Animal Shelters in Allen County, Indiana

Last Updated: August 2026

Allen County residents have two major local shelter resources: Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control for stray, lost and found animals and municipal animal services, and Humane Fort Wayne for pet adoption and other animal-support programs.

Quick Answer

For a stray or lost pet, start with Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control at 260-427-1244.

For pet adoption, also check Humane Fort Wayne at 260-744-0454.

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control is the municipal animal shelter serving Fort Wayne and an important resource for stray animals throughout Allen County.

Address:
3020 Hillegas Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46808

Phone: 260-427-1244

Visit Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control

Services include:

  • Stray animal sheltering
  • Lost and found pets
  • Pet adoptions
  • Animal control
  • Animal bite response
  • Cruelty and neglect investigations
  • Pet-owner resources

Animals picked up as lost pets throughout Allen County are brought to the shelter so owners can attempt to reclaim them.

Humane Fort Wayne

Humane Fort Wayne is a nonprofit, no-kill animal welfare organization offering pet adoptions, veterinary services, fostering and pet-owner assistance.

Sharon Bodenhafer Critter Center
901 St. Francis Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46808

Shelter Phone: 260-744-0454

Shelter Hours:
Tuesday–Friday: 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Monday: Closed

Visit Humane Fort Wayne

Which Shelter Should I Contact?

The right place depends on what you need.

I Found a Stray Pet

Start with Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control.

Phone: 260-427-1244

Animals picked up as lost pets throughout Allen County are taken there for reclaim.

I Lost My Pet

Check Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control first.

The shelter holds unclaimed stray animals for a required period before they can move forward in the shelter system.

Check frequently because new animals arrive regularly.

I Want to Adopt

Check both Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control and Humane Fort Wayne.

View Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control

View Humane Fort Wayne Adoptable Pets

Humane Fort Wayne offers dogs and cats for adoption. Approved adoption applications are currently valid for six months, and adopters must be at least 21 years old.

Adopting From Humane Fort Wayne

Humane Fort Wayne’s adoption process starts with an online application.

Once approved, you can visit the shelter and meet available pets.

All pets available for adoption through Humane Fort Wayne are spayed or neutered and current on vaccinations. Adopted pets are also microchipped.

See Humane Fort Wayne Adoptable Pets

Need to Surrender a Pet?

Don’t simply arrive at a shelter expecting immediate surrender.

Shelters may have:

  • Limited space
  • Intake procedures
  • Appointment requirements
  • Eligibility requirements
  • Alternatives to surrender

Humane Fort Wayne provides resources for people who need to surrender or rehome a pet.

View Humane Fort Wayne Pet Surrender Help

Contact the shelter before bringing an animal in.

Can’t Afford to Keep Your Pet?

Before surrendering a pet because of financial hardship, check available assistance.

Humane Fort Wayne offers programs that may help pet owners with:

  • Free pet food
  • Veterinary-care assistance
  • Spay/neuter assistance
  • Temporary foster care
  • Support for homebound pet owners

View Humane Fort Wayne Pet Assistance

These programs are intended to help keep pets with their families when possible.

Temporary Foster Help

Humane Fort Wayne also offers a Compassion Foster program for qualifying Allen County residents experiencing certain emergencies.

Qualifying situations can include:

  • Loss of housing after a fire, flood or natural disaster
  • Medical treatment when no family member can care for the pet
  • Domestic violence and temporary residence in a crisis shelter

Space is limited and applications are reviewed individually.

Learn About Compassion Foster

Low-Cost Veterinary Services

Humane Fort Wayne also operates a veterinary clinic offering affordable preventive services.

Humane Fort Wayne Spay/Neuter & Wellness Clinic
1333 Maycrest Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Phone: 260-420-7729

Services include:

  • Vaccinations
  • Wellness care
  • Low-cost spay/neuter
  • Microchipping
  • Preventive care
  • Community cat services

View Humane Fort Wayne Clinic Services

Found Kittens or Outdoor Cats?

Don’t automatically assume every outdoor cat should be taken to a shelter.

Some are community cats, and Humane Fort Wayne operates programs specifically for free-roaming cats in Fort Wayne and Allen County.

Their Community Cat program includes a low-cost sterilization package for qualifying free-roaming, unowned cats.

View Humane Fort Wayne Community Programs

Before Visiting a Shelter

Before going:

  • Call or check the website first.
  • Confirm current hours.
  • Check whether an appointment is required.
  • Ask about surrender procedures before bringing in your own pet.
  • Bring identification if reclaiming an animal.
  • Bring proof of ownership if available.
  • Check adoption requirements before visiting to adopt.

Shelter hours and intake availability can change.

Local Tip

Use Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control first when you’re trying to locate a missing pet. Stray animals picked up throughout Allen County are brought there for owners to reclaim.

If you’re looking to adopt, check both Animal Care & Control and Humane Fort Wayne. Their available animals change regularly, so checking both gives you more options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the main animal shelter in Allen County?

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control is located at 3020 Hillegas Road, Fort Wayne.

Where is Humane Fort Wayne?

Humane Fort Wayne’s Sharon Bodenhafer Critter Center is at 901 St. Francis Drive, Fort Wayne.

Where should I look for my lost pet?

Start with Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control, particularly if the animal may have been picked up as a stray.

Can I adopt from Humane Fort Wayne if I don’t live in Allen County?

Yes. Humane Fort Wayne says people outside Allen County can adopt if their application is approved.

Does Humane Fort Wayne offer low-cost veterinary care?

Yes. Its Maycrest Drive clinic offers low-cost wellness and spay/neuter services.

Related Pages

Official Resources

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control
3020 Hillegas Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Phone: 260-427-1244

Humane Fort Wayne
901 St. Francis Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Phone: 260-744-0454

Summary

Allen County residents have two major local shelter resources. Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control is the place to start for stray animals, lost pets and animal-control services, while Humane Fort Wayne provides pet adoptions, fostering, low-cost veterinary care and assistance for pet owners. If you’ve lost an animal, check Animal Care & Control first; if you’re looking to adopt, check both shelters for currently available pets.