Last year, more than 1,900 pets were surrendered to LMAS for a variety of reasons, from behavioral issues to lack of funds for medical care and food. LMAS strives to increase pet retention so that less pets become homeless shelter animals. If you are considering surrenduring your pet, please explore your options first. There are a number of community pet resources that could help you keep your pet!
Louisville Metro Animal Services will accept owner-surrendered pets by appointment only. Any animal determined by LMAS to be stray, sick, injured or aggressive will be accepted immediately, without an appointment. This process, called managed intake, is an effort to better serve the public and its pets, and reduce the LMAS euthanasia numbers by ensuring there's always space for incoming homeless pets.
Surrendering your pet to an overcrowded shelter could result in a negative outcome for your pet or another pet in the shelter, so please exhaust all options before making the decision to do so. Understand that there are a lot of animals in our community that may need our help more than your own animal. Please explore community pet resources before surrendering your pet.
Behavioral Issues
- Kentucky Humane Society's Free Pet Help Line
Offers free, over-the-phone behavioral advice and referrals
Email: kyhumane.org/help
Website: helpline@kyhumane.org
(502) 509-4PET [4738]
- Saving Sunny Pet Behavior Assistance
Offers over-the-phone behavior advice and referrals
Website: www.savingsunnyinc.org/
Email: behavior@savingsunny.org
- ASPCA Website
Suggestions, tips, and tricks for training and for troubleshooting behavior issues in pets
www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues
www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues
Medical Assistance
- KHS Healthy Pets Program
KHS S.N.I.P. Clinic
Offers low-cost vaccines, flea/tick/heartworm preventatives
Saturdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., no appointment needed
2445 Crittenden Drive, Louisville
Website: kyhumane.org/snip
Email: snip@kyhumane.org
(502) 636-FIX1 [3491]
- Community Cat Help
Provides referrals for community cats with illness or injuries
Alley Cat Advocates
Website: alleycatadvocates.org
Email: contactus@alleycatadvocates.org
(502) 634-8777
- Spay/Neuter Help
Discounted spay/neuter surgeries; free spay/neuter for Pit Bulls
KHS S.N.I.P Clinic
Website: kyhumane.org/snip
Email: snip@kyhumane.org
(502) 636-3491
- Louisville Metro Animal Services
Offers referrals to pets at risk of being surrendered to LMAS
(502) 574-5546
- KHS Free Pet Help Line
Offers referrals to local veterinary clinics
Website: kyhumane.org/help
Email: helpline@kyhumane.org
(502) 509-4738
Pet Food Assistance
- No Kill Louisville Pet Food Bank
First and third Saturdays of the month, appointment only
3135 Commerce Center Place, 40211
Website: nokill-louisville.com
Email: petfoodbank@nokill-louisville.com
(502) 536-8738
- Church of the Advent Pet Food Bank
Third Saturday of the month, 9-11 a.m.
901 Baxter Ave. 40204
(505) 451-6066
- My Dog Eats First
Provides assistance to the homeless and needy
Website: mydogeatsfirst.org
Email: info@mydogeatsfirst.com
(502) 694-2746
Other Resources
- Pet Friendly Apartment Guide
kyhumane.org/resources
(502) 509-4PET [4738]
- Saving Sunny
Their monthly Community Dog Resource Center (CDRC) offers pet food, medications, spay/neuter vouchers and transportation, and in-home behavior assistance as an alternative to surrenduring your pet.
*Opens at 11am and stays open until supplies are gone
640 N 27th St., Portland Neighborhood
Website: Savingsunny.org
- Shamrock Pet Foundation
Provides programs such as spay/neuter, public education and adoption events
Website: shamrockpets.com
(502) 585-3220
- Woodstock Animal Foundation
Finds new homes for surrendered pets
Website: woodstockanimalfoundation.org
Find Pet friendly housing in your area
If after considerable effort, you’ve been unsuccessful in re-homing your pet, you can arrange to surrender your pet to Louisville Metro Animal Services by filling-out and submitting a Pet History form at the LMAS Animal Care Center, located at 3705 Manslick Rd., during business hours. You can also fill-out and a submit a Pet History form online. Click on the link below that applies to you.
Click here for the Dog Pet History Form
Click here for the Cat Pet History Form
Click here for the Non-Cat/Dog Pet History Form
Once LMAS has reviewed the pet history form, a staff member will contact the pet owner within two business days to set an appointment. Owners who surrender their pets will be charged a $25 impoundment fee to help cover the cost of care for their pet. Receiving hours for stray, sick, injured or aggressive animals are from Noon to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The LMAS Animal Care Center is closed Sundays.