Tazewell County Animal Shelter, Adoption & Pets 2026
If you searched for the Tazewell County animal shelter, the official Illinois county result is Tazewell County Animal Control at 21314 State Route 9, Box 158, Tremont, IL 61568. The main phone number is 309-925-3370.
This page explains the practical visitor details: shelter hours, adoption application timing, dog and cat fees, stray holds, lost-pet checks, animal-control calls, rabies registration, bite reporting, after-hours routing, reclaim questions, surrender fees, and why this county shelter should not be treated as a public veterinary hospital.
Verified Illinois Entity
This guide is about Tazewell County Animal Control in Tremont, Illinois. Do not mix it with Tazewell County Animal Shelter in Virginia or TAPS No-Kill Animal Shelter in Pekin.
Open Admission Shelter
The county page describes the facility as an open admission shelter and licensed euthanasia agency. Strays are held, then evaluated for adoption or rescue transfer.
Independent Guide
Animal-Shelter.org is an independent informational guide. Use the official county, sheriff, health department and state public-health sources for live instructions.
Start With the Right Tazewell County Pet Help Route
Tazewell County Animal Control is both a sheltering route and an animal control route for most municipalities within Tazewell County. Adoption, lost-pet checks, rabies registration and shelter questions usually start with the Tremont office. Active bites, aggressive loose animals, injured strays, welfare checks and after-hours situations may require animal control, local police or 911 depending on danger.
Tazewell County Animal Shelter Adoption Hours 2026
The county page lists shelter hours as Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm and closed weekends and holidays. The Petfinder adoption policy says adopters can come into the shelter from 8am to 3:30pm to fill out an application.
| Visit type | Current listed time | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| General shelter hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Use for shelter business, registration and routine questions. |
| Adoption application window | 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Petfinder says adopters can come in during this window to complete an application. |
| Saturday | Closed / hours not specified | Do not plan a normal walk-in adoption visit unless staff confirms an exception. |
| Sunday | Closed / hours not specified | Use online listings and prepare for the next weekday. |
| County holidays | Closed | Call before driving near holidays, weather events or posted closures. |
How Adoption Works at Tazewell County Animal Control
The adoption process is simple, but you should not treat online listings as a reservation. Come during the application window, fill out the application, and wait for staff approval before meeting animals.
Check current pets online
Use the official county page, Facebook route and Petfinder listing before leaving. Save the animal name or ID, but keep a backup in mind because availability changes quickly.
Visit during the application window
Petfinder adoption-policy text says adopters can come in from 8am to 3:30pm to fill out an application.
Complete the adoption application
With an approved application, adopters can request to see the dogs or cats they are interested in.
Bring resident dogs for a meet-and-greet
Petfinder adoption-policy text says adopters with dogs already in the home need to bring them for a meet-and-greet before adoption approval.
Confirm the fee and included care
Current county fee language lists dog adoptions at $80 and cat adoptions at $60. Adoption fees include spay/neuter, microchip, basic vaccines and 30 days of pet health insurance.
Prepare safe transport
Bring a carrier for cats, a leash/collar setup for dogs, and a secure plan for the drive home.
Tazewell County Adoption, Reclaim and Registration Fees
Fees can depend on whether you are adopting, reclaiming, registering a pet, handling a bite case or surrendering an animal. Use the current county page and code language as a planning tool, then confirm the live total with staff before payment.
| Fee item | Current listed amount | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Dog adoption | $80 | Current county and Petfinder pages list dog adoption at $80. |
| Cat adoption | $60 | Current county and Petfinder pages list cat adoption at $60. |
| Dog or cat public safety fee | $50 dog / $25 cat | Listed in county animal-code fee language for impoundment cases. |
| Registered dog/cat redemption | $30 | Listed redemption amount for registered dogs or cats in county code. |
| Unregistered dog/cat redemption | $45 | Listed redemption amount for unregistered dogs or cats in county code. |
| Bite-case redemption | $180 | County animal-code fee language lists this amount for dog or cat redemption when the animal has bitten a person. |
| Relinquishment / surrender fee | $10 | County code lists a $10 relinquishment fee for owners surrendering animals to the shelter. |
Emergency & Important Tazewell County Animal Contacts
Use the right route for the situation. A routine adoption question is not the same as a loose aggressive animal, a bite, a bat exposure or a serious public-safety emergency.
| Contact | Number / route | Use this for |
|---|---|---|
| Tazewell County Animal Control |
309-925-3370 tcac@tazewell-il.gov |
Adoption, shelter hours, lost/reclaim questions, rabies registration, stray intake, welfare checks, bites and general animal-control routing. |
| After-hours Animal Control route | Call your local police department | The county page says after-hours Animal Control Officers can be reached by calling your local police department. |
| Immediate emergency | 911 | Immediate danger to people, serious injury, active attack, traffic-endangered animal emergency or other urgent public-safety emergency. |
| Tazewell County Sheriff dispatch | 309-346-4141 | Non-emergency sheriff dispatch routing when law-enforcement response is needed and it is not a shelter adoption question. |
| Tazewell County Sheriff office | 309-477-2250 | General sheriff office information, not routine shelter adoption or pet registration questions. |
| Tazewell County Health Department | 309-925-5511 | Local public-health routing for rabies exposure questions and health-department guidance. |
| Health Department after-hours emergency phone | 309-303-1375 | After-hours public-health emergencies when local health guidance is needed. |
What Tazewell County Animal Control Handles
The county page says Tazewell County Animal Control strives to provide animal-control needs for most municipalities within the county. The service scope includes both routine daytime services and narrower emergency services after hours.
Animals running at large
Routine services include animals running at large. The county page notes that cats must be confined for pickup.
Sick or injured animals
Sick or injured animal calls are listed under routine daily services and emergency services.
Welfare checks
Animal wellbeing and welfare checks are part of routine animal control service.
Rabies and bite concerns
Bite and rabies concerns are listed as routine services. Emergency after-hours bite work focuses on cases where the aggressive animal is currently loose.
Wildlife in living space
The county lists wildlife removal from a living space, but excludes attics and basements from that service description.
Municipality matters
Tazewell County covers most municipalities, but local police or a municipal route may still matter after hours or for location-specific response.
Lost or Found Pet in Tazewell County
A lost pet search should start quickly and repeat often. Intake information can change after officer pickups, citizen reports, rabies tag checks, microchip scans or owner updates.
If your pet is missing
- Call Tazewell County Animal Control at 309-925-3370.
- Check the official Facebook and Petfinder routes for recently posted animals.
- Search close to the last-seen place: porches, sheds, garages, wooded edges, drainage areas and quiet hiding spots.
- Keep photos, microchip details, rabies certificate, tag number and proof of ownership ready.
- Use the county update route if your pet has gone missing and you received an overdue card or notice.
- If your pet disappeared inside a city or village, also check the local police/municipal route.
If you found an animal
- Do not chase, corner or grab a frightened or aggressive animal.
- Check safely for a collar, rabies tag, license tag or owner information.
- Have a veterinarian, shelter or animal-control office scan for a microchip when safe.
- Call Animal Control before transporting an injured, aggressive or uncertain animal.
- Remember that stray cats must be confined for pickup under the county’s public guidance.
- Do not privately rehome a found animal without following the proper local process.
Stray Holds and Open Admission Shelter Status
Tazewell County Animal Control says stray animals are held for five to seven business days. At the end of the hold, animals are evaluated and then may be placed for adoption or transferred to a rescue shelter.
Hold period
Strays are held for five to seven business days so an owner has a chance to reclaim the animal.
Evaluation comes next
After the hold, the animal is evaluated before adoption or rescue transfer decisions are made.
Open admission
The county describes the shelter as open admission and says it does not turn away any animal.
Rabies Registration Tags in Tazewell County
Tazewell County requires registration after rabies vaccination. The county says you can mail rabies certificate copies with payment or stop by the shelter to purchase a tag. Online or phone payment is not accepted at the time stated on the county page.
| Registration item | Current listed amount / rule | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| One-year tag — spayed/neutered | $16 | Use after current rabies vaccination. |
| One-year tag — unaltered | $33 | Higher fee for unaltered pets. |
| Three-year tag — spayed/neutered | $42 | Only available when the pet received a three-year rabies vaccine. |
| Three-year tag — unaltered | $75 | Only available with a three-year rabies vaccine. |
| Late fee after 30 days overdue | $5 | Listed county late-fee schedule. |
| Late fee after 60 days overdue | $10 | Listed county late-fee schedule. |
Animal Bites and Rabies Reporting in Tazewell County
Animal bites are public-health and animal-control matters. Illinois DPH says all animal bites should be reported to local animal control. The Tazewell County animal code says people with knowledge of someone being bitten must report the information to the animal shelter or Police Department within 24 hours.
Report quickly
County code language says bite information must be reported to the animal shelter or Police Department within 24 hours.
Domestic animal observation
Illinois DPH and county code describe a 10-day observation period for apparently healthy domestic animals that bite a human.
Bat exposure matters
Illinois DPH says close proximity to a bat can be a possible rabies exposure when you cannot be sure no exposure occurred.
Surrender and Relinquishment Reality Check
Tazewell County Animal Control is an open admission shelter, but surrendering a pet still affects shelter capacity and the animal’s stress level. Call first, explain the situation honestly, and ask what paperwork, timing and fee apply.
Call before bringing an owned pet
Start with 309-925-3370. Ask whether you should bring the pet during public hours or follow another instruction.
Relinquishment fee
Tazewell County animal-code fee language lists a $10 relinquishment fee for owners surrendering animals to the shelter.
Ask about alternatives
If the problem is temporary housing, cost, behavior or transportation, ask whether any rescue, rehoming, foster or support option may help.
Wildlife, After-Hours Help and What Not to Handle Yourself
Tazewell County lists wildlife removal from a living space as part of routine service, but not from attics or basements. After-hours emergency services include wildlife removal from a living space, sick or injured animals, and bite investigations where an aggressive animal is currently loose.
| Situation | Listed route | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife inside living space | Animal Control during routine or emergency scope | Call first. Do not handle bats, raccoons, skunks or other wildlife yourself. |
| Wildlife in attic or basement | Not included in county service wording | County page excludes attics and basements from the wildlife removal description. |
| Aggressive animal currently loose after hours | Call your local police department | Use 911 if people are in immediate danger. |
| Sick or injured animal after hours | After-hours Animal Control route through local police | Give exact location, species, condition and whether people are at risk. |
TAPS No-Kill Animal Shelter Is Separate From County Animal Control
Tazewell searches may also show Tazewell Animal Protective Society, known as TAPS No-Kill Animal Shelter, at 100 TAPS Lane in Pekin. TAPS is a separate nonprofit shelter with its own adoption application process, fees, surrender forms and response timing.
Separate nonprofit shelter
TAPS is useful for nonprofit dog and cat adoption, foster, volunteer and surrender-form information, but it is not the county animal control office.
Strays route to animal control
TAPS surrender guidance says people bringing in a stray will be referred to the animal control in the community where the animal was found.
Do not mix rules
TAPS adoption fees and application rules are not Tazewell County Animal Control adoption fees or animal-control rules.
Veterinary Care Reality Check
This page does not add fake veterinarian names, public clinic hours, VeterinaryCare schema or public hospital claims for Tazewell County Animal Control. Adoption fees include basic shelter medical items, and registration requires rabies vaccination through a veterinary office, but the official county pages reviewed here do not present the shelter as a walk-in public veterinary hospital.
No invented doctor listing
No public county shelter veterinarian name or public medical appointment schedule was verified, so none is added.
Rabies vaccination is separate
The county registration page tells owners to get the pet vaccinated against rabies at their veterinary office before registering.
Emergency illness
If your owned pet is seriously ill or injured, contact a licensed veterinarian or emergency veterinary provider.
Public Staff Listing: Libby Aeschleman
Animal Control Director
The official county Animal Control page lists Libby Aeschleman as Animal Control Director. This is an administrative animal-control listing, not a veterinarian appointment listing.
Before You Visit 21314 State Route 9
Adoption checklist
- Check Petfinder/Facebook before leaving home.
- Call first if you are driving for one specific dog or cat.
- Arrive early enough to complete the adoption application before closing.
- Bring photo ID, payment and a safe transport plan.
- Bring resident dogs for a meet-and-greet if required.
- Ask what medical records, microchip details and vaccine information will go home with the pet.
Lost / reclaim / registration checklist
- Bring proof of ownership, photos and microchip information.
- Bring rabies vaccination certificate and registration/tag information.
- Ask what reclaim, public-safety, rabies, microchip or other fees apply.
- Check whether a local police department or municipality was involved in pickup.
- For registration, bring or mail two copies of the rabies certificate and the correct fee.
Simple Call Scripts
When you are worried or rushing, a short script helps staff route your call faster.
Adoption
Hi, I am interested in [pet name or ID]. Is the animal still
available, and should I come between 8am and 3:30pm to fill out an
application? What is the exact fee today?
Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat] is missing from [street/town/nearby landmark].
The pet is [description] and is [microchipped/tagged/not sure].
Has a matching animal been brought to Tazewell County Animal Control?
Found animal
Hi, I found a [dog/cat/other animal] at [exact location].
The animal is [safe/injured/aggressive]. Is this a shelter intake,
Animal Control pickup, local police route or another municipal route?
Bite / rabies concern
Hi, I need to report an animal bite or possible rabies exposure in
Tazewell County. It happened at [location], the animal was
[owned/stray/wild/unknown], and the injury is [minor/serious].
What is the next step?
Map: Tazewell County Animal Control
Use this map for directions to 21314 State Route 9, Tremont, IL 61568. Confirm the correct visit purpose before leaving, especially for adoption, lost-pet reclaim, registration or surrender questions.
Official Tazewell County Resources
Use these official and directly linked sources for current hours, fees, adoptable pets, pet registration, bite/rabies guidance and final instructions.
Tazewell County Animal Shelter FAQ
What is the official Tazewell County animal shelter in Illinois?
The official Illinois county shelter/control entity is Tazewell County Animal Control in Tremont, Illinois.
Where is Tazewell County Animal Control located?
Tazewell County Animal Control is listed at 21314 State Route 9, Box 158, Tremont, IL 61568.
What is the Tazewell County Animal Control phone number?
The main phone number is 309-925-3370.
What are Tazewell County Animal Shelter hours?
Shelter hours are listed as Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shelter is closed weekends and holidays.
What time can adopters come in?
Petfinder adoption-policy text says adopters can come into the shelter from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to fill out an application.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog?
Current county and Petfinder pages list dog adoption at $80.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat?
Current county and Petfinder pages list cat adoption at $60.
What does the adoption fee include?
The county page says adoption fees include spay/neuter, microchipping, basic vaccines and 30 days of pet health insurance.
Do I need to bring my current dog for a meet-and-greet?
Petfinder adoption-policy text says adopters with dogs already in the home need to bring them in for a meet-and-greet before adoption is approved.
How long are stray animals held?
The county page says stray animals are held for five to seven business days, then evaluated for adoption or rescue transfer.
Is Tazewell County Animal Control a no-kill shelter?
No. The county page describes it as a licensed euthanasia agency and an open admission shelter.
What does Animal Control handle during routine hours?
Routine services include animals running at large, sick or injured animals, welfare checks, wildlife removal from a living space and rabies or bite concerns.
What are after-hours Animal Control services?
The county page lists emergency services from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. for bite investigations where an aggressive animal is currently loose, sick or injured animals and wildlife removal from a living space.
How do I reach Animal Control after hours?
The county page says after-hours Animal Control Officers can be reached by calling your local police department.
What should I do if my pet is missing?
Call Animal Control, check Petfinder and Facebook routes, keep proof of ownership ready, search near the last-seen location and update the county if your pet has gone missing.
How do I register my dog or cat in Tazewell County?
Get the pet vaccinated against rabies at a veterinary office, then mail two copies of the rabies certificate with the appropriate fee or stop by the shelter to purchase a tag.
What are Tazewell County rabies tag fees?
Listed fees are $16 for a one-year spayed/neutered tag, $33 for a one-year unaltered tag, $42 for a three-year spayed/neutered tag and $75 for a three-year unaltered tag.
Who handles animal bites or rabies concerns?
Report animal bites to Tazewell County Animal Control or the Police Department. Illinois DPH also says all animal bites should be reported to local animal control.
How long is a biting animal observed?
Illinois DPH and Tazewell County code describe a 10-day observation period for apparently healthy domestic animals that bite a human.
Does Tazewell County Animal Control remove wildlife?
The county page lists wildlife removal from a living space but excludes attics and basements from that service wording.
Is TAPS the same as Tazewell County Animal Control?
No. TAPS No-Kill Animal Shelter in Pekin is a separate nonprofit shelter with its own adoption and surrender process.
Is there a verified veterinarian or doctor name for this county shelter page?
No public county shelter veterinarian name or public medical appointment schedule was verified from the official county pages reviewed, so this page does not add fake doctor or VeterinaryCare schema.
Who is listed as Animal Control Director?
The official county Animal Control page lists Libby Aeschleman as Animal Control Director.
Is Animal-Shelter.org the official Tazewell County website?
No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent informational guide. Use official Tazewell County, Sheriff, Health Department and Illinois DPH resources 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.