311 HelpA to Z Services

Denver Animal Shelter

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Injured or Sick Animals
  • Vicious Animals
  • Animal Bites
  • Animal Cruelty

To report an animal emergency, please CALL 720- 913-1311 or 311

The Denver Municipal Animal Shelter tracks pet statistics such as redemptions, adoptions, transfers, and euthanisia rate through the Asilomar Accord, a national model which is designed to provide a uniform method for tracking pet statistics. Yearly and monthly reports can be found here.

Denver Animal Shelter offers basic behavior training for your pet on Saturday afternoon.

For registration and fee information contact us at:

DEHBehavior.Modification@denvergov.org

This will be a four class series dealing with specific behavior issues related to your furry family member!

- Aggression Issues
- Barking
- Dog - Dog Relations
- Fear Issues
- Housing Soiling
- Jumping Up
- Separation Anxiety

Cat classes will consist of:

- Cat - Cat Aggression
- Cat - Dog Aggression
- Cat Scratching
- Destruction
- Fear
- House Soiling

 

Training will be provided by: Tanya Cardwell of

Dog-n-Cat Behavior Solutions, LLC.

 

 

 

 

What do I do if a dog or cat bites me?  
Colorado revised statute 25-4-603 requires all animal bites be reported within twelve (12) hours.
To report a dog or cat bite you will need to call the County where the bite happened, not where the owner of the dog or cat lives. If you were bitten in the City and County of Denver you would report the animal bite to the Division of Animal Control at  720- 913-1311 or 311. Other wise check the listing for out of county agencies.

 

Reptiles and squirrels are not carriers of rabies and therefore are not quarantined for rabies. You do not need to report the bite. We do suggest that you contact your doctor.

What if my dog or cat bites someone?
Colorado revised statute 25-4-603 requires all animal bites be reported within twelve (12) hours.
To report a dog or cat bite you will need to call the out of county agency where the bite happened, not where you live. If your pet bit in the City and County of Denver you would report the animal bite to the Division of Animal Control at 720- 913-1311 or 3-1-1. Your pet will be quarantined for ten (10) days from the date of the bite. Each bite case is handled individually.  

 

Where do I go to reclaim my pet?
If your pet is impounded by Denver Animal Care and Control you will need to go to 1241 W Bayaud Ave, during business hours which are Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Closed Sunday's and Holiday's. You may also call us during business hours at 720-913-1311 or 311.

What will you need to bring when you pick up your pet?
1. A Drivers license or ID with your current address.
2. If your address is not current please provide paperwork with proof of current address. You will need to pay the fee by cash, visa or master card.
3. Your Pets Rabies vaccination certificate and spay / neuter certificate is required.
4. Proof of ownership.

Re-Claim Fees
Impoundment Animal Code Sections 8-152 & 8-155 (d)

The redemption fees include impoundment, boarding and a medical service fee. Fees for subsequent impoundments increase incrementally.

Medical Service Fee: $30.00 per animal

First time impoundment plus boarding fee(s):
Dog / Cat $45.00
Fowl / Bird $45.00
Other animals $45.00
Livestock $150.00
Restricted (Pitbull) Breeds $100.00

Second time impoundment plus boarding fee(s):
Dog / Cat $60.00
Other animals $60.00

Boarding Fee(s) begin day of impoundment:
Dog / Cat $9.00
Fowl / Bird $5.00
Other animals $9.00
Livestock $30.00
Restricted (Pitbull) Breeds $15.00

Administrative Citation (AC)  payments are received at the following location:

Hours of payment: Monday - Friday 10:00am - 2:00pm

Denver Permit Center
200 W. 14th Ave, (Atrium)
Denver, CO 80204-2732
720- 913-1311 or 311

 

General Violation Summons (GV) payments are received at the following location:
Justice Center
520 W Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80204
(720) 337-0845

To report a barking dog, call the Denver Animal Care and Control 720- 913-1311 or 3-1-1 to report a problem. We take complaints for the City and County of Denver. If the dog barking problem is in another county you must call that Animal Control Agency.  See Denver Animal Laws
Who do I call for dead animal removal?
Denver Animal Care and Control does not pick up dead animals, you may call the Agencies listed below for this service.
 
Dead animal collection 
Denver 3-1-1 or (720- 913-1311)

Dead animals on the highway

State Department 303-757-9514 (M-F  8-5)

Colorado Highway Patrol 303-239-4501 (afterhours)

Non-domesticated WILDLIFE

Colorado Divison of Wildlife during business hours at 303-291-7227

or 303-291-7373 

Can I bring my deceased animal to you?

The Denver Municipal Animal Shelter does not pick up dead animals, but if you are a resident of the City and County of Denver you may bring your pet or the animal here during normal business hours and we will dispose of it at no cost toyou.

Visit the Denver Parks and Recreation website

for more information on Denver's dog park locations.

Food Producing Animals (FPAs) Zoning Ordinance (CB11-0151) was adopted by the Denver City Council on Monday, June 20, 2011.  The ordinance is effective on Friday, June 24, 2011, and includes changes to the Denver Revised Municipal Code, Chapter 8 - Animal Control, Chapter 36 - Noise Control, and to the Denver Zoning Code.

In summary, the ordinance allows for up to 8 chickens (no roosters )  or ducks (no drakes) (or any combination of such fowl), plus 2 dwarf goats to be raised on a property, provided a “restricted livestock or fowl license” is obtained from the Department of Environmental Health / Animal Care and Control (ACC) Division.  Licenses are issued in-person by Animal Care and Control, located at 1241 West Bayaud Avenue, Denver, CO.

Starting Friday, June 24, 2011, ACC will issue the restricted licenses subject to the licensee’s future payment of a fee (they will be billed) and compliance with any future rules and regulations adopted by DEH.  DEH adoption of a license fee and additional rules is targeted for August 2011.

For more detailed information about the new FPA Zoning ordinance and the specific standards adopted, please click here.  Additional information is also available by calling Denver 3-1-1. 

Animal Care & Control  Food Producing Animals Ordinance Section 8-91(b)

Food Producing Animals Zoning Ordinance (CB11-0151)

Food Producing Animals Best Practice Handout 

Informacíon de Animales Productores de Alimentos (APA)

Producing Animals Food Safety Bulletin

Food Producing Animals Application


Donation Wish List

Donations accepted at: 

Denver Animal Shelter 
1241 W. Bayaud Ave
 Denver, CO  80223 

  • Timothy Hay - Guinea pigs & Rabbits
  • Blankets
  • Towels
  • Newspaper
  • Pine shavings - small critter bedding
  • Training Treats and/or Natural Balance Treats
  • Old, clean linens to make beds
  • Laundry detergent
  • Hand sanitizer
  • KMR (Kitten milk replacement) - powder form - Available from pet stores
  • Canned kitten/puppy food
  • ESBILAC (Puppy milk replacement) - powder form - available from pet stores
  • Baby food - beef and chicken flavor
  • Cat litter
  • Litter/Pooper scoopers
  • Treats and Toys for dogs and cats
  • Small dog collars
  • Long choke chains, Leashes
  • Ferret hammocks
  • Guinea pig Igloos
  • Fish food
  • Any exotic animal supplies
  • Small animal supplies (Ferret toys, hamster tubes, etc)
  • Miscellaneous pet items
  • Kuranda Pet Beds   

For Office, Adoption, Animal Visitation and Redemption hours and locations, see Contact Us.

Read the fact sheet for Mice and Rat problems.

What is an Intact Animal Permit?
An intact permit allows you to keep your pet from being spayed or neutered. Denver has a mandatory spay/neuter law.

How can I get an Intact Permit?
You may choose any of the following options:
  • Call the Division of Animal Care and Control at (720) 337-1800, we can mail you an application.
  • Come in to the office located at 1241 W Bayaud Ave, Denver,CO 80223,  to pick up the intact permit application in person
  • Or you can simply download the Application For Intact Permit

 

Once the application is completed and the necessary documents are submitted to the Division of Animal Care and Control allow 5 business days to process your application, you cannot obtain a permit the same day of application.
 
If it is approved or denied you will be notified by telephone.
 
Annual Intact Permit Fee: (Animal Code Sections 8-152(a)(6) 
$150.00
What if I am not approved for the permit?

If you are not approved for the permit, you will need to either spay or neuter your pet or you can call the Division of Animal Control at (720) 337-1800 and find out why you were denied the permit. Then you can fix the problem and reapply. If you are still denied you will need to have your pet spayed or neutered.

Denver's leash laws are intended to protect the health and safety of both the people and pets who enjoy visiting Denver's many parks and open areas.  Pet owners who violate this ordinance are subject to a fine.  More information on Denver's Leash Law.
What is a Livestock or Fowl permit? 
A Livestock or Fowl permit allows you to keep livestock or fowl such as hens, chickens, roosters, potbelly pigs, etc. on your property.
 
How do I obtain a permit to keep livestock or fowl on my property?
In order to obtain a livestock or fowl permit you must first send a (pre-approval letter) to the Director of the Division of Animal Care and Control,1241 W Bayaud Ave, Denver, CO  80223, with the following information:
  •  Your name, address, phone number.
  • The number of each type of livestock or fowl you are attempting to house on your property
  •  Size of area where animal(s) will be held.
  • Vets name, address and phone number.
  • Indicate if the animal is spayed or neutered.
  • Indicate where they dispose of excrement.
  • List of vaccinations animal has received
  1. If the request is approved a pre-approval letter will be issued to the owner.
  2. The owner must contact zoning to finalize request (720) 865-3000.

If Zoning approves the request, the owner will need to send a copy of the zoning approval letter to the Director of Animal Control. 

The owner then must purchase the permit from the following location:
Denver Animal Shelter
1241 W Bayaud Ave
Denver, CO  80223
720- 913-1311 
Annual Permit Fee: (Animal Code Section 8-91)
Livestock $100.00
Fowl $50.00 


For Food Producing Animals (Ducks, chickens, goats, etc.)  please see "Food Producing Animals" under the FAQ Tab.


Tuesday - Friday 10:30am - 5:00pm.
Denver Animal Shelter will microchip your dog or cat for $25. 
Your pet must be over two pounds (2lbs) to receive a microchip. 
 
You do not have to be a Denver County resident, we want to ensure if any pet gets lost it will be returnted back to the owner. 
 
A microchip identification implant can identify your pet if it loses its collar. Most shelters can scan pets for this type of ID, and your contact information is kept on a shared registry.
Where can I take my pet if I am no longer able to care for or keep?

City and County of Denver residents only are allowed to bring in their pet to the:
Denver Animal Shelter
1241 W Bayaud Ave
Denver, CO  80223
Business hours are Monday - Saturday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm. Closed Sunday's and Holiday's.   Note*: An animal control officer will not be provided to pick up an owner relinquishment.  

I am disabled and/or don’t have transportation to take my pet to the animal shelter?

A City and County of Denver resident may contact animal control and speak to a supervisor for assistance regarding an owner relinquishment.

Where can I take my pet for euthanasia?

City and County of Denver residents only may bring in their pet to the Denver Animal Shelter.  A $50.00 fee will be assessed for this service.  The animal shelter is located at 1241 W Bayaud Ave, Denver, CO  80223, during business hours which are Monday - Saturday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm. Closed Sunday's and Holiday's.

Where can I take my pet if I am not a Denver County resident?

You will need to contact your local animal shelter or animal control agency.

To report animal cruelty in the Denver Metro Area call the Animal Control Department in your location.  Link to departments.

Do I have to get my pet spayed or neutered if I live in Denver County?

Denver County does have mandatory spay or neuter laws, they are as follows:
    Section 8-70. Spaying and neutering.
 

The Denver Animal Shelter is scheduling appointments on Thursdays to spay and neuter your pet at a reasonable cost.

    Denver Animal Shelter

    1241 W Bayaud Ave

    Denver, CO 80223

    Map and animal shelter information.

 

To schedule an appointment please contact 720-913-1311. A 311 agent will take your information for an animal shelter representative to contact you.

Your pet must be 12 weeks of age and must have a current distemper/parvo vaccination. If your pet does not have a current vaccination, click on the link provided for our rabies vaccination clinic.

 

Spay (Female) Fee: Cat - $40.00** Dog - $60.00**

Neuter (Male) Fee: Cat - $25.00** Dog - $50.00**

**Other fees may apply. Please contact the animal shelter for information.


What if I do not want my Pet spayed or neutered?

You may apply for an intact permit which may allow you to keep your pet intact, providing that your pet has not had numerous violations. To download the application Intact Permit Application.  The application will take about one week to process. 

The intact permit fee is $150.00 per year.
What if I do not want my Pet spayed or neutered? You may apply for an intact permit which may allow you to keep your pet intact, providing that your pet has not had numerous violations. To download the application. The application will take about one week to process. The intact permit fee is per year.

 

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