General Questions

The Animal Care Services Department is operated by both city tax dollars and through fines/fees.  The general operating budget covers basic services including wages, utilities, and maintenance of both the facility and vehicles. The Adoption/Medical fund does not use tax dollars and is supported by fines, fees, and monetary donations.  These donations cover spaying and [...]

Yes! We welcome donations of all kinds - monetary, supplies and people willing to volunteer their time and/or services. Click "Get Involved" to open a web page discussing donations and volunteer opportunities.  Donations made to the shelter are tax-deductible. Monetary donations are deposited in an Adoption-Medical Fund and help to offset the cost of providing spay/neuter procedures, [...]

No, we are not the Humane Society. We are one of the departments of the City of Columbus. We utilize humane ideals and objectives in our operation and adhere to many of the guidelines set forth by nationally recognized Humane Organizations, but technically we are not a "Humane Society" operation. In this area there is [...]

The shelter does not have funds available to help people with spaying or neutering their own pets, but there is a local rescue group called C.A.R.E. that facilitates a low-cost spay/neuter clinic called 'Pets Alive'. Information on pricing and sign-up can be obtained at Specks Pet Store (3860 Carlos Folger Drive, Columbus) and on C.A.R.E.'s [...]

Contact the local shelters (both the city and county) and local veterinarians and give them a description of the pet and your contact information to see if anyone has found or brought in your pet. Create a flyer with a picture of your pet for the shelters and veterinarians to display and also post them [...]

If the animal has a collar, check for tags that might have identification and owner contact information. Rabies tags can be traced throught the veterinarian's office that gave the vaccine. You might try taking the animal on a walk around the neighborhood to see if the owner is out looking for their pet. You can [...]

Outside our normal hours of operation (M-F 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Sat. 10:00 am-noon), City residents can call Central Dispatch at (812) 379-1689 and they will contact an Animal Control officer. You can leave a message on on voicemail at our office - 812.376.2505. We try to respond to any animal related call, anytime, not just [...]

In the Business section of the White Pages, under "COLUMBUS CITY OF-", listed as "Animal Shelter" Our phone number during Office hours (M-F 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Sat. 10:00 am-noon) is 812.376.2505 Outside of normal office hours we can be reached through Central Dispatch at 812.379.1689 Our email address is animalcareservices@columbus.in.gov

The Columbus Animal Shelter's address is: 2730 Arnold Drive (Columbus, IN 47203) The Shelter is located just southeast of the Bakalar Airport at the far east end of Arnold Street - see the Google Map inset on the Homepage. Columbus Animal Control Office Hours are: Monday - Friday 10:00am - 5:00pm Saturdays 10:00am -12:00pm Sundays [...]