Humane Shelter

This article explains how residents in and around Prattville can work with the Autauga County AL Humane Shelter to adopt, foster, volunteer, report lost or found pets, and use county resources when needed. You’ll find step-by-step guidance for adoptions, detailed instructions for reuniting pets with families, practical prevention tips, and clear direction on when to coordinate with county departments. The goal is simple: make it easy for Autauga County neighbors to protect animals, strengthen public safety, and build a humane community.

Understand the Shelter’s Role in Autauga County

The Prattville/Autauga Humane Society (often referred to locally as the county’s humane shelter) operates as the community’s hub for pet adoptions, care, and owner support. Located in Prattville, the shelter provides daily animal care, adoption counseling, and essential intake services. Normal lobby hours are Monday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the shelter is closed on Sundays.

On intake and before adoption, the shelter prioritizes wellness and responsible pet ownership. Cats and dogs adopted through the shelter are microchipped (with registration), dewormed, and vaccinated as required by age and law. Spay/neuter is completed or scheduled, and adopters receive guidance for a smooth transition home. That combination—health screening, permanent ID, and sterilization—reduces strays, improves public health, and supports the county’s broader animal-control strategy.

When you need general information, hours, or contact options, use the official shelter homepage at the Prattville/Autauga Humane Society website for the most current details and service descriptions. Visit the official shelter homepage on the Prattville/Autauga Humane Society website.

Plan Your Visit and Set Expectations

Showing up prepared helps the shelter team serve you faster and helps pets get to the right homes. Bring a government-issued ID, and plan for a conversation about your household, lifestyle, and any current pets. If you have a particular animal in mind, arrive early in the day when staff can answer detailed questions and help with a meet-and-greet.

To streamline the experience:

Review adoption eligibility, steps, and documentation so you know what to expect at the counter.

Plan for a safe ride home with an appropriate carrier (for cats and small dogs) or a secure leash and properly fitted collar or harness.

Budget both time and funds; while the adoption process is straightforward, it includes paperwork and counseling so that each match is set up to succeed.

You can preview requirements and prepare documents ahead of time by reading the adoption steps and requirements published by the shelter on its official site: see adoption steps and requirements on the How to Adopt page.

Adopt a Pet with Confidence: Fees, What’s Included, and How Matching Works

Follow a Clear, People-First Adoption Path

The shelter’s adoption program emphasizes education, transparency, and long-term fit. Staff and volunteers use experience-based matching to help adopters pick an animal that fits their energy level, housing, and family routine. You’ll discuss feeding, enrichment, exercise, and training basics, and you’ll receive take-home guidance for the first few weeks.

To understand the full process—application, counseling, and pickup timing—review the shelter’s official How to Adopt guidance. You’ll find what documents to bring, how meet-and-greets work with existing pets, and timing considerations for spay/neuter scheduling. Learn more in the shelter’s adoption steps and requirements on the How to Adopt page.

Know the Adoption Fees and Exactly What They Cover

Cats and kittens: $75
Dogs and puppies: $120

Adoption fees support a comprehensive package that typically includes a microchip with registration, age-appropriate vaccinations required by law, deworming, spay/neuter (or a spay/neuter plan, when medically necessary to delay), and a courtesy exam at participating veterinary offices. These services reduce unexpected costs after you bring a pet home and ensure compliance with health and welfare standards in Autauga County.

Pro tip for first-time adopters: Ask the shelter team about the pet’s routine—feeding schedule, favorite toys, and known triggers—so you can mirror what the animal already knows during the first several days. That continuity lowers stress and helps the new pet settle into your home more quickly.

Open Your Home Temporarily: Foster to Save Space and Lives

See How Fostering Prevents Overcrowding and Builds Adoptability

Foster families are a vital extension of the shelter’s capacity. By keeping litters, recovering animals, and behaviorally shy pets in quiet homes, fosters free up kennel space and help animals blossom. Typical foster cases include:

Very young kittens or puppies who need bottle-feeding or frequent meals
Nursing mothers with litters who need calm, temperature-controlled rooms
Pets recovering from surgery or illness that require short-term monitoring
Animals undergoing heartworm treatment that need a restful home
Undersocialized cats or dogs who benefit from patient, one-on-one attention

Fosters provide day-to-day care and transport to the shelter or adoption events as needed. If you’d like to start, review the shelter’s foster program information and application on the Foster page.

Volunteer to Strengthen the County’s Humane Safety Net

Match Your Skills to High-Impact Roles

Volunteers help with animal care (cleaning, enrichment, socialization), adoption events, community education, and administrative support. The shelter matches interests with needs and trains you on safe handling and biosecurity practices.

In-shelter animal care: walking dogs, kennel care, gentle grooming, and social time
Cat enrichment: play sessions, brushing, and stress-reduction routines
Adoption support: greeting visitors, answering questions, and facilitating meet-and-greets
Community outreach: supporting education tables and humane-care presentations
Logistics and events: assisting with setup, breakdown, and donation drives

To get started, complete the brief form listed under the shelter’s volunteer opportunities and application on the Volunteer page.

Reunite Lost Pets Quickly in Autauga County

When a pet goes missing, fast, local action is the best predictor of a successful reunion. The shelter encourages owners to file a lost report and check in person frequently—animals aren’t always posted the moment they arrive, and descriptions can vary.

Take Immediate, Local Steps If Your Pet Is Lost

File a lost report with the shelter and visit during lobby hours to check kennels.

Walk your block and nearby streets; talk with neighbors, delivery drivers, and maintenance crews who know the area’s routines.

Bring a recent photo, plus vet records or licensing documents for proof of ownership.

Make a simple, legible flyer with a large photo and your first name and contact number; post at eye level in high-traffic neighborhood spots.

If your pet is microchipped, contact the chip registry to ensure your phone and email are current.

The shelter’s official guide for reunions, including what to bring and how to file a report, is available under lost pet reporting guidance on the Lost a Pet page.

If You’ve Found a Pet, Keep Your Search Local and Focused

Healthy, friendly dogs and cats are often found within a short radius of home. Begin by checking tags and, if safe to transport, ask a local veterinary clinic or the shelter to scan for a microchip. Knock on doors and speak with nearby residents; many reunions happen within hours when finders stay in the immediate area.

The shelter outlines practical steps—what details to note, how long to search before rehoming is considered, and how to file a found report—in its found pet guidance on the Found a Pet page.

Special Note on Ear-Tipped Community Cats (TNVR)

If a healthy outdoor cat has the tip of one ear surgically removed, that “ear-tip” signals the cat has been sterilized and vaccinated through a trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) program. Healthy, ear-tipped cats can remain in their outdoor home. If a cat is not ear-tipped and is causing issues, humane deterrence and sterilization typically reduce nuisance behaviors. The shelter can advise on next steps.

Consider Alternatives Before Surrendering a Pet

Surrendering a pet is a difficult decision. In many cases, short-term support—training tips, basic medical guidance, more exercise, or a temporary foster arrangement—can stabilize a situation and keep families together. The shelter encourages owners to discuss concerns before making an appointment; staff can recommend options tailored to your specific challenge.

Behavior hurdles: Management strategies, enrichment plans, and basic training routines can quickly reduce common issues like puppy mouthing, adolescent jumping, or litter box avoidance.

Temporary constraints: Short absences or housing transitions may be bridgeable with a foster, boarding, or family support.

Financial strain: The shelter can recommend cost-aware approaches and planning strategies so care remains consistent.

Read the shelter’s expectations and appointment process under alternatives and procedures for surrender on the Surrender a Pet page.

Prevent Pet Loss with Simple, County-Smart Habits

Proactive steps reduce the odds of a pet going missing and make reunions faster if they do.

Make Identification Non-Negotiable

Keep a well-fitted collar on dogs (and on indoor-only cats who might slip out) with a current phone number on the tag.

Microchip every pet and keep registration information up to date whenever your phone or address changes.

Store clear, recent photos of your pet—full body, close-ups, and any unique markings.

Control Exits and Supervision

Check doors, windows, and yard gates for loose latches or gaps.

In fenced yards, remove climb-assist items near the fence line.

Supervise outdoor time; prevent undue risk in busy parking lots, at parks, or outside storefronts.

Travel Smart

Use secure carriers for cats and small dogs; use seat-belt-compatible harnesses or travel crates for larger dogs.

Bring a backup leash, tags, and a current photo on your phone when traveling.

For a comprehensive checklist you can skim anytime, bookmark the shelter’s lost pet prevention tips on the Lost Pet Prevention page.

Rehome a Pet Responsibly When It’s Truly Necessary

Sometimes life changes make it impossible to keep a pet. In those circumstances, rehoming directly can be the most humane option—your knowledge of the animal’s habits, health, and temperament helps you find a compatible family and reduces shelter crowding.

Prepare a truthful profile: Daily routine, energy level, medical needs, training progress, and any triggers.

Vet prospective homes: Ask about fencing, indoor housing, daily schedules, and prior pet experience.

Transfer responsibly: Share veterinary records, microchip details, and a nutrition list; collect updated contact info.

To understand the shelter’s guidance and the point at which a shelter appointment may be considered, see self-rehoming guidance and next steps on the Rehoming a Pet page.

Coordinate with Autauga County Animal Control When Enforcement Is Needed

Autauga County Animal Control handles public-safety and welfare cases that require county authority—such as bite quarantines, dangerous or aggressive animal complaints, livestock issues, or enforcement of applicable ordinances. When a situation involves threats to public safety, suspected cruelty, or animals at large that pose a risk, Animal Control is the appropriate first call.

Use the county’s official portal to review services and, when necessary, obtain contact guidance for field responses. Visit Autauga County Animal Control information on the county’s official site at the Animal Control page.

In Emergencies, Work with Law Enforcement

If an animal-related situation escalates into an immediate risk to people or requires urgent law-enforcement assistance—such as an active threat, a traffic hazard involving an animal, or a welfare check requiring rapid coordination—call 911. For non-emergency situations that still require a deputy response or coordination, residents may contact the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies often coordinate with Animal Control and the shelter to resolve cases safely and lawfully.

Build a Safer, Kinder County Through Everyday Actions

Every resident plays a role in animal welfare and public safety. A county where dogs are licensed, vaccinated, and kept responsibly—and where cats are sterilized and clearly identified—has fewer bite incidents, fewer strays, and fewer shelter crowding crises. Here are practical habits that, collectively, make a visible difference in Autauga County:

Spay/neuter and vaccinate on schedule. Sterilization reduces roaming and nuisance behaviors; core vaccinations protect communities.

Supervise thoughtfully. Don’t tether outside stores, leave pets unsupervised in open garages, or allow off-leash roaming.

Train the basics. “Come,” “sit,” “stay,” and loose-leash walking build control and prevent accidents.

Be neighborly with noise and waste. Good stewardship improves community relations and keeps animals welcome in shared spaces.

Respond fast when trouble starts. Act immediately if a gate breaks, a collar snaps, or fireworks spook your pet—quick action prevents long searches.

When issues arise beyond your control, the shelter and county departments listed below can help you navigate next steps quickly and correctly.

Departments and Offices (Addresses and Phone Numbers)

Prattville/Autauga Humane Society — 1009 Reuben Road, Prattville, AL 36066 — (334) 358-2882

Autauga County Animal Control — 162 West 4th Street, Prattville, AL 36067 — (334) 361-2500

Autauga County Sheriff’s Office — 162 West 4th Street, Prattville, AL 36067 — (334) 361-2500

Autauga County Humane Shelter FAQs

When is the shelter open to the public?

Lobby hours are Monday–Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and the shelter is closed on Sundays. For the most current updates on programs and timelines, start at the shelter’s official homepage under “Home” on the Prattville/Autauga Humane Society site: Home.

What do adoption fees include, and how do I begin the process?

Adoption fees are set at $75 for cats and $120 for dogs. Fees include a microchip with registration, age-appropriate vaccinations as required by law, deworming, and spay/neuter (completed or scheduled). Review eligibility details, expectations, and next steps on the shelter’s official How to Adopt page: How to Adopt.

How does the foster program support Autauga County pets?

Foster homes expand shelter capacity and care for animals such as young litters, nursing moms, pets recovering from medical procedures, and animals needing socialization or heartworm treatment. Fosters provide daily care and transport to the shelter or events as directed. See requirements and the application on the Foster page: Foster.

I lost my pet—what should I do locally?

File a lost report with the shelter and check area shelters in person daily, since not every intake appears online immediately. Ensure your pet’s microchip information is current so staff can reach you quickly. Step-by-step guidance is posted on Lost a Pet: Lost a Pet.

I found a pet—what are the official first steps?

Check for tags and have the animal scanned for a microchip at a local veterinary clinic, then focus your search in the immediate neighborhood by speaking with residents. Submit a found-animal report to the shelter; a two-week owner search is the common standard before rehoming is considered. For procedures—including ear-tipped community cats—see Found a Pet: Found a Pet.