PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center in Scottsdale | Confirm the animal location before driving. A pet listed online may not be at the shelter closest to you. |
Maricopa County Animal Shelter Locations: West Valley, East Valley and PetSmart
MCACC is not a single-building shelter. The county lists a West Valley Animal Care Center in Phoenix, an East Valley Animal Care Center in Mesa, and an Everyday Adoption Center in Scottsdale. Adoption listings, lost-pet visits, and intake questions can depend on the exact location.
Maricopa County Animal Shelter Adoption Hours 2026
MCACC lists adoption services as 11am to 7pm daily. The official adoption page also says adoptions take time and recommends arriving before closing to meet dogs. Treat 7pm as the end of the service window, not the time to start your visit.
| Location | Adoption hours | Intake / other services | Smart visitor move |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Valley Animal Care Center, Phoenix | 11am–7pm daily | 12pm–6pm daily | Use for Phoenix-side adoption, lost dog checks, and west-side shelter searches. |
| East Valley Animal Care Center, Mesa | 11am–7pm daily | 12pm–6pm daily | Use for Mesa/East Valley shelter visits and lost/found dog checks. |
| PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center, Scottsdale | 11am–7pm daily | Adoptions only | Good for adoption viewing, not for intake or lost-pet shelter services. |
Holiday caution: MCACC posts special holiday hours and public closures. If you are visiting near Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve, check the official locations page first.
How to Adopt from Maricopa County Animal Care & Control
MCACC adoption starts online, but it is not a “reserve and pick up later” system. The county says to search pets online, write down the A# for animals you want to meet, and check again shortly before visiting because the shelter population changes quickly.
Search the official MCACC pet list
Use the official adoptable pet search and filter by location, pet type, age and size. Write down the A# because staff can identify the animal faster by number than by name or photo.
Confirm shelter location before driving
Check whether the pet is at West Valley, East Valley, PetSmart, foster, or another status. If the listing is unclear, call 602-506-7387 before leaving.
Bring valid ID and safe transport
MCACC asks adopters to bring a valid form of ID. Adopted animals must be transported safely inside a vehicle. Bring a carrier for cats, kittens or small pets, and a leash/harness or crate plan for dogs.
Do not bring your current pets
MCACC says personal pets are not permitted in the shelters and animal-animal meet and greets are not conducted. Do not plan your visit around bringing your dog to meet another dog inside the shelter.
Ask the questions that prevent regret
Ask about behavior notes, energy level, medical care, kennel stress, vaccines, spay/neuter, microchip, license, special placement notes, first-week care, and what to do if the adoption does not work out.
Maricopa County Animal Shelter Adoption Fees
MCACC standard adoption fees depend on pet type, size and age. The official page also lists adjusted fees for pets who have stayed longer, sponsored priority placement dogs, and veteran discounts. Promotions can change, so use this table for planning and verify the final cost on the official page or at the shelter.
| Animal category | Published standard fee | Micro-detail to confirm before payment |
|---|---|---|
| Large dogs over 25 lbs | $50 | Some large dogs may have adjusted or sponsored fees depending on length of stay or priority status. |
| Small dogs 25 lbs and under | $250 | Small dogs can move quickly; confirm location and fee before driving. |
| Senior dogs over 8 years old | $25 | Ask about senior care, medication, mobility, dental needs and vet follow-up. |
| Puppies under 6 months | $300 | Plan for training, vaccine schedule, chewing, crate setup and long-term cost. |
| Cats | $50 | Ask whether the cat is at the shelter, in foster, bonded, shy, or still adjusting. |
| Kittens under 6 months | $200 | Ask about kitten-proofing, vaccines, spay/neuter, carrier transport and gradual introductions. |
| Large dogs 90+ days / priority placement dogs | Sponsored in listed cases | Ask why the dog is priority or long-stay and what support will help the adoption succeed. |
The adoption fee page says adoption fees include spay/neuter, microchip and age-appropriate vaccinations. For dogs three months and older, it also lists rabies vaccine and county dog license/tag as part of the adoption fee.
Before You Visit MCACC: Documents and Real-World Prep
This is where most low-value shelter articles fail. A visitor does not just need the address; they need to avoid a wasted trip, wrong-location visit, missed closing cutoff, or adoption mismatch.
Lost Pets in Maricopa County: What to Do First
MCACC’s lost-pet guidance is very clear: report the lost pet, check microchip information, physically visit shelters, spread the word, keep looking, and watch for scams. If your dog may be at MCACC, speed matters because animals without identification may have a short stray-hold window.
Lost dog proof checklist
- Recent clear photos showing unique markings.
- Microchip number or microchip company record.
- Vet records, vaccine records or rabies certificate.
- County dog license or tag details, if available.
- Adoption or purchase paperwork, if available.
- Photo ID and current contact information.
- Animal A# or listing screenshot if you see a possible match online.
Found a Pet in Maricopa County: Safe Next Steps
Found-pet decisions depend on safety, species, condition, microchip, county tag and your ability to hold the animal temporarily. MCACC asks residents to report found pets and says shelters can scan found pets for free. If the animal is injured, sick, abused, aggressive, or has bitten someone, the path is different.
For found cats, MCACC says it does not impound lost or stray cats, but you can still report them through lost/found tools and help reunite the cat with the family.
Maricopa County Animal Control: What to Report and When to Call
Animal-control needs are not the same as adoption visits. Use official MCACC contact routes for loose dogs, bite questions, animal-control officer questions, found dog intake, surrender/return questions and general shelter service routing. If there is immediate danger to people or a life-threatening emergency, use local emergency services.
| Situation | Best next step | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Loose dog you cannot safely contain | Call or use official MCACC reporting route | Give location, direction of travel, condition, collar/tag details and safety risk. |
| Found dog you can hold temporarily | Scan for microchip, report found pet, check tag, and schedule intake if needed | Many pets are found close to home and may be reunited without entering shelter kennels. |
| Dog bite with broken skin | Call MCACC for instructions and use medical/emergency help if needed | Bite reports can have public-health rules and time-sensitive requirements. |
| Injured, sick or abused stray animal | Use the official injured-stray/emergency guidance | Do not risk injury by handling unsafe animals without guidance. |
| Lost cat or found stray cat | Report online, microchip check, neighborhood search and local posting | MCACC says it does not impound lost or stray cats. |
Pet Surrender, Adoption Returns and Owner Support
MCACC says county residents may surrender pets by appointment only. The county also provides resources for behavior help, medical support, pet foster/housing resources, pet food, rehoming, community cats and other support. Surrender should not be the first move if temporary help can keep the pet safely with the family.
Dog Licensing, Microchips and Low-Cost Pet Help
MCACC says dog licenses help identify and locate pets if they get lost. The county also lists microchips at East and West shelter locations during regular business hours, plus low-cost or free resources for pet behavior, medical care, housing, training, poison help, pet loss support and more.
Call Scripts for Faster Help
Clear details help shelter staff route you faster. Copy the script that matches your situation.
Official Maricopa County Animal Shelter Links
Use these official sources for final live action. This guide explains the process, but official MCACC pages control current animal availability, fees, hours, holiday changes, surrender rules and service routing.
Map to West Valley Animal Care Center, Phoenix
Use this map for route planning to 2500 S. 27th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85009. Confirm the pet or service is at the West shelter before driving.
Map to East Valley Animal Care Center, Mesa
Use this map for route planning to 1920 S Lewis, Mesa, AZ 85210. Confirm the pet or service is at the East shelter before driving.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with MCACC
Maricopa County Animal Shelter FAQ
What is the official name of Maricopa County Animal Shelter?
The official agency is Maricopa County Animal Care & Control, commonly called MCACC.
Where is the Maricopa County West Valley Animal Care Center?
The West Valley Animal Care Center is at 2500 S. 27th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85009.
Where is the Maricopa County East Valley Animal Care Center?
The East Valley Animal Care Center is at 1920 S Lewis, Mesa, AZ 85210.
What is the MCACC phone number?
The main listed phone number is 602-506-7387.
What are Maricopa County Animal Shelter adoption hours?
MCACC lists adoption services from 11am to 7pm daily at the West Valley and East Valley shelters, with PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center also listed for adoptions only.
What are MCACC intake and other service hours?
The West and East shelter pages list intakes and other services from 12pm to 6pm daily.
How much are MCACC adoption fees?
Published standard fees include $50 for large dogs over 25 pounds, $250 for small dogs 25 pounds and under, $25 for senior dogs over 8 years old, $300 for puppies under 6 months, $50 for cats and $200 for kittens under 6 months. Promotions and special cases may change final fees.
Does MCACC impound lost or stray cats?
MCACC’s lost-and-found guidance says it does not impound lost or stray cats. Cat owners should still report missing cats, update microchips, post locally and search nearby hiding places.
What should I bring to reclaim a lost pet?
Bring photo ID, proof of ownership, recent photos, vet records, microchip information, license details, a leash or carrier, and a payment method for possible fees.
Can I surrender a pet to MCACC?
MCACC says Maricopa County residents may surrender pets by appointment only. Review support resources first and use the official inquiry route before arriving.
Final Takeaway
Maricopa County Animal Shelter services are handled by MCACC through the West Valley shelter in Phoenix and the East Valley shelter in Mesa. Adoption services are listed from 11am to 7pm daily, while intake and other services are listed from 12pm to 6pm daily. Before you visit, search official pets, save the A#, confirm the location, bring ID, prepare safe transport and verify current fees. For lost dogs, report fast, update the microchip, visit shelters in person and watch for scams. For found pets or surrender questions, use MCACC’s official instructions so you do not create delays or unsafe situations.
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.