Animal shelters in Jefferson County, KY

We list 30 animal shelters and rescues in Jefferson County, Kentucky. Listings come from public map data and may be incomplete, so please call ahead to confirm hours and adoption days.

We list 4 animal control and animal services agencies in Jefferson County. Animal control is run by the city or county; it takes in strays, handles bite reports and animal cruelty complaints, and is usually the first place to look for a lost pet. For an emergency involving a dangerous animal, call 911.

We have not identified a rescue organization in Jefferson County in our sources yet. Many rescues are foster-based and adopt through Petfinder or adoption events without a public address, so it is worth searching nearby towns as well.

Yes. We have identified 2 cat rescues and shelters and 1 bird rescue in Jefferson County, based on the organization's name or source record. Most general shelters take in both dogs and cats, so they are worth checking even when they are not listed under a specific animal.

Call the shelter before you bring an animal in. Many shelters and most rescues take owner surrenders by appointment only, some charge a surrender fee, and some keep a waiting list. Ask whether they offer a rehoming program or pet food and vet assistance first; many surrenders can be avoided with short-term help. The municipal animal control shelter is usually required to accept animals from residents of its city or county.

Start on the shelter's or rescue's own website: most post their adoptable animals there and on Petfinder or Adopt-a-Pet. Visit or call to meet an animal, then fill in an adoption application. Expect to show a photo ID, and if you rent, proof that your landlord allows pets. The adoption fee usually covers spay or neuter surgery, first vaccinations and a microchip. Fees vary by organization and by animal, so ask the shelter directly.