This is the Volunteer Petfinder Website for the Rutherford County TN Shelter (PAWS) located in Murfreesboro TN. 37128

Our Adoptable Pet List

Time is very important.
Please don't delay, get there today.
You may be the only chance they have.

About this shelter
Pet Adoption and Welfare Services. PAWS is working in partnership with the community to create a safe, healthy and caring environment for both our citizens and animals through education and courteous, effective enforcement of the laws relating to animals within the Tennessee Code Annotated. This is a high volume public shelter responsible for accepting owner surrender animals, stray animals, as well as all other animal control operations in Rutherford County TN. At any given time there are as many as 60 -100 adoptable pets in the adoption rooms, and often as many strays being held in the back hoping to be reclaimed by their owners, or for their chance to move up to an adoption room to find a new home.
Housed in a clean and modern facility in Murfreesboro, stray animals are given 3-5 days for their owners to come claim them, and then all adoptable animals are given as much time as space and health allows to find a new home, or for a rescue group to take them in. Sick or unadopted animals are humanely sedated and euthenized to prevent the spread of disease and/or to control shelter overpopulation.
If you are looking for a pet to adopt, please view Our Adoptable Pet List. The information is about 2 hours old.
If you are looking for your lost pet in Rutherford County please go to PetHarbor.com. That information is updated hourly.
If you are motivated, and are looking for a way to help the homeless animals of our county, this shelter has an in house volunteer and education program, as well as a group of extra dedicated volunteers who work with animal rescue groups, transport organizations, and local fosters to provide all types of valuable services for this shelter and the animals confined here. If you would like to help, find out more below.

Adopting a pet from PAWS
Pets require a lot of your time, love and attention. The costs of owning a pet include food, vaccinations, regular vet care and testing, licensing, boarding, training and vet care during emergencies. Please consider these requirements when adopting a pet and be sure you are willing to commit to a new family member who will be with you for the next 10-15 years.

If an animal is already spayed/neutered, the adoption fee is $48. This fee includes the following: First distemper combination shot, first deworming, heartworm test for dogs, feline leukemia/FIV test for cats, and an $11 voucher for the required first year rabies shots. You can take your new pet home with you today!
There is a $80 adoption fee for any animal that has not been neutered or spayed. This fee includes the following: First distemper combination shot, first deworming, heartworm test for dogs, feline leukemia/FIV test for cats, a $32 voucher towards the spay / neuter surgery, and an $11 voucher for the required first year rabies shots.
Spay/Neuter is mandatory for all animals adopted from the shelter. The surgery will be scheduled with a local veterinarian of your choice at the time of adoption. Please realize that you may not be able to leave with your pet the same day. All adopted animals scheduled for surgery must be transported by PAWS staff. You should prepare to pick up your new pet from the veternarian's office after surgery, and pay any balance due.
You must be at least 18 years of age to adopt a pet and provide a current drivers license or state ID.
Proof of pet deposit must be presented prior to adoption if you live in a rental property. PAWS will need to call your landlord to verify, please have the number handy. Pets cannot be adopted out to you without verification.
Proof of all other animals in home are up to date on all shots, and are spayed or nutered. Please have your Vet's phone number handy so we can call and verify.
All adoptions are subject to verification and approval of a signed Pet Adoption Application and Agreement.
The shelter cannot hold pets. You must come in person to adopt a pet from this shelter.
Please bring cash or local check. PAWS cannot process credit or debit cards.

Volunteers Needed
If you are 18 or older, and would like to volunteer at the PAWS shelter, your help is most appreciated. Please fill out a Volunteer Application and Agreement and bring, mail, or fax to the shelter. Upon approval, and after attending an orientation class (see schedule below), you can help PAWS provide some comfort for the homeless pets in this facility by coming in during business hours and walking the dogs, grooming dirty dogs, helping w/ special needs pets, or working to keep the kennels and cat cages clean. If you like working with the public, door greeters are always needed to help out at the front desk. If you have a digital camera and an email address, you can help any pet at PAWS by sending pics and/or bio to rcpawsvolunteer to be used on this website and other rescue networks to help them find a new home.

Rescue Volunteers Needed
If you are an approved PAWS Volunteer, and would like to get more involved in saving the homeless pets at the shelter, sign up to be contacted by a PAWS Volunteer Rescue Coordinator when a ride or a foster home is needed to save a PAWS animal, or when an approved rescue group needs a local representative to help w/ rescue efforts. Your offer to help quite often makes all the difference in a homeless pet's life.

Rescue Groups Needed
If you are an animal rescue group interested in pulling dogs/cats from this shelter, please fax your Rescue Application to the shelter for approval.



Rutherford County P.A.W.S.
285 John Rice Blvd
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Phone (615) 898-7740
Fax (615) 898-7994

Open Noon till 6PM Mon - Fri // 11AM - 2PM Sat
Closed Sundays and Holidays

Rutherford County Official Website
Pet Adoption Application and Agreement
Directions to this shelter
Vets that take PAWS vouchers
Contact this website

PAWS Volunteer Training classes.
October 2 @ 4:00pm
October 7 @ 4:00pm
October 23 @ 4:00pm
October 28 @ 4:00pm











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