Please note that our Petfinder site is rarely a complete list of all of our adoptable pets. If you do not see a pet listed that seems like "the one", do not hesitate to visit us anyway... or at the very least, check our listings often!
Can't adopt, but still want to help? Check out our volunteer opportunities or make a donation.
Featured Pets! (Scroll Down for More!)
Jasper, a laid-back Basset Hound, listened thoughtfully to the whispers of Man Man, a cheerful Staffordshire Terrier, on a recent Saturday afternoon. Both of these wonderful dogs are in need of loving, adoptive homes. Come on down and visit with Jasper, Man Man, or any of their pals to find the right dog for you and your family!
------------------------------------------------------------------It's Beagle-mania!
Beagles are known for being good-natured companions that also double as fantastic walking partners. Beagles are always overflowing our kennels, yet they hardly seem to grab the attention of adopters, which makes their stay longer than that of most other breeds. Click on the pictures below to read about a small sampling of all our adoptable beagles!
Spotlight on Big Black Dogs!
Did you know that big, black dogs are frequently overlooked in shelters across the nation and are usually the last to be adopted? Here are some of our current BBDs that are hoping to catch your eye. Click on each picture to visit that dog's page!
Finding your purrfect feline friend is easy!
Take a seat in one of our free-roaming rooms, and let a cat or kitten choose YOU! See the cats interact with each other. Discover which ones love to play and which ones are happier being cuddled. Find out which ones are clingy and which are more independent. Take your time and take your pick! Please note that we never, ever have a shortage of KITTENS that need homes in addition to all of our needy adults!
What does the adoption fee cover?
All adopted dogs or puppies will have received DHPPC and Bordetella vaccinations, worming, a heartworm test and preventative, microchip, and a spay or neuter procedure. All adopted cats or kittens will have received a FVRCPC vaccination, worming, FLV test, microchip, and a spay or neuter procedure. All dogs, cats, and ferrets over 4 months will also have received a rabies vaccination as well as a license. You will even receive complimentary coupons for pet-related products or services in Louisville. The adoption fees do not even begin to represent the true cost of the care that goes into each animal prior to adoption. It is a great value, but more importantly we thank you for choosing to adopt!
What is the adoption process?
Before you even look at the animals we have for adoption, think about what is best for your lifestyle. For example, if you are generally sedate, you may want to think twice about bringing an energetic herding dog into your home. After you've done a little research, start browsing our adoptable list of pets here on Petfinder. Visiting the shelter for the first time can be a little unsettling for some due to the sheer volume of animals, so previewing adoptable animals in the comfort of your own home can help you focus on finding an animal that truly fits your family. If you've got a few that you are interested in meeting, come on down! We'll help you get to know the dogs in our "meet and greet" room. You can spend time with most of our cats in their free-roaming rooms. When you know that you've found "the one", all that's left is to fill out an adoption application and talk to an adoptions counselor to ensure that you will provide proper care for the animal. The adoption fee is due upon approval by an adoptions counselor. If the animal you've chosen has already had it's spay or neuter surgery, it is ready to go home with you that same day. We ask that you bring a current, valid driver's license or ID. You will need landlord approval if you rent your home.
Click here to download an adoption application for a dog, and
click here for a cat application.
Are any of the dogs already housebroken?
We can not determine if the dogs up for adoption are housebroken. They cannot "go out" to potty on a regular schedule. That said, some dogs will relieve themselves in the grass immediately after coming out of their kennel when going out for a walk, which offers a clue (but no guarantee) that the animal may have some prior experience with housebreaking. If a dog is currently in foster care, the foster family can give you a much more accurate description of their housebreaking status. However, housebreaking is a simple task if taken seriously and kept consistent, and hopefully it is not enough to deter you from providing a happy new life to an animal in need. If you are not sure how to go about housebreaking, our adoptions staff will be happy to answer your questions and give you advice. All cats for adoption are litter trained.
ATTENTION!
We do not
normally adopt out of our area. Our area includes an
approximate 150 mile radius of Louisville. Check your local shelter! There are plenty of animals in every area that are in desperate need of a good home.
Goals/Mission Statement
Metro Animal Services was established by Jefferson County Fiscal Court in accordance with
the Kentucky Revised Statutes. Its mission is to provide services that safeguard
the public health and safety, to humanely house and care for animals in its
charge, to protect the animals of the community from abuse and neglect and to
provide its citizens with information concerning responsible ownership.
Responsibility of Our Organization/What We Do
Metro Animal Services employs 17 Animal Control Officers who investigate over 24,000 complaints in an average year that range from bite cases to severe inhumane treatment. They drive over 225,000 miles a year covering Louisville Metro's 386 sq. miles. Officers are on duty from 7 am to 11 pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including holidays.
Besides enforcing the Louisville Metro Animal Care and Control Ordinance, the center has a 17-person animal care staff that includes a veterinary clinic coordinator, one staff veterinarian, one veterinary technician, two veterinary assistants, eight animal care specialists, three adoption coordinators, and our animal care manager. The animal care staff spends countless hours caring for the animals at our facility. Many of these animals are placed for adoption through our adoption program or transferred to placement organizations.
Adopting a friend
Metro Animal Services receives an average of over 15,000 animals a year. Some have been brought in as strays, some have been confiscated for inhumane treatment or neglect, and some have been surrendered by owners that could no longer provide care. We house hundreds of animals on any given day. Many of these animals are up for adoption and are looking for a fresh start at life in a new home. You can preview adoptable animals here on our Petfinder website to get an idea of some of the animals you'll want to check out when you visit us. Note that we take in more than just dogs and cats! Rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, birds, reptiles, and even farm animals need our help to find new homes as well. So always check with us first, no matter what kind of an animal your family is considering as a pet.
Come Visit Us!
Metro Animal Services
3705 Manslick Rd
PO Box 16346
Louisville, KY 40215
Adoption Hours
Monday & Saturday
10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday
10 a.m. - 6:00pm
Wednesday Friday
10 a.m. - 7:00p.m
Closed Sundays and holidays
Open 24 hours to receive animals
