Miami Dade Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026

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Miami-Dade Animal Shelter & Control Guide: Adoption Hours, Fees, Lost Pets, Surrender Help & Map

Miami-Dade Animal Services operates the county Pet Adoption and Protection Center in Doral. Use this guide for adoption hours, official phone numbers, dog and cat adoption fees, lost-and-found pet steps, surrender hours, animal concern routing, a video guide, map, and practical visit tips.

View Adoptable Pets Call 305-468-5900 Open Map
Official center Pet Adoption and Protection Center
Address 3599 NW 79 Avenue, Doral, FL 33122
Phone 311 or 305-468-5900

Quick Answer: What should you know before visiting Miami-Dade Animal Services?

Miami-Dade Animal Services is the official county animal services department for Miami-Dade County, Florida. The main Pet Adoption and Protection Center is at 3599 NW 79 Avenue, Doral, FL 33122. The official phone route is 311 or 305-468-5900. Adoption hours are commonly listed as Monday–Friday 10 AM–6:30 PM and Saturday–Sunday 10 AM–4 PM, closed County holidays.

Best first step: choose your task before driving. Adoption, surrender, lost-and-found, wellness clinic, spay/neuter, licensing, and animal problem reports do not all use the same process or hours.

Choose what you need today

This page is built for real Miami-Dade users who want to solve one clear problem fast. Use the cards below to jump to the right section.

Adopt a pet Hours, fees, what is included, and what to bring. Lost my pet Report, search, microchip lookup, and reclaim steps. Found a pet Where to report and what not to do. Surrender a pet Surrender hours, fee, alternatives, and prep list. Report a concern Stray animals, injured animals, code concerns, and emergencies. Pet services Dog tags, clinic services, spay/neuter, vaccines. Watch video Adoption/foster context before visiting. Map and parking Doral location, route planning, and arrival checklist.

Miami-Dade Animal Services quick facts

Official departmentMiami-Dade County Animal Services
Main facilityPet Adoption and Protection Center
Address3599 NW 79 Avenue, Doral, FL 33122
Phone311 or 305-468-5900
Adoption hoursMon–Fri 10 AM–6:30 PM; Sat–Sun 10 AM–4 PM
County holidaysClosed on County holidays; confirm before visiting
Source-check note: Miami-Dade pages can change because of County holidays, special adoption events, shelter capacity, storm operations, hurricane season, or emergency intake changes. Confirm on the official Miami-Dade website before driving.

Video Guide: Why Miami-Dade Animal Services needs adopters, fosters and visitors to plan ahead

This video is included because many visitors searching for Miami-Dade Animal Shelter are deciding whether to adopt, foster, volunteer, or help reduce shelter overcrowding. An official Miami-Dade video was not the clearest available result, so this section uses a directly relevant local news video about Miami-Dade Animal Services and shelter overcrowding.

How to use this video: watch it for adoption and foster context, then use the official Miami-Dade website for current pet availability, hours, fees, and shelter procedures. A video can help you understand the urgency, but official County pages are the final source for rules.

Miami-Dade Animal Shelter adoption hours and process

Miami-Dade Animal Services allows adults 18 years or older to adopt from the Pet Adoption and Protection Center. Adoption hours are generally listed as Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 6:30 PM and Saturday through Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM. Because adoption specials and holiday hours change, check the official website before visiting.

Search available pets online.
Start with the official Miami-Dade adopt-a-pet page or linked pet search tool. Write down the animal ID, name, breed mix, age, and location note.
Confirm the pet is still available.
High-interest pets can be adopted, placed on stray hold, transferred, fostered, or temporarily unavailable. Call 311 or 305-468-5900 when the visit depends on one specific pet.
Plan enough time at the shelter.
Do not arrive close to closing if you need to meet multiple pets, ask behavior questions, complete paperwork, and arrange transport.
Ask about stray hold status.
Some pets may be available through a foster-to-adopt route while a three-day stray hold is pending. You are not the official owner until the hold expires and no owner claims the pet.
Review medical and behavior notes.
Ask about vaccines, spay/neuter status, microchip, heartworm test for dogs over six months, cat testing, medications, kennel behavior, and home adjustment needs.
Bring the right transport.
Bring a leash setup for dogs and a secure carrier for cats. Plan your ride home so the pet is not loose in the car.
Official Pet Adoption Page Search Pets

Miami-Dade Animal Services adoption fees: dogs, puppies, cats and kittens

Adoption fees can change during special events, fee-waived promotions, or shelter-capacity campaigns. Use the table below as a verified planning guide, then confirm the current total before adoption day.

Pet type Official fee commonly listed What to ask before you adopt
Dogs more than 4 months old $65 Ask whether the required Miami-Dade dog license/tag is included for county residents.
Puppies under 4 months old $85 Ask about vaccine timing, spay/neuter appointment needs, and whether any refundable deposit applies.
Cats and kittens $35; adopt two felines for the same price when offered Ask about spay/neuter status, FeLV/FIV testing, microchip, vaccine timing, and carrier requirements.
Special events May be reduced or waived Check the official Miami-Dade page or social channels before relying on a promotion.
What is usually included: Miami-Dade states that adopted pets undergo basic vetting and include sterilization, vaccinations, and microchip. Dog adoption details also commonly include de-worming, heartworm test for dogs over six months, and rabies license tags for Miami-Dade County residents.

What to bring before adopting from Miami-Dade Animal Services

Valid IDBring government-issued photo identification and current contact details.
Housing permissionIf you rent, check pet rules, breed limits, weight limits, pet deposits, and landlord approval before visiting.
Household decision-makersBring adults who must agree to the adoption. A shelter pet should not be a surprise for a roommate, spouse, parent, or landlord.
Existing pet planAsk whether your current dog should meet the shelter dog. Do not assume every dog-to-dog match works.
Transport toolsBring a leash and safe vehicle plan for dogs. Bring a secure carrier for cats.
Payment methodMiami-Dade pages list payment options such as cash, credit card, debit card, money order, or cashier’s check for adoption fees. Confirm before arrival.

Lost dog or cat in Miami-Dade County: report and search fast

If your pet is missing, act the same day. Miami-Dade County says people who have lost or found a pet should file a report with Animal Services as soon as possible. The official lost-and-found route also lists 311 or 305-468-5900 for Lost and Found help.

File an official lost report.
Use Miami-Dade’s official lost-and-found report option for dogs and cats. Include photos, microchip number if known, last location, collar details, and your best contact number.
Call Lost and Found.
Call 311 or 305-468-5900. Ask whether any matching pet has been brought to the Pet Adoption and Protection Center.
Check the microchip registry.
Use the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup, then contact the chip company to update your contact information.
Search shelter listings daily.
Check 24Petconnect, Miami-Dade’s official routes, and nearby shelter/rescue listings. Descriptions can be imperfect, so check similar animals too.
Visit in person when needed.
Photos, breed labels, and colors can be wrong. A frightened or dirty pet may look different from your normal home photos.
Bring proof of ownership.
Bring vet records, license/tag records, microchip registration, adoption records, photos with you, and any other proof.
Report Lost or Found Pet AAHA Microchip Lookup
Do not wait for social media alone. Post online, but also file the official Miami-Dade report and check Animal Services directly. The official route matters most for reclaiming a pet.

Found a pet in Miami-Dade: what to do before keeping or rehoming it

If you find a stray dog or cat, Miami-Dade directs users to notify Animal Services. This gives the pet the best chance of being reunited with the owner, especially if the family is checking the official county lost-and-found system.

Report the found petUse Miami-Dade’s lost-and-found report route and include photos, location, date, and your contact information.
Scan for a microchipA shelter or veterinary clinic may be able to scan. A microchip is often the fastest path home.
Do not give away quicklyRequire proof of ownership and avoid handing the pet to a stranger based only on a vague description.
Use safe handlingIf the animal is injured, aggressive, overheated, or frightened, call the proper authority instead of risking injury.
Found-pet call script: “Hi, I found a dog/cat near [street/intersection] in Miami-Dade County. The pet is [description]. I can send photos. Should I bring the pet to the Pet Adoption and Protection Center or file a report first?”

Pet surrender at Miami-Dade Animal Services: hours, fee and alternatives

Miami-Dade’s official surrender information says the pet surrender desk is on the south side rear of the Pet Adoption and Protection Center. Surrender hours are listed as Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 3 PM, closed Sunday. The official surrender FAQ also lists a $10 surrender fee.

Surrender is serious: if you surrender your pet, you may lose control over future placement decisions. Ask Animal Services about help, alternatives, reclaim possibilities, and the impact of surrender before you proceed.
Before you goBring ID, pet records, vaccine history, medication list, behavior notes, bite history, and the honest reason for surrender.
Ask for help firstAnimal Services staff may discuss options before surrender, especially if your issue is food, housing, behavior, medical cost, or temporary hardship.
Do not abandon the petNever leave an animal outside the shelter, at a park, near a business, or in a neighborhood. Use the official surrender route.
Plan for wait timeSurrender intake can be emotional and busy. Bring water, leash/carrier, and any documents that make the process safer.
Official Pet Surrender Page

Animal control, stray animals, injured animals and urgent concerns

Miami-Dade Animal Services provides county animal services and animal-related reporting routes, but this website is only an independent guide. For active danger, do not wait for a directory page.

Immediate dangerCall 911 for life-threatening situations, active attacks, cruelty in progress, or public safety emergencies.
Animal problemsUse Miami-Dade’s official animal problem reporting page for stray animals, injured animals, dead animal pickup, code concerns, and similar issues.
Pet poisoningCall ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435. A fee may apply.
Non-emergency rule: use Miami-Dade’s official animal services reporting channels for non-emergency animal concerns. Use 911 only when there is immediate danger or a crime in progress.
Report Animal Problems

Pet services at Miami-Dade Animal Services

Miami-Dade Animal Services is not only an adoption center. Official pages also describe lost-and-found pet services, low-cost spay/neuter, vaccinations, dog tags, cat licenses, wellness clinic services, and related animal services.

Dog license tagsDogs over four months old in Miami-Dade County require a license tag. You can buy or renew through approved routes listed by the County.
Low-cost spay/neuterMiami-Dade offers low-cost spay/neuter services for county residents. Appointments may be required for sterilization.
Vaccination servicesThe wellness clinic provides low-cost pet care packages and vaccination services. Confirm hours and appointment rules.
Volunteer and fosterWhen shelter population is high, fostering and volunteering can help reduce pressure on the facility.

Miami-Dade Animal Services call scripts

Use these scripts when calling 311 or 305-468-5900. Clear information helps staff route your request faster.

Adoption script: “Hi, I’m interested in animal ID [ID number] listed online. Is the pet still available, and is it at the Doral Pet Adoption and Protection Center today?”

Lost pet script: “Hi, my [dog/cat] went missing near [location]. The pet is [description] and has [microchip/tag/collar]. I filed or need to file a lost report. Can you check if a matching pet has arrived?”

Surrender script: “Hi, I need help before surrendering my pet. The issue is [brief reason]. Are there alternatives, and what should I bring if surrender is the only option?”

Miami-Dade Animal Services map and visit planning

The main Miami-Dade Animal Services Pet Adoption and Protection Center is located at 3599 NW 79 Avenue, Doral, FL 33122. Check current hours before driving, especially during County holidays, storm-related closures, special adoption events, or hurricane-season operations.

Arrival tip: bring ID, pet records if reclaiming or surrendering, a carrier for cats, leash for dogs, water for yourself, and enough time for paperwork. Do not arrive right before closing for a complicated adoption, surrender, or lost-pet reclaim situation.

Official Miami-Dade Animal Services links

Animal Services homepageMiami-Dade Animal Services
Contact pageContact Animal Services
Adopt a petPet Adoption
Lost and foundReport Lost & Found Pets
Pet surrenderPet Surrender
Report animal problemsReport Animal Problems

Common mistakes to avoid

Checking only social mediaSocial posts help, but official lost/found reports and shelter checks matter most.
Arriving near closingAdoption, surrender, or reclaim paperwork can take time. Arrive early enough to ask questions.
Ignoring stray holdIf a pet is on a three-day hold, understand that ownership is not final until the hold expires and no owner claims the pet.
Forgetting housing rulesRenters should confirm pet permission before adopting, especially for breed, size, or deposit restrictions.
Abandoning a petUse the official surrender route. Do not leave pets outside, in parking lots, or with strangers.
Not confirming holiday hoursMiami-Dade facilities may close on County holidays or change operations during storms or emergencies.

Miami-Dade Animal Shelter FAQs

The official phone route is 311 or 305-468-5900.

The main Pet Adoption and Protection Center is located at 3599 NW 79 Avenue, Doral, FL 33122.

Adoption and shelter hours are commonly listed as Monday through Friday 10 AM to 6:30 PM and Saturday through Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM, closed County holidays.

Dogs more than four months old commonly carry a $65 adoption fee. Puppies under four months old commonly carry an $85 adoption fee. Confirm current pricing before adoption day.

Cats and kittens commonly carry a $35 adoption fee, and Miami-Dade’s adoption page states that adopters may adopt two felines for the same price when that offer applies.

Miami-Dade says adopted pets undergo basic vetting and include sterilization, vaccinations, and microchip. Pet-specific items can vary, so ask staff what applies to the animal you are adopting.

File an official lost report, call 311 or 305-468-5900, check microchip registration, search shelter listings daily, and visit in person if needed.

Miami-Dade explains that foster-to-adopt may allow someone to care for a pet during a three-day hold, but the person is not the official owner until the hold expires and no owner claims the pet.

Pet surrender hours are listed as Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 3 PM, closed Sunday. Confirm before going.

Miami-Dade’s official surrender FAQ lists a $10 surrender fee. Confirm current requirements before visiting.

Miami-Dade has official routes for reporting animal problems such as stray animals, injured animals, dead animal pickup, and animal-related code violations. Call 911 for immediate danger.

No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent directory guide. The official website is miamidade.gov.

Emergency routing and independent-site disclaimer

Life-threatening or in-progress cruelty: call 911. Pet poisoning: call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435; a fee may apply. Crisis for the handler or owner: call or text 988. For urgent wildlife or emergency animal help, use a qualified emergency veterinarian, municipal authority, or Animal Help Now where appropriate.

Animal-Shelter.org is an independent animal shelter and animal control directory. We are not Miami-Dade Animal Services, not animal control, not an emergency dispatcher, not a shelter, not a humane society, not an SPCA, not a veterinarian, not a wildlife rehabilitator, not a microchip registry, not a pet poison hotline, not police, not a federal regulator, and not an attorney. Always confirm current hours, fees, policies, animal availability, and emergency instructions with the official Miami-Dade County website.

Final summary

For Miami-Dade Animal Services, start with the official Miami-Dade adoption or lost-and-found page, call 311 or 305-468-5900 when your situation is time-sensitive, and confirm current hours before driving to the Doral Pet Adoption and Protection Center. If your pet is missing, report it immediately and check official shelter listings daily.

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.

Lost Pet PlanSearch, microchip, shelter checks, flyers
Found Pet HelpSafety, scanning, reporting, holding
Adoption PlannerReadiness, questions, supplies, budget
Visit ChecklistDocuments, call script, official links

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Select your situation and location. The tool will create a general action plan, search links, call questions, and a copyable checklist.

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.

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.

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.