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Adopt

Search and see photos of adoptable pets in the Columbus, OH area.

Find a pet to adopt

Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center

4340 Tamarack Blvd., Columbus, OH 43229

Contact visit shelter
Email
Phone (614) 525-3647
dogs at Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center
This shelter hasn't posted any pets that match these criteria.

Areas Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center serves

We are a large municipal dog shelter serving the citizens of Franklin County. Last year nearly 10,000 dogs and puppies entered the shelter. The majority of the dogs we offer for adoption are unclaimed lost dogs or owner turn-ins. Last year we adopted, returned or rescued 8,162 dogs and puppies.

Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center's adoption process

1.

Visit the Facility and Find a Pet

Additional adoption info

The first step to adopting one of our dogs or puppies is visiting with our adoptable dogs. When you come to the shelter, you will meet with an Adoption Counselor and have a conversation about your lifestyle, needs and what type of dog you are interested in adopting. After finding the right match for your family, you will meet with the dog and decide if adoption is right for you.

Small dogs and puppies are extremely popular! These are usually adopted within 48 hours of the time we move them to the adoption floor. For best selection, plan to visit on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday mornings.

Don't forget to check out our foster dogs that are also available for adoption, but may not be out on the adoption floor because they are living in foster homes. If you are interested in adopting a dog in a foster home, please email foster@franklincountyohio.gov.

The adoption fee for puppies and dogs under 5 years old is $123 (includes dog license, vaccinations, spay or neuter, and microchip). Some dogs may be discounted to $73 including all dogs 5 years or older, and our Shelter Favorites who have been here longer than most are waived adoption fees. These dogs may be adopted for just the price of the dog license, $18.

We accept cash, checks, or credit cards with proper identification at the Franklin County Dog Shelter for adoptions and license tags.

About Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center

We provide compassionate care for impounded animals at the shelter, as well as adoption and lost dog services to the community. We also educate the public and teach dog owners to be more responsible citizens.

Our mission is to enforce the dog laws in Franklin County and keep the public safe from animal-related health or safety dangers.

We respond to service requests, investigate complaints about nuisance, dangerous and vicious dogs, investigate dog bites, impound stray and dangerous dogs, file criminal charges, make court appearances, and assist the police in crimes involving dogs, injuries caused by dogs and livestock attacks.

Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center's adopted pets

Make a donation to Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center to help homeless pets find homes

Adopt a Pet is the easiest way for you to search for a new pet in Columbus, OH.

Support adoption and rescue. Why go to a dog breeder, cat breeder or pet store to buy a dog or buy a cat when you can adopt?

Why should you adopt?

Dog adoption and cat adoption saves lives. Adopt a dog or adopt a cat and you'll have a friend for life.

What is the difference between adopting a dog, adopting a cat, adopting a kitten or adopting a puppy versus getting dogs for sale, cats for sale, puppies for sale or kittens for sale from a dog breeder or a cat breeder?

When someone is breeding puppies or breeding kittens, they are creating new dogs and cats who need homes. Some people are interested in a very specific breed of dog, cat, puppy or kitten and they think the only way to find that specific breed is to buy a dog for sale or buy a cat for sale from a puppy breeder or a kitten breeder. Yet animal shelters are filled with dogs and cats who must find homes.

So rather than buying a dog or puppy for sale from a dog breeder or buying a cat or kitten for sale from a cat breeder, we encourage people to adopt a dog, adopt a cat, adopt a puppy or adopt a kitten at their local animal shelter, SPCA, humane society or pet rescue group.