Summit County Animal Shelter: Adoption, Pets, Lost Animals & Local Rules
This page focuses on Summit County Animal Control & Shelter in Frisco, Colorado. Use it to adopt a pet, reclaim a stray animal, report an animal-control issue, license a dog, volunteer, donate, or prepare pets for wildfire evacuation.
Everything below is scan-first: phone numbers, hours, official services, adoption steps, lost/found micro-steps, pet-license fees, local mountain-county tips, and official links for final action.
FIRST
PETS
SAFE
Which Summit County Animal Shelter Is This?
Several places use “Summit County” in shelter searches. This article is for the Colorado shelter in Frisco.
| Search result confusion | Correct meaning | Use this guide? | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summit County Animal Shelter, Frisco CO | Summit County Animal Control & Shelter, Colorado | Yes | Address: 0058 Nancy’s Place, Frisco, CO 80443. |
| Summit County Animal Control, Utah | Separate Utah county animal-control office | No | Different address, rules, phone and adoption process. |
| Summit County Animal Control, Ohio | Separate Ohio dog-control / animal-control facility | No | Often appears in Akron-area searches. |
| Humane Society of Summit County | Akron, Ohio nonprofit shelter | No | Different organization from the Frisco, Colorado shelter. |
Which Number Should You Call?
Use this table instead of guessing from search snippets.
| Need | Official contact | Use when | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adoption, visitation, shelter questions | 970-668-3230 | You want to meet adoptable pets, ask shelter hours, ask about donations, or confirm a pet listing. | Pet name, species, PetHarbor/Petfinder link, your preferred visit time. |
| Animal-control issue | 970-668-8600 | Animals at large, barking, welfare checks, bites, cruelty/neglect, or local animal-control questions. | Exact location, animal description, urgency, photos if safe. |
| Reclaim a stray pet | 970-668-8600 | You think your lost dog or cat may be at the shelter or was picked up. | Proof of ownership, photos, microchip, license tag, ID. |
| Wildfire evacuation animal help | 970-668-4143 | Only when an evacuation is ordered and the hotline is activated. | Address, phone, animal names/descriptions, location in home, access instructions. |
| Immediate human danger | 911 | Active attack, immediate threat, fire, medical emergency, or unsafe animal/public-safety situation. | Location first, then what happened. |
What the Summit County Animal Shelter Provides
The official shelter page lists practical services beyond adoption. This is why the page should not be only a basic address listing.
Pet adoptions
Dogs, cats and other animals may be listed for adoption through official shelter links and Petfinder/PetHarbor-style listings.
Impound redemptions
Use the reclaim line if your pet may have been picked up or impounded.
Lost/found tracking
The shelter tracks lost and found animals; report quickly with photos and exact locations.
License sales
Dog licensing is required in specific Summit County areas, and cat licensing is voluntary.
Live trap rentals
Available as an official service; call first so staff can explain safe and legal use.
Pet cremation
The shelter lists pet cremation as a service; verify fees, timing and instructions before visiting.
Humane education
Donation funds support educational work, including K-12 pet-responsibility programs.
Animal control
Officers respond to issues such as animals at large, barking, cruelty/neglect, bites, welfare checks and wildlife encounters.
How to Adopt from Summit County Animal Shelter
Adoption is simple if you check the live listing first, call before visiting, and bring practical questions. The official adoption page links to dog, cat, other-animal listings and species-specific applications.
Check live adoptable pets
Use the official adoption page, PetHarbor links or Petfinder listing. Save the animal name, ID, species, age, sex and listing screenshot.
Call the shelter before driving
Call 970-668-3230 to confirm the animal is still available, whether applications are needed first, and whether the animal can be visited that day.
Visit during animal visitation hours
Animal visitation is Monday-Saturday, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. Shelter office hours are Monday-Saturday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM.
Use the correct application
The official page lists separate adoption applications for cats, dogs, ferrets and rabbits. Use the species-specific form when required.
Ask mountain-life fit questions
Ask about leash behavior, snow/ice comfort, trail manners, wildlife reaction, separation anxiety, altitude adjustment and resident pets.
Leave prepared
Bring a carrier for cats/small animals and a leash/harness/crate plan for dogs. Confirm medical records, microchip, licensing and first-week instructions.
Lost, Found or Reclaiming a Pet in Summit County
Do not only post on social media. Call the correct line, check the shelter, update chip/license details and prepare proof of ownership.
If your pet is lost
- Call 970-668-8600 if the pet may have been picked up.
- Call 970-668-3230 for shelter listing/visitation questions.
- Update microchip and DocuPet/HomeSafe contact information.
- Post clear photos with date, time and cross streets.
- Check nearby trailheads, Recpath areas, neighborhoods and parking lots.
- Ask neighbors, lodging staff, maintenance crews and local vets.
If you found a pet
- Do not chase a frightened dog toward traffic or wildlife.
- Check tag/collar only if safe.
- Take photos before moving the animal.
- Call 970-668-8600 for animal-control routing.
- Keep the animal separate from your pets.
- Ask about microchip scanning and shelter intake.
To reclaim a pet
- Bring government photo ID.
- Bring pet photos, microchip number or license tag.
- Bring rabies/vaccine records if available.
- Ask whether license or impound fees apply.
- Confirm pickup time before arriving.
- Bring leash, carrier or safe transport gear.
Summit County Pet Licenses and Fees
The official pet-license page says all dogs in unincorporated Summit County and the towns of Blue River, Dillon, Keystone and Silverthorne must wear a current license tag. Cat licenses are voluntary. Proof of current rabies vaccination is required to purchase a license.
| License type | Official fee | Applies to | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog, 1-year unsterilized | $50 | Required where official page lists dog licensing | Rabies proof required. |
| Dog, 3-year unsterilized | $150 | Dogs with qualifying rabies timing | Three-year licenses are for three-year rabies vaccine situations. |
| Dog, 1-year sterilized | $15 | Spayed/neutered dogs | Lower fee rewards sterilization. |
| Dog, 3-year sterilized | $40 | Spayed/neutered dogs with qualifying rabies timing | Upload/bring rabies proof. |
| Replacement license | $5 | Lost/replacement tag | Update profile details when replacing. |
| Cat, 1-year unsterilized | $50 | Voluntary cat license | Helpful for reunion if the cat escapes. |
| Cat, 1-year sterilized | $15 | Voluntary cat license | Pair with microchip and current photo. |
DocuPet partnership
Summit County uses DocuPet for online licensing, standard tags, optional designer tags and HomeSafe 24/7 lost-pet service.
Use your profile
Add recent photos, guardian contacts, pet details and documents so a found pet can be traced faster.
Mail option
The official page also allows licensing by mail with the application and fee sent to DocuPet, 15 Technology Place, Suite 1, East Syracuse, NY 13057.
Animal Control, Leash Laws and Local Summit County Tips
Summit County Animal Control is part of the Sheriff’s Office and enforces animal-control regulations for unincorporated Summit County. The official page says officers responded to 2,249 calls in 2023, including animals at large, barking, defecation, cruelty/neglect, bites, inspections, welfare checks, wildlife encounters and veterinary transports.
| Issue | Call / action | Helpful details to give | Local tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loose animal | Call 970-668-8600 | Exact location, direction of travel, animal description, collar/tag. | Do not chase into traffic, ice, wildlife habitat or trail congestion. |
| Barking complaint | Call animal control route | Address, time pattern, duration, repeated incidents. | Document repeat issues calmly; do not confront aggressively. |
| Bite or aggressive animal | Use urgent animal-control/public-safety route | Location, injuries, owner info if known, photos if safe. | Seek medical care and preserve details. |
| Neglect/cruelty concern | Call 970-668-8600 | Facts, dates, location, animal condition, photos/video if legally and safely obtained. | Report observations, not rumors. |
| Recpath dog rules | Follow posted rules | Summit County Recpath reminders say keep dogs on a 6 ft leash. | Busy bike paths and icy shoulders make short leashes safer. |
| Wildlife conflict | Do not let pets harass wildlife | Location, species, pet involvement, immediate risk. | Leash near open space, winter closures and wildlife corridors. |
Pet Surrender, Rehoming and Owner Resources
The official pages did not provide a simple public “walk-in surrender fee” table. That means the helpful advice is: call first, be honest, and ask what the shelter can do based on space, species, medical condition and residency.
Call before arriving
Use 970-668-3230 for shelter guidance. Do not leave animals at the door or show up after hours expecting intake.
Bring honest records
Prepare ID, proof of ownership, vaccine/rabies records, microchip, medications, diet, behavior notes, bite history and reason for rehoming.
Ask about support
The Pet Owner Resources page points to local/statewide resources, including LAPS for pets’ medical care funding help.
Volunteer at Summit County Animal Shelter
The shelter lists an active volunteer program. Roles include dog walking, socializing cats, fostering, general animal socializing, cleaning, emergency preparedness through SCART and special events.
| Volunteer detail | Official requirement / note | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | Regular volunteers must be at least 14. | Younger children may volunteer only with a trained adult for certain activities. |
| Age 18+ | Must pass a background check before Volunteer Orientation. | Submit required application, waiver and photo ID. |
| Application | Complete Volunteer App and Waiver. | Adults submit photo ID with the paperwork. |
| Orientation | One-time Volunteer Orientation. | Covers shelter info, animal behavior basics and safe interaction. |
| Parent/guardian | Must sign if participant is 14-18. | Plan paperwork before orientation. |
| Community service hours | Call front desk at 970-668-3230. | The regular volunteer program is not for court-ordered community service hours. |
| Programs Manager | Phone: 970-668-4193. | Use for volunteer-program questions. |
Donate to Summit County Animal Shelter
Official donation details matter because users want to know where money goes, not just where to click.
Money donations
Tax-deductible donations can be made online or by check to Summit County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 5225, Frisco, CO 80443.
Cash donations
Cash donations are accepted at the shelter during business hours listed on the donation page: Monday-Saturday, 9:00 AM-5:30 PM.
Wishlist
The official donation page links to an Amazon Wishlist for in-kind support.
Medical treatments
Donations help fund medical treatments and emergency needs for animals in care.
Spay/neuter fund
Official donation funds include support so adopted shelter animals can be spayed or neutered.
Humane education
Donations help staff and volunteers provide pet-responsibility presentations for K-12 children.
Wildfire and Evacuation Preparedness for Pets
Summit County’s official emergency-preparedness guidance is unusually useful. Bring pets with you when evacuating; do not assume someone can enter later to rescue them.
Pet evacuation kit
- Crate or carrier.
- Leash.
- Disposable waste bags or disposable cat litter box.
- ID tags.
- At least three days of food and can opener if needed.
- Food/water bowls.
- Treats and bottled water.
- Medications and prescription copies.
- Updated photo of each pet.
- Blanket, bed or toy.
- Veterinarian, shelter and emergency phone numbers.
Evacuation call details
- Evacuation hotline: 970-668-4143.
- Hotline activates once an evacuation is ordered.
- Provide your address and phone number.
- Give animal names and descriptions.
- Explain exactly where animals can be found.
- Explain how responders can access your home.
- Create a neighbor/friend rescue network before fire season.
- Review the plan every year.
Map and Directions to Summit County Animal Shelter
Use the map for route planning. The shelter is off Hwy 9 near Frisco, about 1/4 mile south of Frisco Main Street; turn right onto SCR 1004 and look for the second building on the left.
Call first if you are visiting a specific adoptable animal or reclaiming a pet.
Have ID, leash/carrier, pet listing screenshot, proof of ownership or records ready.
Ask about licensing, microchip, medical records, follow-up care and local leash rules.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Short, specific messages help shelter staff and officers route you faster.
Adoption
Hi, I’m interested in [pet name/species] listed online. Is this animal still available, and what application or visit step should I complete before coming to the shelter?Lost pet
Hi, I lost my [dog/cat] near [location] on [date/time]. The pet is [description] and may have [microchip/license/collar]. Has a matching animal been reported or impounded?Found pet
Hi, I found a [dog/cat] near [exact location]. The animal is [safe/injured/aggressive]. I have photos and can/cannot hold the animal temporarily. What should I do next?Surrender / rehome
Hi, I need guidance about possibly rehoming or surrendering my [dog/cat/other pet]. I live in [area]. Are you accepting intake, and what records or options should I prepare first?Official Links for Final Action
This guide includes the important details, but use official pages for live availability, forms, donation processing, current policies and emergency updates.
Related Shelter Guides
Use these only if you are comparing shelter models, volunteer options, or verifying “no-kill” claims.
Summit County Animal Shelter FAQ
Where is Summit County Animal Shelter located?
Summit County Animal Control & Shelter is located at 0058 Nancy’s Place, P.O. Box 5225, Frisco, CO 80443.
What is the phone number for Summit County Animal Shelter?
The shelter phone number is 970-668-3230. To reach an Animal Control Officer or reclaim a stray pet, call 970-668-8600.
What are Summit County Animal Shelter hours?
Shelter hours are Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The shelter is closed Sundays and holidays.
When can I visit adoptable animals?
Animal visitation is listed as Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call before visiting if you want to meet a specific animal.
How do I adopt a pet from Summit County Animal Shelter?
Check the official adoption page, PetHarbor links or Petfinder listing, save the animal details, call 970-668-3230 to confirm availability, visit during animal visitation hours and complete the correct adoption application if required.
Does Summit County Animal Shelter have dogs and cats?
Yes. The official adoption page links to cat adoptions, dog adoptions and other animal adoptions. Petfinder also lists adoptable pets for the Frisco shelter.
What should I do if I lost a pet in Summit County?
Call 970-668-8600 if the pet may have been picked up or impounded, update microchip and license details, post clear photos with location and date, and check the shelter quickly with proof of ownership.
Are dog licenses required in Summit County?
Dog licenses are required for dogs in unincorporated Summit County and the towns of Blue River, Dillon, Keystone and Silverthorne. Cat licenses are voluntary.
How much are Summit County pet license fees?
Dog license fees are listed as $50 for a 1-year unsterilized dog, $150 for a 3-year unsterilized dog, $15 for a 1-year sterilized dog, $40 for a 3-year sterilized dog and $5 for replacement licenses. Voluntary cat licenses are $50 unsterilized or $15 sterilized for one year.
How can I volunteer at Summit County Animal Shelter?
Regular volunteers must be at least 14. Adults 18 and older must pass a background check before Volunteer Orientation. Volunteers complete an application and waiver, attend a one-time orientation and can help with animal socializing, dog walking, fostering, cleaning, emergency preparedness and events.
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.