Animal Control Services

Kennel Hours

The Kennel opens at 10am daily, except holidays. It closes at 3pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and at 6pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Kennel is closed on holidays. 

Dog Adoptions

Adoption Hotline: 216-664-3476

Adoptable CITY DOGS can be viewed here. To meet an adoptable dog, please fill out a meet and greet request form. Adoptable dogs are heartworm tested, microchipped, spayed/neutered, and vaccinated. The cost of adoption is $61. You can also check out CITY DOGS on Facebook

Lost/Found Animals

Impounded animals can be viewed here. If you have lost or found a pet, please call 216-664-3069. Found pets should be brought to the kennel or an officer can pick them up. This gives their owners the best chance to find them. All impounded animals are posted online, scanned for a microchip, and held for a stray hold before being assessed for adoption or transfer. For more information, click here.

Reclaim Fees

For found dogs that have been moved to the kennel, the reclamation fee for return to the owner is $40 plus a license fee, if the dog is not licensed. There may be additional fees for daily care of the animal. Please call 216-664-3069 for more information about fees and if you have difficulty paying to reclaim your animal.

The cost of the license fee depends on the time of year that the animal is reclaimed. From December 1st to January 31st the fee is $21 From January 31st to November 30th the fee is $41. Licenses are available at the Division of Animal Care & Control. All persons wishing to access this service must present a photo ID in order to enter the building.

Owners of Lost Pets: Important Information

Impounded animals can be viewed here.

You may also call the kennel and make a report of your lost animal. Those looking for lost pets are asked to NOT solely rely on this website or a lost report. This site and lost reports are simply tools to assist owners when they can't visit the kennel. Otherwise, they are asked to come as often as possible, preferably daily but at least once every three business days. It is the owner's responsibility to come in person and look through the kennel.

The list of animals displays only live animals that were picked up by an animal control officer or brought in by concerned citizens.

Typically, the list of animals is updated/refreshed hourly. However, there are occasions when the site may go offline or is not updated due to maintenance. Users may verify when an animal's listing was last updated/refreshed by clicking on the animal's thumbnail image and reading the description to the right of the larger photo. For example, if it reads, "This information is 1 hour old," the website was updated/refreshed an hour ago. This does NOT mean that the animal arrived an hour ago.

Owners who find lost pets on this website, should call 216.664.3069.

Important Information Regarding Found Animals

The kennel holds strays for a minimum of 72 hours in order to give owners the opportunity to look for and claim the pet. Animals will not be adopted out before the stray hold, however, they may be transferred to the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter during this time, as this facility can also legally complete a stray hold.

The Division of Animal Care & Control provides emergency medical care to injured animals they pick up. However, an animal may be euthanized immediately if it is suffering from a severe medical condition or injury. Once the holding period has ended, an animal may be placed up for adoption or transferred to another shelter or rescue group. Animals may also be euthanized after the holding period if they have behavioral or medical issues.

While the list of animals is updated/refreshed hourly, owners are strongly urged to check our shelter in person, particularly for their own peace of mind. Photos on this website are not guaranteed to do justice to an animal, and descriptions provided may not match the owners. Breed identifications listed are a "best guess" and may be different than the way the owner identifies the pet.

Once at the kennel, owners should check in at the front counter where they will be guided through the process and kennel areas.

Animal Complaints

216.664.3069 - 24 hours/day Weekdays and 7 am to 11 pm Saturday/Sunday

Complaint Form

Animal complaints include complaints of barking dogs, dogs running loose, dog bites, and other dog nuisances. The City of Cleveland Animal Control Services responds to calls concerning animal ordinances, and it provides stray animal pickup throughout the City of Cleveland.

CITY DOGS Volunteer Opportunities

The Division of Animal Care & Control greatly relies on volunteers through the CITY DOGS Cleveland program – opportunities include walking dogs, distributing tasty treats, fostering, running and hiking with dogs, adoption counseling, and more. Volunteers help keep the dog happy and healthy while they are waiting for loving homes. All interested in volunteering must attend a New Volunteer Information Session, which are posted on the CITY DOGS Facebook page as they are scheduled.

For questions about volunteering, call 216-664-3476 or email citydogs@city.cleveland.oh.us.

Low-cost Spay and Neuter Referrals

Cleveland Residents P: 216.664.2759 - Outside of Cleveland: P: 216.781.0080

Callers will be referred to the nearest veterinarian participating in this program. All services are greatly discounted; varies from clinic to clinic.

Local Clinics: