Pima Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
Use this Pima guide like a Tucson-area animal-help dashboard: adoption, EPAC, lost/found pets, stray intake, surrender support, pet licensing, animal noise/waste complaints, sick or injured strays, and kitten decisions.
Verified 2026 note: PACC listings update often and do not guarantee a pet will still be available when you arrive. Adoption/admission check-in must be completed 45 minutes before close.
Choose What You Need
Official 2026 Check: Do This Before Driving
PACC is busy, pet availability changes quickly, and different phone routes handle different problems. Start here.
45-minute cutoff
PACC says visitors must be checked in 45 minutes before close for adoption and admission. Do not arrive at closing time expecting service.
Pets update every 15 minutes
Adoptable pet listings are updated every 15 minutes, but PACC says that does not guarantee a pet will still be available when you arrive.
Dogs currently free
PACC’s adoption page says all dogs and puppies are currently free to adopt. Dogs 4+ months may still require county licensing.
Clickable Pima Animal Help Cards
Tap the matching action. Each card points to an official Pima County/PACC route.
Who to Call First
Use this table before driving, calling the wrong line, or picking up a healthy stray dog.
| Situation | Call / click | What to say | Next micro-step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adopt a pet at PACC | Adopt a Pet or 520-724-5900 | “I’m coming for adoption. What is today’s check-in cutoff and waitlist process?” | Enter adoptions lobby and sign into the adoptions waitlist. |
| Adopt from Eastside PACC | 520-724-5940 | “Is the pet at EPAC still available?” | Confirm location before driving; some pets may be at westside PACC. |
| Lost or found pet | 520-724-7222 | “I need help with a lost/found pet near [cross streets].” | Use Lost & Found page and check stray listings. |
| Sick or injured stray | 520-724-5900 option 4 | “This stray is sick/injured at [exact location].” | If safe, bring during open hours; otherwise ask dispatch for response. |
| Stray or dead animal | 520-724-5900 option 4 | “I need help with a stray/dead animal at [address].” | Give exact address, animal type and safety concern. |
| Noise or waste complaint | 520-724-5972 | “I need to report animal noise/waste at [address].” | Have address, date/time pattern and description ready. |
| Owner assistance or surrender | 520-724-7222 | “I want to keep my pet but need help, or I may need surrender information.” | Ask about food, supplies, medical, behavior, housing and rehoming help first. |
PACC and EPAC Adoption Hours
PACC and EPAC share the same regular adoption-hour pattern. Check in 45 minutes before close for adoption and admission.
| Day | PACC Westside | EPAC Eastside | Practical cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 12pm-6:30pm | 12pm-6:30pm | Check in before 5:45pm. |
| Tuesday | 12pm-6:30pm | 12pm-6:30pm | Check in before 5:45pm. |
| Wednesday | 1:30pm-6:30pm | 1:30pm-6:30pm | Check in before 5:45pm. |
| Thursday | 12pm-6:30pm | 12pm-6:30pm | Check in before 5:45pm. |
| Friday | 12pm-6:30pm | 12pm-6:30pm | Check in before 5:45pm. |
| Saturday | 10am-4:30pm | 10am-4:30pm | Check in before 3:45pm. |
| Sunday | 10am-4:30pm | 10am-4:30pm | Check in before 3:45pm. |
Adoption Fees and What They Include
Fee rules can change during adoption specials. These are the official currently listed PACC/EPAC fee notes to check before visiting.
| Pet / situation | Official fee note | Included / important | Ask before adopting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dogs and puppies | Currently free to adopt at PACC/EPAC | $20 licensing applies for dogs 4+ months for Pima County residents. | Ask about size, behavior, home fit and licensing. |
| Kittens under 4 months | $50 at EPAC | Spay/neuter, age-appropriate vaccines and microchip. | Ask about booster timing and kitten setup. |
| Cats 4 months to 4 years | $30 at EPAC | Spay/neuter, age-appropriate vaccines and microchip. | Ask about personality, litter, diet and adjustment room. |
| Cats 5 years and up | Fee waived at EPAC | Senior-cat adoption may be especially urgent/helpful. | Ask about medical notes and quiet setup. |
| Cats available more than 2 weeks | Fee waived at EPAC | Applies to cats with longer shelter stay. | Ask why the cat may be overlooked and what home fits best. |
| Pet on stray hold | $50 reservation fee may apply | At EPAC, the fee is applied to adoption fees if adopted. Reserved pets cannot go home until hold/spay-neuter requirements are complete. | Ask when the hold ends and whether the pet is already altered. |
Adoption Micro-Steps
Follow this order so you do not lose time in the wrong lobby or drive to the wrong location.
Open the current pet list
Use PACC Adopt a Pet. Pet availability is updated every 15 minutes but not guaranteed.
Confirm location
Check whether the pet is at PACC westside or Eastside PACC Adoption Center before driving.
Arrive before cutoff
Check in at least 45 minutes before close. For weekends, that means before 3:45pm.
Enter the adoptions lobby
PACC says to enter through the adoptions lobby, the first double doors on the left in the main breezeway.
Sign into the adoptions waitlist
The same line handles adoption and foster meet-and-greets. Tell staff whether you are adopting, fostering, or unsure.
Meet counselor, then pet
An adoption counselor reviews pet details, brings the pet out to meet you, and assists with adoption paperwork if you decide to adopt.
Lost or Found Pet in Pima County
Use PACC’s lost/found route, but also take immediate local action because many pets are close to home.
If your pet is lost
- Call PACC lost/found support at 520-724-7222.
- Check the PACC lost/found/stray page and recent stray pet listings.
- Update microchip contact information immediately.
- Walk your neighborhood early/late when it is cooler and quieter.
- Post clear photos, last-seen cross streets, date/time and contact method.
- Check with nearby vets, neighbors, local rescues and community groups.
- If your pet has a license/tag, keep that number ready when calling.
If you found a pet
- If safe, check collar/tag and ask nearby neighbors before transporting.
- For sick or injured strays, bring them to PACC during open hours or call 520-724-5900 option 4.
- For a healthy, friendly stray, use PACC’s found-pet guidance before taking the pet far from the area.
- Have a vet or shelter scan for a microchip if safe.
- Post found location without giving every identifying detail.
- Keep the found animal separate from your pets and children.
- Call PACC if you cannot safely transport or hold the animal.
Found Kittens in Pima County
Do not move kittens automatically. PACC says kittens do best with their mother for a minimum of 6 weeks when safe.
Leave and monitor if
- Kittens are warm, clean, quiet and not in immediate danger.
- Mother may be away getting food.
- You can provide shelter, food and water for mom nearby.
- The kittens are too young to eat independently.
- You can wait and watch from a distance.
Call / act if
- Kittens are cold, sick, injured, wet, crying continuously or in immediate danger.
- The kittens are friendly and need a surrender appointment.
- Mom and kittens are feral and need TNR help.
- You cannot catch mom or kittens and need trapping help.
- You need step-by-step guidance: text KITTEN to 833-552-0591.
Owner Assistance, Rehoming and Surrender
PACC’s rehoming page says surrendering should be a last resort. Try support first.
| Need | Official route | What PACC may help with | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food or supplies | 520-724-7222 | Food, collars, leashes, crates and basic pet ownership supplies. | Ask Pet Support Center what is currently available. |
| Medical cost challenge | 520-724-7222 | PACC says funding may be available to help with medical challenges. | Explain diagnosis, estimate and urgency. |
| Behavior issue | Rehoming a Pet | Training or behavior resources may be available. | Complete the survey/request route. |
| Housing problem | Pet Help | Housing information and pet-owner housing guide. | Ask for resources before surrendering. |
| Rehome without shelter | Home To Home / Adopt-A-Pet Rehome | Owner-to-owner rehoming may keep pets out of shelter stress. | Use clear photos and honest behavior/medical details. |
| Surrender to PACC | 520-724-7222 | PACC accepts owner surrenders only from owners in Pima County. | Call Pet Support Center for current surrender instructions. |
Animal Protection, Complaints and Field Help
“Animal control” searches usually mean one of these Pima County routes.
| Issue | Phone / route | Use for | Helpful details to have |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate animal protection assistance | 520-724-5900 option 4 | Immediate animal protection/enforcement help. | Exact address, animal type, risk, photos if safe/legal. |
| Stray or dead animal | 520-724-5900 option 4 | Stray and dead animal route listed by PACC directory. | Location, condition, road hazard, collar/tag info. |
| Noise or waste complaint | 520-724-5972 | Animal noise complaints and animal waste complaints. | Address, date/time pattern, description. |
| Public records | 520-724-5980 | Animal Care public records requests. | Case number, address or date range if known. |
| Wildlife issue | Living with wildlife | Wildlife information and coexistence guidance. | Species, location, safety risk, photos if safe. |
Pet Licensing in Pima County
Licensing is more than a fee. It helps lost pets get home.
DocuPet tag
Pima County directs dog licensing and fees to DocuPet. Standard or designer tags double as official licenses.
HomeSafe lost-pet service
DocuPet tags include HomeSafe 24/7 lost-pet service linked to pet profiles to help lost pets return home.
Adoption dog license
PACC/EPAC currently list a $20 licensing charge for adopted dogs 4+ months for Pima County residents.
Before You Leave Home
Pet screenshot, location check, check-in cutoff, leash/collar or carrier, licensing payment.
Recent photos, microchip/tag number, last-seen cross streets, proof of ownership, phone ready.
Safe confinement, found location, photos, collar/tag details, microchip scan plan.
Reason for crisis, vet estimates, behavior notes, housing issue, supplies needed, rehoming photos.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Adoption
Hi, I’m interested in adopting [pet name/ID]. Is this pet at westside PACC or EPAC, and what is today’s check-in cutoff?Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat] is missing near [cross streets]. Description: [color/size/collar/microchip]. Can you help me check the lost/found and stray route?Found pet
Hi, I found a [dog/cat] near [exact location]. The pet is [healthy/injured/sick]. I can/cannot safely hold or transport it. What should I do next?Owner assistance
Hi, I want to keep my pet but need help with [food/medical/behavior/housing]. What support options are available before surrender?Map: Pima Animal Care Center
Use this map for the main westside PACC location. For EPAC, confirm the pet’s location before driving.
Official Pima Animal Shelter Links
The key details are summarized above. Use these official pages for live pets, current hours, forms, events and final verification.
Pima Animal Shelter FAQ
What is the main Pima animal shelter?
The main shelter is Pima Animal Care Center at 4000 N Silverbell Road, Tucson, AZ 85745.
What is Pima Animal Care Center’s main phone number?
PACC’s main phone number is 520-724-5900.
What are PACC adoption hours?
PACC lists Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 12pm to 6:30pm; Wednesday from 1:30pm to 6:30pm; and Saturday-Sunday from 10am to 4:30pm.
What is the PACC adoption check-in cutoff?
PACC says visitors must be checked in 45 minutes before close for adoption and admission.
Where is the Eastside PACC Adoption Center?
EPAC is at 7225 E. Broadway Blvd, Suite #140, Tucson, AZ 85710, with phone number 520-724-5940.
Are dogs free to adopt at PACC?
PACC’s official adoption page says all dogs and puppies are currently free to adopt, while a dog licensing fee may apply for dogs 4 months and older for Pima County residents.
How much are cat adoptions at EPAC?
EPAC lists kittens under 4 months at $50, cats 4 months to 4 years at $30, cats 5 years and older with waived fees, and cats available more than 2 weeks with waived fees.
Who do I call for a lost or found pet in Pima County?
PACC’s directory lists Lost & Found Pets at 520-724-7222.
What should I do if I find kittens?
PACC says kittens are usually best with their mother for at least 6 weeks when safe. You can text KITTEN to 833-552-0591 for step-by-step guidance.
Who do I call before surrendering a pet to PACC?
Call PACC’s Pet Support Center at 520-724-7222. PACC says surrender should be a last resort and support may be available for food, supplies, medical, behavior or housing issues.
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.