Animal Control

Program Overview

The goal of the Animal Control program is to reunite dogs with their owners, facilitate adoptions by approved rescue partners and protect residents from animals running at large.

Shelter Operations

Dogs will be held at the Animal Shelter for a minimum of five days, including weekends and holidays.

Hours

Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 9:30am, Noon - 1:00pm (no calls, in person visits only), 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Saturday, Sunday, and holidays
- 8:30am - 9:30am
- 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Outside of normal business hours, please call 9-1-1.

If you have lost a dog, please review the photos or visit the Animal Shelter in person during hours of operation to view the dogs being held there. Staff cannot go by descriptions over the phone to help you decide if your dog is being held.

Animal Control Officers do not maintain a lost and found list, nor do they facilitate individual adoptions at the shelter. The shelter receives animals by appointment only and does not accept pets from outside Springfield city limits, except for dogs from the Urban Animal Control Area.

Animals that are not claimed by their owner within five days may be eligible for adoption by qualified animal rescue agencies. Review the Animal Rescue Procedures for more information. Agencies that meet the qualifications may apply by calling 417-864-1449. Individuals who are interested in adopting a dog from the Animal Shelter should contact CARE.

Staff members take photos of dogs that are picked up or brought in to the Animal Shelter. These photos are posted on this website Monday through Friday, except on holidays. Photos may not reflect all dogs being held at the shelter at the time you view them. If you do not see a dog you believe may be at the shelter, please visit the shelter in person during the hours of operations as listed below to view all dogs held there.

Animals may be claimed by their owner at the Animal Shelter during hours of operation. To find the shelter, travel north on Kansas Expressway across Kearney. You will come to four stoplights in a row. The last stop light is Norton Road. Turn right on Norton Road, then make an immediate left turn onto the outer road which is Kansas Avenue. Drive slowly and follow the blue and the green signs to the shelter. View map

To claim a dog at the shelter, the owner must pay all fees in cash or with a debit or credit card (no coins, please). Owners will need to show a valid state I.D. and proof of current address and phone number. Summons will be issued at the time of pickup for any applicable animal control violations.

The City of Springfield provides this facility as a service to the citizens of Springfield, and to protect public health. The City assumes no liability or responsibility for an animal received in this facility, other than to provide humane care for the duration of custody.

Services

Animal Control Officers also provide the following animal related services:

Enforce the City of Springfield's leash law.
Enforce the City of Springfield's pit bull ordinance which requires owners to follow specific guidelines in order to keep pit bulls inside Springfield city limits.
Enforce rabies vaccination regulations.
Issue tickets for dogs running at large, for dogs not displaying a current rabies tag and for cats who do not have proof of current rabies vaccination.
Investigate animal bites.
Investigate animal cruelty or animal neglect inside Springfield city limits.
Trap animals when necessary after a bite, dogs running at large, or skunks (to reduce the risk of rabies exposure to humans).
Provide limited services within the Urban Animal Control Services Area.
Manage the Animal Shelter, located at 4002 North Farmer in Springfield.