Memphis Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
A practical Memphis Animal Services guide for adoption hours, dogs, cats, fees, lost-pet reclaim, found pets, animal control, owner support, microchips, map and official MAS links.
Memphis Animal Services at 2350 Appling City Cove is the City of Memphis open-intake animal shelter for pet adoption, lost and found pets, reclaim help, animal control requests, microchipping, fostering, volunteering and pet-retention support. This 2026 guide gives you the key hours, address, phone number, adoption fees, payment rules, what adoption includes, lost-pet proof checklist, found-pet steps, animal-control phone routing, owner-help options and map in one place, so the official MAS website is mainly needed for live pet availability, final applications, current holiday closures and same-day shelter notices.
Memphis Animal Services Quick Details
Memphis Animal Services is the main City of Memphis animal shelter and public animal-care resource. It helps with adoptions, reclaims, rescues, lost and found pets, animal-control dispatch, owner support, community pet help, microchipping, fostering, volunteering and donation support.
Memphis Animal Shelter Adoption and Reclaim Hours
Memphis Animal Services lists adoption, reclaim and rescue hours Tuesday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. MAS FAQ guidance also says Monday reclaim is by appointment only, so do not plan a normal walk-in adoption visit on Monday.
| Service / day | Official listed timing | Practical visitor advice |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday–Friday | 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. | Best weekday window for adoption, reclaim and rescue visits. Check pet availability before leaving. |
| Saturday–Sunday | 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. | Weekend hours are shorter and can be busy. Arrive with pet IDs or backup adoption choices. |
| Monday | Reclaim by appointment only | Call first if you believe your pet is at MAS. Do not assume a normal public adoption visit. |
| Holiday closures | Posted on MAS hours page and social channels | Check official updates before visiting near holidays, severe weather or city closures. |
Memphis Animal Services Adoption Fees
MAS publishes regular adoption fee categories for dogs, cats and other animals. Adoption fees include key starter care, but you should still budget for food, housing supplies, routine vet care, training, flea prevention, heartworm prevention and emergency savings after adoption.
| Animal type | Published fee | What to confirm before adopting |
|---|---|---|
| Adult dog | $50 | Ask about energy, behavior notes, heartworm status, leash needs and transition plan. |
| Puppy under 6 months | $80 | Plan for training, vaccines, chewing, crate setup and long-term size. |
| Small breed dog under 25 lbs, 6+ months | $80 | Small dogs may receive high interest; check live status before visiting. |
| Adult cat | $50 | Ask about personality, litter habits, medical notes and carrier needs. |
| Kitten under 6 months | $80 | Kittens need safe setup, supplies, patience and follow-up vet planning. |
| Horse | $250 | Ask about experience, housing, transport and care requirements. |
| Large bird | $40 | Confirm cage, diet, handling and noise needs. |
| Pig or goat | $30 | Check local rules, space, fencing, transport and vet care. |
| Rabbit, ferret or small bird | $20 | Prepare species-specific housing and diet before pickup. |
| Hamster, guinea pig, gerbil, snake or lizard | $10 | Confirm habitat, heat, bedding, diet and handling needs. |
| Chicken or rat | $5 | Check city rules and proper setup before adoption. |
MAS states adopted pets are already spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Dogs are heartworm tested. Dogs also receive a new collar and leash, and dogs and cats receive engravable ID tags. MAS accepts credit/debit cards and says the card name should match your ID; no checks or cash.
How to Adopt from Memphis Animal Services
No appointment is needed to meet pets at the shelter during public adoption hours, but foster pets use a different process. If a pet is listed in foster care, MAS says to submit the foster pet application so the foster family can help coordinate a meet-and-greet.
Search official pet listings first
Start with the official MAS adoption page, dogs page, cats page or other pets page. Save the animal name, ID, photo and location details before traveling.
Check whether the pet is at the shelter or in foster
Pets housed at MAS can usually be visited during open adoption hours. Foster pets require the application/contact process before a meeting can be arranged.
Bring valid government-issued photo ID
MAS says adopters need a valid government-issued photo ID, such as driver’s license, state ID or passport. Payment card name should match your ID.
Ask fit-based questions
Ask about behavior, medical notes, vaccines, microchip, heartworm status for dogs, energy level, children, other pets, leash skills, crate needs and first-week routine.
Plan the first 72 hours at home
Keep the first days quiet. Avoid dog parks, large gatherings and fast introductions. Set up food, water, resting area, litter box or crate, and schedule a vet appointment.
Before You Visit MAS: Practical Checklist
Lost Pets and Reclaim at Memphis Animal Services
If your pet is missing, MAS says to visit the shelter as soon as possible and check the found-pets list. By law, MAS says stray animals are held for 72 hours before they may be placed for adoption, transferred, sent to rescue, moved to foster or handled under other shelter outcomes. Do not rely only on one online photo; visit and check repeatedly.
If You Found a Pet in Memphis
MAS explains that many lost or stray animals are loved family pets and are often found close to home. When it is safe, the fastest reunions often happen before a shelter trip: check tags, alert neighbors, walk the area, scan for a microchip and post a clear found-pet report.
Memphis Animal Control: Who to Call
Memphis Animal Services says animal-control calls are dispatched through the Memphis Police Department system. MAS responds to animal-control requests within the City of Memphis only. If you are outside city limits, use the right local agency, such as Shelby County Rabies Control, Bartlett, Germantown or Collierville animal services.
| Situation | Who to contact | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger to a person | 911 | Use emergency services when human safety is in danger. |
| Dog bite, cruelty, animal needing rescue, public safety threat | 901-545-COPS | Give the exact address and describe the concern clearly. |
| Owned dog running loose and you know the home | 901-545-COPS | Tell the dispatcher where the dog lives so officers can try to return it home. |
| Barking dog complaint | 901-545-COPS | MAS says it does not respond to barking complaints, but the same non-emergency police number is used. |
| Healthy loose cats | Use community cat guidance | MAS says cats have the legal right to roam in Memphis and it does not respond unless sick, injured, in danger, cruelty or neglect is involved. |
| Wildlife concern | TWRA or private wildlife company | MAS is only legally authorized to provide humane euthanasia for sick or injured wildlife. |
Owner Help, Pet Food Pantry and Surrender Alternatives
If you are struggling to keep your pet, start with the MAS pet resource path before surrender. MAS says its goal is to help pets stay with families whenever possible. Support may include navigation, pet food pantry assistance when donations allow, and connection to available community resources.
Microchipping at Memphis Animal Services
MAS offers $5 microchips with registration every day during public hours, with no appointment needed. Microchips do not track pets by GPS, but they provide a permanent ID number that shelters and vets can scan when a lost pet is found.
Common Mistakes Memphis Visitors Should Avoid
Memphis Animal Shelter Visit Planner
Use this quick planner before you call, visit or search online. It does not search live shelter records; it gives you the right preparation path.
Foster, Volunteer, Rescue Partner and Donate
MAS describes itself as more than a shelter: it uses adoption, foster homes, volunteers, rescue partnerships, education and pet-retention support to keep pets safe and families together. If you cannot adopt, fostering, volunteering or donating through official MAS channels can still help.
Official Memphis Animal Services Links
Use these official resources for live pet listings, adoption fees, current hours, lost-pet reports, found-pet steps, animal-control routing, microchips, pet-resource help and volunteer/donation information.
Source Verification and Accuracy Note
This Animal-Shelter.org page is an independent guide. It was built to help readers understand Memphis Animal Services adoption hours, adoption fees, accepted payment, included adoption care, lost-pet reclaim process, found-pet actions, animal-control phone routing, microchipping and owner-support resources before using official MAS pages.
Official details can change because of shelter capacity, staffing, holidays, adoption events, policy updates, foster placement, animal health needs or city emergency operations. Always confirm same-day facts through Memphis Animal Services before visiting.
Map to Memphis Animal Services
Use this map for directions to 2350 Appling City Cove, Memphis, TN 38133. Confirm current public hours, pet availability, foster status, holiday closures and emergency routing before traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Memphis Animal Services located?
Memphis Animal Services is located at 2350 Appling City Cove, Memphis, TN 38133.
What is the Memphis Animal Services phone number?
The main shelter phone number is 901-636-1416. For urgent animal-control dispatch issues, MAS directs residents to 901-545-COPS, and for human safety emergencies, call 911.
What are Memphis Animal Shelter adoption hours?
MAS lists adoption, reclaim and rescue hours Tuesday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday reclaim is by appointment only.
Do I need an appointment to adopt from MAS?
No appointment is needed to meet pets at the shelter during open adoption hours. Foster pets use a separate application/contact process.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog from Memphis Animal Services?
Regular MAS adoption fees list adult dogs at $50, puppies under 6 months at $80, and small breed dogs under 25 pounds at 6 months or older at $80.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat from MAS?
Regular MAS adoption fees list adult cats at $50 and kittens under 6 months at $80.
What is included with an MAS adoption?
MAS says adopted pets are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Dogs are heartworm tested. Dogs also receive a collar and leash, and dogs and cats receive engravable ID tags.
What payment does Memphis Animal Services accept?
MAS says it accepts credit/debit cards and does not accept checks or cash for adoption payment. The card name should match your ID.
What should I do if I lost my pet in Memphis?
Visit MAS quickly, check the found-pets list, write down the animal ID number if you see a possible match, and bring photo ID plus proof of ownership such as photos, vet records, vaccine records or microchip information.
Does MAS pick up loose cats?
MAS says cats have the legal right to roam in Memphis and it does not respond to loose-cat complaints unless the cat is sick, injured, in immediate danger or involved in cruelty or neglect.
Final Takeaway
Memphis Animal Services is the City of Memphis animal shelter and animal-control resource for adoptions, reclaims, lost and found pets, emergency animal concerns, owner-support resources, microchipping, fostering and volunteering. The most important details are the 2350 Appling City Cove address, 901-636-1416 phone number, Tuesday–Friday 1–6 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday 12–4 p.m. adoption/reclaim hours, credit/debit payment rule, 72-hour stray hold warning, and the 901-545-COPS route for urgent animal-control concerns.
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.