OKC Shelter

Visit the OKCAWD (Animal Welfare Division) web site!

The Oklahoma City Animal Shelter (405-297-3100) is open for adopting or reclaiming pets from noon to 5:45 p.m. every day except holidays at SE 29 & Bryant, 1.5 miles east of I-35.  Unwanted animals may be dropped off any day between 9 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. There are after-hour emergency drop-off cages available when the receiving office is closed. They can be accessed by entering the front door of the shelter.

The Animal Welfare Division is responsible for promoting public health and safety, for temporarily sheltering and providing humane disposition of unwanted or lost animals, and for promoting animal welfare so that pet ownership is a pleasure for owners without becoming a burden to the community.

Untagged animals are held at the OKC Animal Shelter for three working days, not including the day the animal was brought into the shelter. (Holidays are not included, since the shelter is closed for viewing.)

Tagged animals are held at the OKC Animal Shelter for five working days not including the day the animal was brought into the shelter. (Holidays are not included, since the shelter is closed for viewing.) An animal is considered as “ID’d” if it has a tag, microchip, visible tattoo, rabies tag or other identification whereby an owner may be contacted.

Rabies vaccinations are required for all dogs, cats and ferrets. They must be administered under the supervision of a veterinarian licensed to practice in the State of Oklahoma. City ordinance states that your dog or cat must be wearing its rabies tag at all times!

Leash laws in Oklahoma City require that dogs and puppies be on a leash or otherwise confined at all times. There is not a leash law for cats, however the owners of roaming cats may be cited for allowing their animals to trespass. Residents may borrow humane traps from the Shelter to capture nuisance animals for impoundment.

Livestock (horses, cattle, pigs, etc.) are not allowed in the City limits unless housed on at least one acre of land and as zoning permits.

The maximum number of animals allowed within City limits is no more than four adult cats and/or four adult dogs.

Trap Loan Information

Oklahoma City residents may borrow a trap to capture nuisance animals within City limits.

• Traps are loaned for one week.
• If an animal is caught in the trap, it may be brought into the Shelter and staff will empty the trap for you. NOTE: The OKC Shelter does NOT accept skunks.