Salt Lake Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
If you searched for the Salt Lake animal shelter, the official public shelter and animal-control route for Salt Lake City and several nearby county-service communities is Salt Lake County Animal Services at 511 West 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84123.
This guide gives visitors the practical 2026 details: adoption hours, fee categories, first-come adoption rules, lost-pet reclaim, found-pet intake, 24-hour officer dispatch, licensing, free licensed-pet microchips, bite/rabies routing, foster help, senior and veteran adoption programs, and what the shelter does not publish as a public veterinary hospital.
Official Shelter Route
Salt Lake County Animal Services is the official public shelter and animal-services route for Salt Lake City and listed county-service municipalities and metro townships.
Two Time Signals
The county main page lists public hours as Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and says adoptions end at 5:30 p.m. The adoption page lists adoption processing from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Arrive early.
No Fake Vet Claims
Salt Lake County publishes clinic, microchip and Feline Fix services, but this page does not invent a public walk-in veterinary hospital, doctor schedule, ratings, reviews or editor identity.
Start With the Right Salt Lake Animal Help Route
“Salt Lake animal shelter” can mean the county shelter, Salt Lake City animal-control service, South Salt Lake Animal Services, Humane Society of Utah, Best Friends, or another nearby rescue. For the official public shelter and animal-control route serving Salt Lake City, start with Salt Lake County Animal Services.
Salt Lake Animal Shelter Adoption Hours 2026
The safest visitor plan is to treat 10 a.m.–5 p.m. as the adoption-processing window and arrive well before closing. The main county page says the shelter is open until 6 p.m. and adoptions end at 5:30 p.m.; the adoption page lists adoption hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
| Day / service | Current listed time | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday to Saturday — public shelter hours | 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. | Main county page/contact page hours. Do not wait until the last few minutes if you need adoption, reclaim or detailed help. |
| Tuesday to Saturday — adoption processing | 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on adoption page; adoptions end 5:30 p.m. on main page | Best practical plan: arrive early, especially if you need a dog meet-and-greet or want to complete adoption the same day. |
| Sunday | Closed | Use online pet listings and prepare for the next open day. |
| Monday | Closed | Do not plan a normal adoption or walk-in shelter visit. |
| Holidays | Closed when county/shelter posts closure | Check the official county page before driving on or near holidays. |
How Adoption Works at Salt Lake County Animal Services
Salt Lake County uses a simple in-person adoption flow. Search current pets, visit the shelter, meet the animal, talk with staff and complete adoption paperwork if the match is right.
Search current adoptable pets
Use the official adoption page and pet search. Write down the animal name or ID, but keep a backup choice because availability can change.
Visit during adoption hours
Plan Tuesday through Saturday and arrive early enough for a meet-and-greet, adoption interview and paperwork.
Ask for a dog meet-and-greet
For dogs, county guidance says visitors go to the auditorium to find Adoption Staff and ask for a “Meet & Greet.”
Visit the cattery for cats
For cats, visitors can head into the cattery. The county adoption page also notes Spencer’s Room near the dog kennels.
Ask real-life fit questions
Ask about energy, children, other pets, medical notes, behavior, litter habits, exercise, training and what the first week at home may feel like.
Bring safe transport
Bring a carrier for cats and small pets. For dogs, bring a safe leash/collar plan and secure vehicle setup.
Salt Lake Animal Shelter Adoption Fees
Salt Lake County adoption fees can change during special promotions, so confirm at the front counter. The regular current fee categories listed on the adoption page are below.
| Pet / category | Current listed fee | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Large dogs | $75 | Ask staff what size/category applies to the specific dog. |
| Small dogs | $150 | Small dogs often move quickly; arrive early and keep backup options. |
| Puppies, 6 months or younger | $200 | Puppy costs after adoption can include training, boosters and supplies. |
| Adult cats | $50 | Check both cattery areas and ask staff about personality notes. |
| Kittens, 6 months or younger | $100 | Kittens may require extra supplies, kitten-safe spaces and future care. |
| Rabbits | $35 | Ask about housing, diet and handling before adopting. |
| Senior dogs/cats for senior citizens | Free for qualified senior citizens | County guidance lists senior pets 5 years and older free to senior citizens age 55+. |
| VIP / VIP Puppy | TBD | Confirm the exact amount at the shelter before payment. |
| Other birds, small mammals and exotics | Priced as they come in | Ask staff for the current price and care requirements. |
Stray Hold, First-Come Adoption and No-Hold Rule
A pet may appear online but still not be ready to go home. Salt Lake County’s lost/found guidance explains what happens when an animal enters the shelter.
Stray hold
The county lost/found page says all animals must stay at the shelter for 5 business days, giving owners time to claim them.
No adoption holds
Shelter guidance says animals will not be held and adoptions are first come, first served.
Adult adopter
The lost/found page says people over 18 who pass the adoption interview can adopt an animal.
Emergency & Important Salt Lake Animal Contacts
Use the right number for the right situation. A normal adoption question should not go to 911, and an injured, aggressive or emergency animal situation should not wait for a general email.
| Contact / route | Number / timing | Use this for |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake County Animal Services main shelter |
385-468-7387 Tue–Sat 10 a.m.–6 p.m. |
Adoption, licensing, lost/found, microchip, foster, volunteer, owner resources and general shelter questions. |
| 24-hour Officer Dispatch | 801-840-4000 | Routine animal complaints or animal emergencies that need animal-control response. |
| Immediate danger / serious injury | 911 | Immediate human danger, serious injury, active public-safety threat, dangerous animal attack, police/fire/medical emergency. |
| Salt Lake County Health Department — Infectious Disease Bureau |
385-468-4222 Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m. |
Rabies/public-health guidance after potential exposure, including bat exposure questions and infectious-disease reporting guidance. |
| Health Department disease emergency after hours | 385-468-8888, option 7 | Disease emergency reporting outside normal Health Department business hours when public-health guidance cannot wait. |
Lost or Found Pet in Salt Lake
If your pet is missing, the county says the only way to guarantee your pet is not at the shelter is to visit in person as soon as possible. Photos are useful, but not every animal can be photographed right away.
If your pet is missing
- Visit Salt Lake County Animal Services in person within 24 hours when possible.
- Ask to check isolation, quarantine and deceased-animal records when relevant.
- Search the official lost-pet listings and keep checking nearby shelters.
- Post lost-pet flyers and online notices with clear photos.
- Check during the day and at night; pets often hide quietly close to home.
- Bring photos, vet records, microchip details and license information.
If you found a pet
- Check safely for a license tag, ID tag or phone number.
- Have a veterinarian, shelter or animal-services agency scan for a microchip when safe.
- Bring the pet to 511 W 3900 S if found in a county-served area.
- Call dispatch at 801-840-4000 if you need officer help.
- Post responsibly without giving away every identifying detail.
- Do not privately rehome a found pet without following local rules.
Reclaiming an Impounded Pet
If animal control picked up your pet, reclaim is handled with proof of identity and proof of ownership. The county says redemption fees apply and cannot be quoted over the phone because the total depends on the situation.
Bring valid ID
Reclaim is for a person over 18 who can provide proof of identification and animal ownership.
Bring ownership proof
Useful proof includes current photos, veterinary records, vaccination records, sterilization proof, microchip information and location/date last seen.
Fees vary
Fees can depend on number of impounds, boarding days, license status, spay/neuter status and other circumstances.
Animal Bites and Rabies Reporting in Salt Lake County
Animal bites are not only shelter paperwork. They can be medical and public-health events because of infection and rabies risk. Treat the injury first, then report through the proper animal-control and health-department route.
Get medical guidance
Wash the wound if you can do so safely and contact a healthcare provider. Bites may involve infection, tetanus and rabies-risk decisions.
Call animal-control dispatch
For a bite, dangerous animal or urgent field response in the county service area, use Officer Dispatch at 801-840-4000.
Health Department
Salt Lake County Health Department Infectious Disease Bureau lists 385-468-4222 for infectious-disease contact and an after-hours disease emergency route at 385-468-8888 option 7.
Salt Lake Pet Licensing: Dogs, Cats and Ferrets
Salt Lake County licensing guidance says pets must be licensed yearly in the service areas it lists. Licensing also helps animal-control officers reconnect lost pets with their families.
| Licensing item | Current listed detail | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Unsterilized dog, cat or ferret license | $50 | Rabies certificate and pet details. |
| Sterilized dog, cat or ferret license | $25 | Rabies certificate and sterilization proof. |
| Senior citizen sterilized-pet license | $10 for residents 60+ | Proof of age, rabies certificate and sterilization proof. |
| Transfer fee | $15 | Owner and pet information. |
| Replacement tag | $15 | Existing license details when available. |
| Late license penalty | $50 in addition to regular fee | Renew on time to avoid added cost. |
Microchips and Clinic Reality Check
Salt Lake County Animal Services publishes useful clinic-related services, but the details are limited. This page keeps those facts narrow and does not present the shelter as a general public veterinary hospital.
Free licensed-pet microchips
Salt Lake County says every pet can receive a free microchip with proof of current pet license, with microchips inserted on a walk-in basis during open hours.
No owned-pet vaccines now
The clinic-services page says vaccine services are currently only available for animals in the care of Salt Lake County Animal Services.
Feline Fix
The clinic-services page lists Feline Fix bimonthly for pets within Salt Lake County, space limited, booked online, at $100 per cat including surgery, vaccinations and microchip.
Senior, Veteran and Community Programs
Salt Lake County Animal Services publishes several programs that can help people adopt, keep pets safe and support the shelter community.
Seniors for Seniors
The county program says adoption fees can be waived for people over 55 adopting a pet over 5 years old, excluding puppies and VIP pets.
Pets for Patriots
Salt Lake County Animal Services lists a Pets for Patriots partnership and waived adoption fee for members.
Community cats
The programs page lists a Community Cat Program and Trap and Release route. Check the official program page before trapping or moving cats.
Foster Help for Salt Lake County Shelter Pets
Foster homes help dogs, cats, medical cases, unweaned kittens and other animals who need temporary care away from the shelter.
Application route
The foster page asks interested foster parents to complete an application and email it to the foster team.
Supplies and care
Salt Lake County says it provides a crate for dogs, food, medicine if needed, vet care for foster pets, a collar and leash.
Support team
Foster homes have a shelter support team and may help pets get seen at outreach events or through foster updates.
Salt Lake Service Area and Nearby Shelter Confusion
The correct shelter depends on where the animal was found, where the owner lives and which city handles animal control. Do not send a found pet to the wrong agency just because a shelter appears close on a map.
| Search / location issue | Correct interpretation | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City public shelter / control | Salt Lake County Animal Services route | Use 511 W 3900 S, 385-468-7387 and 801-840-4000 dispatch. |
| South Salt Lake Animal Services | Different city shelter and animal-services agency | Use South Salt Lake’s own Animal Services page if the issue is inside South Salt Lake. |
| Humane Society of Utah | Private nonprofit shelter/clinic in Murray | Use HSU if the pet or clinic service is listed there; do not use it for Salt Lake City animal-control dispatch. |
| Best Friends Salt Lake City | Separate adoption center/rescue route | Use Best Friends for pets listed there, not county animal-control response. |
Before You Visit 511 West 3900 South
Adoption checklist
- Check current adoptable pets before leaving.
- Arrive early enough for a meet-and-greet and paperwork.
- Bring valid photo identification.
- Bring safe transport: carrier for cats/small pets, leash/collar plan for dogs.
- Ask whether the animal is available, on stray hold, or already in process.
- Confirm the current fee, promotions and what care is included.
Lost / found / reclaim checklist
- Visit the shelter in person as soon as possible.
- Bring recent photos, microchip number, license details and veterinary records.
- Ask about isolation, quarantine and deceased-animal records when appropriate.
- Call dispatch if a found animal needs officer pickup.
- Use the Health Department route for rabies or bite concerns.
- Check nearby shelters if the pet was lost near another city boundary.
Simple Call Scripts
When you are stressed, a short script helps staff route your call faster.
Adoption
Hi, I am interested in [pet name or ID]. Is this animal still
available at Salt Lake County Animal Services, and should I arrive
before 5 p.m. to complete adoption today? What fee category applies?
Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat/ferret] is missing from [street/cross street].
The pet is [description], [microchipped/licensed/not sure], and was
last seen at [time]. Has a matching animal been brought in?
Found animal
Hi, I found a [dog/cat/other animal] at [exact location].
The animal is [safe/injured/aggressive/confined]. Is this within
Salt Lake County Animal Services jurisdiction, and should I bring
the pet in or request dispatch?
Bite / urgent animal issue
Hi, I need to report [bite/aggressive animal/injured animal].
The location is [exact address or cross streets]. A person is
[injured/not injured], and the animal is [owned/stray/wild/unknown].
What is the correct response route?
Map: Salt Lake County Animal Services
Official shelter address: 511 West 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84123. Use this map for travel planning, but confirm live hours and pet availability before leaving.
Official Salt Lake Resources
Use official pages for live hours, pet availability, fees, closures, licensing, dispatch and public-health routing.
Salt Lake Animal Shelter FAQ
What is the main Salt Lake animal shelter?
Salt Lake animal shelter searches usually mean Salt Lake County Animal Services at 511 West 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84123.
What is the Salt Lake Animal Shelter phone number?
The main Salt Lake County Animal Services phone number is 385-468-7387.
What is the 24-hour animal-control dispatch number?
Salt Lake County Animal Services lists 24-hour Officer Dispatch at 801-840-4000 for routine complaints or animal emergencies.
What are Salt Lake Animal Shelter public hours?
Main public shelter hours are currently Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The shelter is closed Sunday, Monday and holidays.
What are Salt Lake Animal Shelter adoption hours?
The adoption page lists adoption hours from Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The main county page says adoptions end at 5:30 p.m., so visitors should arrive early.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog?
Current listed dog fees are $75 for large dogs, $150 for small dogs and $200 for puppies 6 months or younger. VIP and VIP puppy fees are listed as TBD.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat?
Current listed cat fees are $50 for adult cats and $100 for kittens 6 months or younger.
How much does it cost to adopt a rabbit?
Salt Lake County lists rabbit adoptions at $35.
What does the adoption fee include?
Adoption fees include spay/neuter if needed, a certificate for a veterinarian health exam, first vaccination, microchip and a small bag of dog or cat food.
Are Salt Lake County adoptions first come, first served?
Yes. County lost/found guidance says animals are adopted first come, first served and will not be held.
How long is the stray hold?
Salt Lake County lost/found guidance says all animals must stay at the shelter for 5 business days so owners have time to claim them.
What should I do if my pet is missing?
Visit the shelter in person as soon as possible, search lost-pet listings, check nearby shelters, post notices, and bring photos, microchip information, license details and veterinary records.
What should I bring to reclaim my pet?
Bring valid photo identification and proof of ownership, such as photos, veterinary records, vaccination records, sterilization proof, microchip information and details about where and when the pet was last seen.
Can Salt Lake County quote reclaim fees by phone?
The county says fees vary and cannot be quoted over the phone because the total depends on factors such as impounds, boarding days, license status, spay/neuter status and other circumstances.
What should I do if I found a pet?
Check safely for ID, have the animal scanned for a microchip, bring the pet to the shelter if found in a county-served area, or call 801-840-4000 for officer help.
Do Salt Lake pets need licenses?
Salt Lake County licensing guidance says cats, dogs and ferrets in the listed service areas must be licensed, and licenses must be renewed yearly.
How much are Salt Lake County pet licenses?
Current listed license fees are $50 for unsterilized pets, $25 for sterilized pets and $10 for sterilized pets owned by senior citizens age 60 or older. Transfer, replacement-tag and late fees may apply.
Can I get a free microchip?
Salt Lake County says every pet can receive a free microchip with proof of current pet license. Microchips are inserted on a walk-in basis during open hours.
Does Salt Lake County Animal Services offer public vaccine appointments?
The clinic-services page says vaccine services are currently only available for animals in the care of Salt Lake County Animal Services.
What is Feline Fix?
Feline Fix is listed as a bimonthly limited-space program for pets within Salt Lake County at $100 per cat, including surgery, vaccinations and microchip.
Who should I call for an animal bite or possible rabies exposure?
For animal-control response, call 801-840-4000. For public-health rabies guidance, Salt Lake County Health Department Infectious Disease Bureau lists 385-468-4222 during business hours and 385-468-8888 option 7 for after-hours disease emergencies.
Does the shelter have a senior adoption program?
Yes. Seniors for Seniors can waive the adoption fee for people over 55 adopting a pet over 5 years old, with exclusions such as puppies and VIP pets.
Does the shelter have a veteran adoption program?
Yes. Salt Lake County Animal Services lists a Pets for Patriots partnership and says adoption fees are waived for members.
Is South Salt Lake Animal Services the same shelter?
No. South Salt Lake Animal Services is a separate city shelter and animal-services agency. Use the correct agency for the location where the animal issue happened.
Is Animal-Shelter.org the official Salt Lake County website?
No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent informational guide. Use the official Salt Lake County Animal Services and Salt Lake County Health Department pages for live instructions.
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.