Newton County Animal Shelter: Adoption, Pets & Hours 2026
Looking for a dog or cat to adopt in Covington? Searching for a missing pet? Or trying to find the right person to call about an animal in danger? Newton County Animal Services operates the county shelter at 210 Lower River Road, Covington, GA 30014.
The same county department handles animal sheltering and animal-control field services, but the public kennel hours are different from officer hours. Here is what you need to know before making the trip.
Quick answer: Newton County Animal Shelter in Georgia is located at 210 Lower River Road in Covington. Call 770-786-9514 for shelter and routine animal-control questions. Adoption visiting hours are Monday–Friday 11 AM–4:30 PM and Saturday 10 AM–1 PM. Owner surrender is appointment-only, not an ordinary walk-in service.
This independent guide concerns Newton County, Georgia. Newton Counties in other U.S. states have separate shelters, policies and emergency contacts.
Newton County Animal Shelter Hours
The county lists separate shelter/kennel and field-service schedules. Visit during the kennel window for animal viewing. If your question involves an officer responding to an incident, use the field-service contact instead.
| Service | Official listed hours | Visitor guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Shelter / kennel | Monday–Friday, 11 AM–4:30 PM | Public animal-viewing window. |
| Saturday kennels | 10 AM–1 PM | Shorter visit window; allow time for adoption paperwork. |
| Animal Control field service | Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM | Routine officer operations, not public kennel visiting hours. |
| Sunday / county holidays | No regular public kennel hours listed | Do not assume walk-in access. After-hours field response is restricted to qualifying emergencies. |
How to Adopt a Pet From Newton County Animal Shelter
A successful adoption begins before you reach the kennel. Newton County asks adopters to be at least 18, provide verifiable identification, sign a binding adoption agreement, and accept responsibility for the pet’s long-term care.
Find animals currently available
Open the county’s official Adopt A Pet page. Use its “Newton County’s animals on Adopt a Pet” link to see listed dogs, cats and other animals. Note the pet’s identifying information.
Check whether the animal is ready
Lost and impounded animals generally must complete the county’s three-business-day stray hold before adoption. Owner-surrendered animals may be available sooner. Ask staff about medical or legal holds.
Call the shelter
Call 770-786-9514 with the animal’s name or ID. Ask if it is available, whether any appointment or application is needed, the current fee, and whether same-day pickup is possible.
Visit with identification
Bring verifiable ID and allow time to speak with staff. Ask about the pet’s temperament, medical history, size, behavior around other animals and what type of home would be suitable.
Review and sign the adoption agreement
Understand the spay/neuter requirement and any designated completion date. Confirm that you know which vaccinations and treatments are included and what your responsibility will be after adoption.
Prepare for the journey home
Bring a secure carrier for a cat, or an appropriate leash and restraint for a dog. Prepare a quiet space, food, water and a veterinary follow-up plan before introducing your new pet to the household.
Newton County Animal Shelter Adoption Fees in 2026
The county’s official adoption page identifies standard prices and a summer reduction ending September 14. The normal published rates below are the safest October planning reference; they are not a guarantee that a new promotion or policy change has not occurred.
Normal published adoption fee. A $50 summer special was listed through September 14 and should not be treated as active afterward without confirmation.
Normal published adoption fee. The county listed a $40 summer special through September 14.
Published fee for small mammals, reptiles and fowl. Ask what species are currently available and what special care is needed.
What comes with adoption?
Dogs
The county lists sterilization, a microchip with lifetime registration, DA2PP vaccination and rabies vaccination for qualifying age-eligible animals.
Cats
The county lists sterilization, a microchip with lifetime registration, FVRCP vaccination and rabies vaccination for qualifying age-eligible animals.
Newton County’s FAQ also lists flea treatment, age-appropriate vaccinations and a free health check with participating veterinarians among adoption benefits. Verify the individual animal’s medical record before checkout.
Available Dogs, Cats and Other Pets in Covington
The county primarily places dogs and cats, but its official adoption page also notes that other animals—sometimes including reptiles and farm animals—may be available. The live gallery is the appropriate source for current pets; this guide does not invent pet profiles or guarantee availability.
Adopt a dog
Ask about exercise, leash skills, behavior, size, age, medical notes and household fit. A calm introduction is more valuable than choosing from a photo alone.
Adopt a cat
Ask about socialization, litter habits, medical history and whether the cat prefers a quieter home. Take a secure carrier.
Small pets and livestock
Confirm species, housing, fencing, transport, feeding and veterinary requirements before committing.
Lost or Found a Pet in Newton County?
When an animal is missing, the first hours can feel overwhelming. Newton County recommends checking the shelter in person daily rather than relying only on online posts. The holding period is short enough that acting promptly matters.
If your dog or cat is missing
- Call 770-786-9514 and describe the animal and last-seen location.
- Visit the shelter at 210 Lower River Road during public hours.
- Review the county’s Adopt A Pet link for recently listed animals.
- Bring recent photos, microchip details, veterinary records and ownership evidence.
- Keep checking; not every intake or newly found pet will immediately appear online.
If you found an animal
- Do not approach or restrain an aggressive or badly injured animal if doing so is unsafe.
- Record the exact location, time, physical description and any collar or identification.
- Contact Newton County Animal Services for the correct stray-animal procedure.
- If the situation involves an active attack or serious immediate danger, use the proper emergency route.
- Do not abandon the animal outside a closed facility.
Reclaiming Your Pet: Documents and Fees
If the shelter confirms that your pet is there, the next task is proving ownership and completing reclaim paperwork. Newton County requires owners to reclaim in person; the county says payment cannot be taken over the telephone.
| Charge | Published amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Impound | $35 | Base reclaim impound charge for dogs and cats. |
| Microchip | $20 | If the animal is not already microchipped. |
| Rabies vaccination | $15 | If proof of a current rabies vaccination is unavailable. |
| Boarding | $10 per day | County FAQ says this may apply after the owner knows the pet is at the shelter but does not reclaim promptly. |
| Livestock reclaim | $100, plus applicable boarding | County lists $10 per day livestock boarding. |
The county’s example totals are $55 with proof of current rabies vaccination and $70 without it, where the microchip charge is applicable. Repeated impounds can double certain fees and may result in citations.
Newton County Animal Control: What Officers Handle
Newton County Animal Services is a county-operated agency, not merely an adoption center. Its officers also investigate or respond to animal-related field and safety concerns.
Strays and unrestrained dogs
Routine calls include impoundment of roaming dogs and related enforcement under county rules.
Animal cruelty or neglect
Officers investigate suspected cruelty, abandonment and neglect. Give the location, facts and any available evidence.
Dangerous animal reports
Vicious-animal complaints, dangerous dog matters and animal bites fall within the department’s listed duties.
Injured animals
Field services include injured-animal rescue. Do not create additional danger by approaching an animal in traffic.
Nuisance calls
Animal noise complaints and related ordinance questions are part of routine field operations.
Loose livestock
Officers respond to livestock loose on roadways, where animals may present a traffic hazard.
The official county page limits after-hours, weekend and holiday field response to qualifying emergency situations such as unattended injured companion animals, aggressive animals running at large or animals that have bitten a person.
Emergency & Important Newton County Contacts
These are distinct services. The county’s shelter number is not automatically an emergency number, and the Health Department’s bite-reporting line is not a substitute for medical care.
Routine shelter and Animal Control inquiries
Official Newton County emergency contact; also listed by Newton County Fire as non-emergency dispatch
Threat to life, serious active public-safety danger or emergency requiring immediate responders
Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM, as published in the district rabies guidance
Official published after-hours/weekend epidemiology contact for the district
Wash the wound with soap and water, seek prompt medical advice, notify Newton County Animal Control and report the exposure to GNR Public Health. The district health guidance identifies after-hours public-health reporting separately from regular weekday reporting.
Read the official GNR Health rabies and animal-bite instructions (PDF).
Owner Surrender at Newton County Animal Shelter
Rehoming a pet is sometimes unavoidable because of housing, illness, finances or family circumstances. Newton County asks owners to consider rehoming options first. The shelter operates with limited space, and an appointment is required.
Surrender window
Monday–Thursday, 1 PM–3 PM, by appointment only.
Owner surrender is limited to Newton County residents. The county explicitly says not to arrive without an appointment, and availability depends on shelter capacity.
Before requesting intake
Collect veterinary records and accurate information about your pet’s behavior, medical conditions and compatibility with other animals or children. Ask whether an appointment can be offered and what paperwork is required.
Read the official surrender rules
Start with the Newton County Owner Surrenders page. Pay attention to residency restrictions, appointment rules and capacity limitations.
Explore rehoming alternatives
Prepare a clear photo and an accurate, kind description of your pet. Consider responsible direct rehoming and reputable rescue assistance before requesting a shelter intake place.
Request an appointment
Contact the county shelter at 770-786-9514. Explain your residence, animal details and urgency. Do not arrive with a pet before staff confirm an appointment.
Veterinary Care, Microchips and Spay/Neuter
Newton County says it has an in-house surgical suite for adopted animals, coordinates with licensed rescues, implants microchips and provides adoption-related veterinary care. That does not mean the shelter operates a public veterinary hospital for all pet owners.
Spay or neuter
Dogs and cats adopted from the shelter must be sterilized under the requirements of the adoption agreement and Georgia law. Confirm whether surgery is complete or scheduled.
Microchipping
Microchips are included in normal dog and cat adoption packages. Ask staff how the registration is completed and which owner details must be kept current.
Vaccinations and follow-up
Adoption packages contain age-appropriate vaccinations. Newton County also lists a health check with participating veterinarians as an adoption benefit.
The official county shelter pages reviewed for this guide do not identify a public veterinary appointment roster or a general public exam fee. No doctor name, veterinary hospital identity, clinic schedule or consultation fee has been invented for this article.
Useful Newton County Animal Rules
These county-level rules are relevant to everyday animal ownership, not just shelter visitors.
Rabies vaccination
The county Animal Services FAQ says dogs and cats older than four months must have current rabies vaccinations.
Tethering
Newton County’s FAQ says animals cannot be tethered unless directly attended by their owner.
For the exact legally controlling wording, consult the official Newton County animal-control ordinance information rather than relying on a short summary alone.
What to Bring to the Covington Shelter
Adoption visit
- Verifiable identification; adopters must be at least 18
- The pet’s name or identification number
- Questions about health, behavior and care
- Safe carrier, leash or other transport equipment
- Confirmation of applicable fee and pickup timing
Lost-pet reclaim
- Identification and proof of ownership
- Photos, microchip or veterinary paperwork
- Current rabies vaccination certificate if available
- Applicable impound and treatment fees
- A safe transport plan for your animal
Newton County Animal Shelter Map and Directions
The shelter is located at 210 Lower River Road, Covington, GA 30014. Check the kennel schedule before visiting. The county’s separate government headquarters address is not the animal shelter address.
Official Newton County Animal Shelter Resources
These county resources are the primary references for this guide. Use them to check live animal status, make arrangements and read policy details—not because the main article leaves the basic information unanswered.
Related Animal Shelter Guides
Animal-Shelter.org also has a general guide to finding shelters and adoption help. If your pet or adoption search involves another jurisdiction, see the separate guides for Gwinnett County Animal Welfare, DeKalb County Animal Services, or Fulton County Animal Services. Those agencies have different locations, contacts and procedures; their emergency numbers do not apply automatically to Newton County.
Newton County Animal Shelter: Top 10 FAQs
1. Where is Newton County Animal Shelter in Georgia?
Newton County Animal Services is at 210 Lower River Road, Covington, GA 30014.
2. What is the Newton County Animal Shelter phone number?
The official main shelter and routine Animal Services number is 770-786-9514.
3. What are Newton County Animal Shelter adoption hours?
Public kennel hours are Monday–Friday 11 AM–4:30 PM and Saturday 10 AM–1 PM. Normal Sunday kennel hours are not listed.
4. How much does it cost to adopt a dog or cat?
The county lists normal fees of $100 for dogs and puppies and $75 for cats and kittens. A lower summer special ending September 14 should not be assumed active afterward.
5. What age must I be to adopt?
Adopters must be at least 18, provide verifiable identification and sign the county adoption agreement.
6. How long are stray animals held?
Newton County generally holds impounded stray animals for three business days, excluding closed days and holidays, before they can become eligible for adoption.
7. What should I do if my pet is missing?
Call 770-786-9514, check the shelter in person daily, review the listed animals and prepare photos, microchip details and ownership evidence for a possible reclaim.
8. How much does it cost to reclaim my pet?
The county FAQ lists a $35 impound charge, $20 microchip charge when applicable and $15 rabies vaccination charge when current proof is unavailable. Extra boarding or repeat-impound charges can apply.
9. Can I surrender a pet without an appointment?
No. Owner surrenders are appointment-only, limited to Newton County residents and dependent on shelter capacity. The listed appointment window is Monday–Thursday, 1–3 PM.
10. Who handles animal emergencies and bite reporting in Newton County?
Newton County lists 770-784-2100 as its Animal Services emergency contact. Immediate life-threatening emergencies use 911. For bites or possible rabies exposure, contact Animal Control and GNR Public Health; GNR lists 770-339-4260 for weekday epidemiology questions and 404-323-1910 after hours or weekends.
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.