Miami Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026

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Miami pet adoption help 2026

Miami Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026

Use this Miami animal shelter guide to check adoption hours, available dogs and cats, fees, lost-and-found pets, surrender hours, animal control reporting, map directions, and what to bring before visiting the county shelter.

Miami Animal Shelter searches usually lead to Miami-Dade Animal Services, the county Pet Adoption and Protection Center in Doral. This 2026 guide covers the adoption mall hours, pet search steps, adoption fees, lost pet reports, surrender desk rules, animal control reporting, wellness services, phone numbers, map, and visitor checklist so you can solve most questions here before using the official Miami-Dade website for final live verification.

Miami-Dade Animal Services Adoption hours Lost & found pets Surrender help Map & contact
Official Pet Adoption Page Search Adoptable Pets Call 305-468-5900
1
Search pets firstWrite down 3+ animal ID numbers before visiting.
2
Check adoption hoursWeekday and weekend hours are different.
3
Bring ID + proofPhoto ID and proof of address are listed by the County.
4
Use official channelsFor lost pets, surrender, cruelty or bite reports, use Miami-Dade routes.
Duplicate intent note: If your site already has a Miami-Dade Animal Shelter page, keep this page focused on the broader “Miami animal shelter” user journey: adoption, animal control, lost/found, surrender, map and visitor planning. Do not publish two pages with the exact same title and same content.

Quick Answer: Miami animal shelter address, phone and adoption hours

The main public animal shelter for Miami-Dade County is the Pet Adoption and Protection Center at 3599 NW 79 Avenue, Doral, FL 33122. The official phone route is 311 or 305-468-5900.

Miami-Dade lists the Adoption Mall hours as Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. The shelter is closed on County holidays, and some services such as surrender, licensing, wellness clinic, spay/neuter and lost/found use different hours.

Best for adoptionSearch 24Petconnect first, write down animal IDs, then visit in person because adoptions are first-come, first-served.
Best for lost petsFile a lost/found report and visit the shelter in person when needed. Photos and breed labels can be imperfect.
Best for animal problemsUse Miami-Dade’s official report animal problems page or call 311. Use 911 only for immediate danger.

Miami Animal Shelter adoption hours 2026

For most adoption visitors, the important location is the Miami-Dade Animal Services Pet Adoption and Protection Center in Doral. The County lists Adoption Mall hours separately from surrender, licensing, wellness clinic and other service desks.

Service Official location Listed hours Before you go
Pet adoption Pet Adoption and Protection Center, 3599 NW 79 Avenue, Doral Mon–Fri 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; Sat–Sun 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Search pets online, write animal IDs, and arrive with time for paperwork and pet meetings.
Medley Shelter adoption 7401 NW 74 Street, Medley Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m.–4 p.m. Confirm the animal is located there before traveling.
Lost and found Pet Adoption and Protection Center Mon–Fri 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; Sat–Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Bring proof of ownership, photos, microchip details and license/tag records.
Surrender Pet Adoption and Protection Center, south side rear desk Mon–Sat 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; closed Sunday Bring records and ask about alternatives before surrendering.
Wellness clinic Pet Adoption and Protection Center Hours differ by service; check official page first Appointments may be required for sterilization services.
Verify Adoption Hours Check All Service Hours

How to adopt from Miami-Dade Animal Services

Miami-Dade says people age 18 or older can adopt, and virtual adoptions are no longer available. You can search pets online, but the County says you must personally visit the shelter to adopt, and adoptions are first-come, first-served.

1

Search pets online by dog, cat, age, gender or size

Start with the official pet search. Write down the animal ID numbers for at least three pets you like. Animal IDs usually begin with the letter A. This protects you if your first-choice pet has already been adopted or moved.

2

Confirm where the pet is located

Not every pet listing means the animal is ready for adoption at the main Doral facility. Some listings can involve found pets, foster status, satellite adoption centers, or animals not available that day.

3

Visit in person with the right documents

Bring a driver license or valid state picture ID, proof of current address, and a real transport plan. For dogs, bring or buy a collar and leash. For cats, bring a secure carrier.

4

Ask about medical, behavior and hold status

Ask whether the pet is already sterilized, vaccinated, microchipped, heartworm tested if applicable, behavior-tested, on medication, or subject to any hold, deposit, or return rule.

5

Complete adoption and plan the first week

A shelter pet needs decompression time. Prepare a quiet room, food plan, vet follow-up, safe introductions, and a slow routine. Do not start with dog parks, parties or too many visitors.

Miami Animal Shelter adoption fees: dogs, puppies, cats and kittens

Miami-Dade’s official adoption page lists different fees by pet type. Fees can change during special events, fee-waived campaigns or shelter capacity promotions, so confirm the final total before adoption.

Pet type Official fee commonly listed What is commonly included Question to ask
Dogs over 4 months $65 Vaccinations, de-worming, spay/neuter, microchip, heartworm test over six months, and rabies license tag for Miami-Dade residents when applicable. Ask if any medical follow-up, medication, or dog license action is still needed.
Puppies under 4 months $85 First vaccinations, de-worming, microchip and spay/neuter surgery when eligible. Ask if a refundable sterilization deposit or appointment is required.
Cats and kittens $35; two felines may be available for the same price Vaccines, FeLV/FIV-related testing where listed, de-worming, microchip, heartworm test over six months, and spay/neuter surgery when eligible. Ask about carrier requirement, testing notes, and any follow-up appointment.
Special events May be reduced or waived Varies by event and pet status. Confirm the promotion is active before relying on it.

What to bring before visiting Miami Animal Shelter

A wasted shelter trip usually happens because a visitor forgot ID, arrived near closing, brought no carrier, did not check pet availability, or did not confirm housing rules. Use this checklist before leaving home.

✓Valid driver license or state picture ID. You must be 18 or older to adopt.
✓Proof of current address, such as utility bill, lease agreement or mortgage statement.
✓Animal ID numbers for at least three dogs or cats you want to meet.
✓Collar and leash for a dog or puppy, or money to buy them at the center if available.
✓Secure carrier for cats. Do not plan to hold a cat loose in the car.
✓Payment method. Miami-Dade pages list cash, credit card, debit card, money order or cashier’s check for adoption fees.
✓Landlord or HOA pet permission if you rent or live under pet restrictions.
✓Quiet first-day home setup: food, water, safe room, bedding, leash, litter, crate or baby gate.

Lost or found pet in Miami-Dade County

If you lost a pet or found someone else’s pet, Miami-Dade says the first step is to file a report with Animal Services. The official lost-and-found route is tied to the Pet Adoption and Protection Center and staff can help search the facility.

If your pet is lost File the official report, call 311 or 305-468-5900, check 24Petconnect, update the microchip, visit in person, and bring proof of ownership.
If you found a pet Report the found pet, scan for a microchip if safe, avoid giving the pet to a stranger without proof, and use the official Miami-Dade process.

Proof of ownership to bring

  • Clear photos of you with the pet.
  • Microchip registration or license/tag record.
  • Vet records, adoption records, vaccination records or medication details.
  • Unique markings, collar description, last-known location and date missing.
Official Lost & Found Page Search Shelter Pets

Pet surrender at Miami-Dade Animal Services

Surrender is not the same as adoption or lost/found help. Miami-Dade’s surrender FAQ says the pet surrender desk is located on the south side rear of the Pet Adoption and Protection Center. Listed surrender hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Sunday.

Do not abandon a pet. If you surrender, bring the animal safely with records, medication details, vaccine history, behavior notes and honest background. Ask about alternatives first if the issue is temporary housing, food, vet cost, behavior help or family hardship.
Bring recordsVet records, vaccine history, microchip details, medications and spay/neuter information.
Tell the truthBite history, fear, dog/cat compatibility and medical issues help staff make safer placement decisions.
Ask before you goSurrender hours and rules can change during County holidays, capacity issues or emergencies.

Animal control, cruelty, bites, injured animals and urgent concerns

People often search “Miami Animal Shelter & Control” when they need more than adoption. Miami-Dade Animal Services handles animal-related services and reporting routes, but emergency situations should not wait for a website page.

Immediate danger Call 911 for active attacks, life-threatening danger, cruelty in progress, or urgent public-safety emergencies.
Non-emergency animal problems Use Miami-Dade’s report animal problems route for stray, injured, dead animals, animal cruelty concerns, bites and related reports.
General help Call 311 or 305-468-5900 for routing to Animal Services, lost/found, adoption, licensing, clinic or surrender help.
Report Animal Problems Animal Services Contact

Other Miami-Dade Animal Services programs

Miami-Dade Animal Services is more than an adoption shelter. Official pages mention pet adoptions, lost and found pets, low-cost vaccinations, spay/neuter services, dog licensing, microchip lookup, volunteer opportunities, donations, events and animal problem reporting.

VaccinesLow-cost pet care and vaccinations may be available through the wellness clinic.
Spay/neuterMiami-Dade offers low-cost spay/neuter services for eligible residents and pets.
Dog license tagsDog tags are required for dogs over four months in Miami-Dade County.
Volunteer/fosterWhen shelter population is high, fostering and volunteering can help animals leave the shelter faster.

Miami Animal Shelter map: Pet Adoption and Protection Center

The main Miami-Dade Animal Services shelter is in Doral, not downtown Miami. Use the map for driving directions, but check pet availability and service hours before leaving, especially if you are visiting for one specific animal, surrender desk, lost/found claim or clinic service.

Map is for route planning only. Final hours, closures and service rules should be verified on Miami-Dade’s official website.

Related animal shelter guides

Use these clean internal guides for nearby or similar shelter research. Each URL is used once and avoids duplicate variants.

Miami-Dade Animal Shelter Guide County-specific adoption, fees, lost pets, surrender and service details. No-Kill Animal Shelter Near Me How to understand no-kill shelter searches and verify local adoption options. Tallahassee Animal Shelter Guide Another Florida animal shelter guide with adoption-hour planning. Brevard County Animal Shelter Guide Florida county shelter guide for adoption and visitor planning.

What to do if the Miami animal shelter page does not solve your problem

The pet disappeared onlineThe pet may have been adopted, reclaimed, transferred, fostered, placed on hold, or not available for adoption. Call before driving.
You cannot find your lost pet onlineVisit in person and check similar-looking pets. Colors, breed labels, ages and photos may be wrong or delayed.
You found an injured animalDo not handle an aggressive or severely injured animal. Use official animal problem reporting or emergency help when needed.
You need low-cost vet careCheck Miami-Dade wellness, vaccination and spay/neuter pages for current hours, appointment rules and eligibility.
You rent your homeConfirm landlord, HOA, breed, size, pet deposit and insurance rules before adopting.
You need to surrenderCheck surrender hours and rules first. Bring documents and ask about alternatives before giving up your pet.

Call scripts for Miami Animal Shelter questions

Use a short script when calling 311 or 305-468-5900. Clear details help staff route your call faster.

Adoption script “Hi, I am interested in animal ID [A-number] listed online. Is this pet still available for adoption today, and is it located at the Doral Pet Adoption and Protection Center?”
Lost pet script “Hi, my [dog/cat] went missing near [street or area]. The pet is [description], has [microchip/tag/collar], and I need to file or check a lost pet report.”
Found pet script “Hi, I found a [dog/cat] near [location]. I have photos and can describe the pet. Should I bring it to the center or file a report first?”
Surrender script “Hi, I need information about surrendering a pet. Can you confirm current surrender hours, what documents to bring, and whether there are alternatives before surrender?”

Miami Animal Shelter FAQs

What is the main Miami animal shelter?

The main public shelter for Miami-Dade County is Miami-Dade Animal Services Pet Adoption and Protection Center at 3599 NW 79 Avenue, Doral, FL 33122.

What are Miami Animal Shelter adoption hours?

The Miami-Dade adoption page lists Adoption Mall hours as Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Saturday/Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shelter is closed on County holidays.

How do I search adoptable dogs and cats in Miami-Dade?

Start with 24Petconnect for Miami-Dade Animal Services. Write down animal ID numbers and visit in person because adoptions are first-come, first-served.

Can I adopt online from Miami-Dade Animal Services?

No. Miami-Dade’s adoption page says virtual adoptions are no longer available and that adoptions and adoption holds must be done in person.

How much are adoption fees at Miami-Dade Animal Services?

The official adoption page commonly lists dogs over 4 months at $65, puppies under 4 months at $85, and cats/kittens at $35. Confirm current fees and promotions before payment.

What should I bring to adopt?

Bring valid photo ID, proof of current address, a leash/collar for a dog or puppy, a carrier for cats, and a payment method. You must be 18 or older to adopt.

What should I do if I lost a pet in Miami?

File a Miami-Dade lost/found report, call 311 or 305-468-5900, check 24Petconnect, update the microchip, and visit the shelter in person if needed.

Where do I surrender a pet in Miami-Dade?

Miami-Dade’s surrender FAQ says the surrender desk is on the south side rear of the Pet Adoption and Protection Center. Listed surrender hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Sunday.

Is Miami-Dade Animal Services animal control?

Miami-Dade Animal Services provides animal-related reporting and services. For immediate public-safety danger, call 911. For non-emergency animal problems, use the County’s official animal problem reporting page or call 311.

Is this the official Miami-Dade Animal Services website?

No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent guide. Use miamidade.gov pages for final live hours, fees, adoption rules and official reporting.

Final visitor plan

For Miami animal shelter adoption in 2026, start with the official Miami-Dade pet search, write down animal IDs, verify the Adoption Mall hours, bring ID and proof of address, and plan safe transport. For lost pets, surrender, animal problems, licensing, wellness, spay/neuter or urgent concerns, use the correct Miami-Dade service page instead of guessing from a generic shelter directory.

Official Adoption Page Back to Top
USA-wide shelter helper • adoption, lost pets, found pets, surrender and animal control

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.

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Important: Shelter rules vary by city, county, agency, and animal type. Always confirm hours, intake rules, fees, appointment requirements, and proof-of-ownership rules with the official shelter or animal control agency before visiting.

Lost pet recovery checklist

Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.

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Found pet safety decision helper

Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.

Safety first: Do not approach an aggressive, injured, trapped, or traffic-endangered animal if doing so could put you or others at risk. Contact animal control, emergency services, or a qualified professional when needed.

Adoption readiness checker

This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.

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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.

Helpful reminder: Ask the shelter about pet food pantries, low-cost vet care, behavior support, temporary foster options, and safe rehoming resources before making a final decision.

Animal control contact decision helper

Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.

Emergency warning: If there is immediate danger to a person, a serious bite, traffic hazard, or active attack, contact local emergency services or animal control according to local rules.

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.

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USA-wide Shelter user intent Official-source focused

Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.

Independent shelter-help tool. Not affiliated with any animal shelter, humane society, rescue, animal control agency, city, county, state agency, veterinarian, or microchip company. Always confirm current rules, hours, fees, and requirements directly with the official organization.