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1. My dog is missing. What resources are available to find it?

Photos of all animals currently housed in our animal shelter can be found in a photo gallery (link below). If you see an animal that you believe belongs to you, call (417) 833-3592 or send an e-mail to [email protected] to find out more about viewing and claiming it. We strongly recommend owners view animals in person before assuming it belongs to them.

2. How do I know if I live inside Springfield city limits?

View the following map to see if you live the area. The colored Council zone areas are inside city limits. Zoom in on the map for a more detailed view down to the street level. Springfield city limits map

3. Are there any clinics in the area that provide reduced prices for spay or neuter services?

The Springfield Animal Advocacy Foundation (SAAF) provides reduced prices for spay or neuter services. Visit their website for more information. Springfield Animal Advocacy Foundation

4. How old must my cat or dog be before it can be spayed or neutered?

Consult with your veterinarian, or contact the Springfield Animal Advocacy Foundation. They are able to spay / neuter juvenile animals. Springfield Animal Advocacy Foundation

5. What do I do if I find a bat in my house?

If it is just one bat, try to confine it to one room of the house and call Animal Control at (417) 833-3592.

6. How old must a cat or dog be to receive the rabies vaccine?

Animals should typically be 16 weeks of age before receiving their rabies vaccine. Check with your vet if you have additional questions.

7. How often do I have to register my pit bull or pit bull mix?

You must renew your pit bull registration annually. The fee for renewal is $50.

8. There are feral cats in my neighborhood inside the Springfield city limits. Can you help?

You can rent a trap from the Springfield Animal Advocacy Foundation (417-831-7223) if you are trying to catch a feral cat that you want to have spayed or neutered. Or you can purchase a trap at a farm supply store. Once you have trapped a cat, you can call (417) 833-3592 to contact Animal Control, and officers will pick it up. Animal Control only sets traps for cats that have been confirmed to have bitten a human. SAAF website

9. Can a monkey be a service animal?

No. Please see the following webpage for service animal regulations. Americans with Disabilities Act Fact Sheet

10. My neighbor has chickens in his backyard. What can Animal Control enforce on that situation?

City ordinance allows a resident to have up to six hens. If that number has been exceeded, or chickens are running loose, please call (417) 833-3592.

11. There is a dog in a car with the windows rolled up, and it is very hot/cold outside. Whom should I call?

Please call 9-1-1.

12. Why doesn’t the shelter adopt directly to individuals?

Space is very limited at our current location, and many times there will be several animals in the same cage or kennel. There is no separate area for prospective adopters to interact with individual animals. However, we have found success teaming with partner agencies who specialize in animal adoption.

We rely on our numerous rescue partners to decide which animals are going to make the best pets for people. Once they pull animals from our shelter, they quarantine them for at least two weeks to make sure they are healthy. Spay/neuter procedures will also take place while the animal is in care of the rescue, along with many other standard health tests for conditions such as heartworm or feline leukemia. By adopting out animals in this manner, we see less than 1% of animals return to the shelter.

13. Who can bring an animal to the animal shelter?

Individuals who live inside the city limits of Springfield, Missouri can bring a dog or cat to the shelter. You must bring proof of residency. The animal must also be from inside the city limits. There is a $20 fee for surrendering animals. Please call (417) 833-3592 in advance to verify that there are openings for cats.