Cincinnati Animal CARE Declares CODE RED as Shelter Nears 900 Animals in Care
Peak Kitten Season and Summer Adoption Slowdown Drives Capacity Crisis
CINCINNATI, OH (June 19, 2026) — Cincinnati Animal CARE, Hamilton County’s only open, stray-intake animal shelter and sole provider of animal services, is officially sounding the alarm to the community by declaring CODE RED–a state of emergency where urgent animal placements are needed. The kennels are full. Every foster and adoptive home creates space for another animal in need.
The shelter is currently caring for 878 animals, including 459 dogs, 398 cats, a rabbit, a rat, and a hamster. Of those animals, 423 are housed onsite across Cincinnati Animal CARE’s Colerain and Dane Avenue facilities, including 285 dogs and 138 cats. There are currently just FIFTEEN open kennels available for dogs.
“We are asking our community to step up right now,” said Meaghan Colville, Shelter Director at Cincinnati Animal CARE. Whether you adopt, foster, volunteer, donate, or simply share our animals online, every action helps save lives
Over the past 30 days alone, Cincinnati Animal CARE has taken in 912 animals, including 346 dogs and 566 cats. During that same period, 584 animals were adopted or reunited with their owners. While those outcomes represent hundreds of lives changed, intake continues to outpace placements.
Early summer is historically one of the slowest adoption periods of the year for Cincinnati Animal CARE, second only to the back-to-school season, as families travel, adjust schedules, navigate childcare arrangements, and postpone adding a new pet to the household.
“Summer is one of the most challenging times of year for animal shelters,” said Colville. “Families are traveling, kids are out of school, and routines change. But animals don’t stop needing help because it’s vacation season. They still need safe places to go, and right now, we need our community more than ever.”
Adoption fees at Cincinnati Animal CARE are intentionally designed to make pet ownership accessible and affordable. Every adoption includes spay or neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, rabies vaccination, and a microchip.
Current adoption fees are:
- Dogs (6 months and older): $75*
• Puppies (2–6 months): $200–$300*
• Cats (6 months and older): $40
• Kittens: $60 for a pair because kittens do better with a buddy
• A $5 service fee applies to all adoptions
*Hamilton County residents are required to purchase a dog license with all dog adoptions: $19.75
For those who are unsure whether a dog is the right fit, Cincinnati Animal CARE’s Foster-to-Adopt program allows adopters to take home an adult dog for a trial period ranging from 48 hours to seven days before finalizing the adoption.
“There is truly a pet for every lifestyle waiting in our care, available for foster OR adoption,” added Colville. “Whether you’re looking for a running partner, a couch companion, a playful kitten, or a mellow senior pet, there is an animal here waiting for someone to give them a chance.”
In addition to animals housed at the shelter, Cincinnati Animal CARE has adoptable pets available throughout the community. Cats and dogs can be found at PetSmart stores at pop-up adoption events every weekend across the Greater Cincinnati area, and cats and kittens at The Purrfect Day Cat Café, an invaluable partner that helps hundreds of shelter cats connect with adopters each year.
How the Community Can Help
Adopt: The fastest way to create life-saving space is to adopt. Click here to view available dogs and available cats.
Foster: Even fostering for a few days or weeks can help relieve overcrowding and save lives.
Volunteer: Volunteers support animal care, enrichment, events, and community programs.
Donate: Financial contributions help provide food, medical care, supplies, and emergency resources.
Share: Sharing adoptable animals and shelter posts helps pets reach potential adopters. Cincinnati Animal CARE code red messaging is shared on all platforms via @Cincyanimalcare.
Visit the Shelter This Weekend: No appointment is necessary, and same-day adoptions are available. Cincinnati Animal CARE is open today and all weekend from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Main Shelter (dogs only)
3949 Colerain Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45223
Dane Avenue Shelter (dogs and cats)
4210 Dane Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45223
For more information, view adoptable pets, apply to foster or volunteer, or make a donation, visit www.cincinnatianimalcare.org.
About Cincinnati Animal CARE
Founded in 2020, Cincinnati Animal CARE is The Hamilton County animal shelter and the only open, stray-intake animal shelter and sole provider of animal services for the county. The organization is a no-kill designated shelter maintaining a live release rate above 90 percent and has facilitated more than 25,000 adoptions while helping save more than 35,000 lives through progressive sheltering practices, innovative community programs, foster care, volunteer engagement, and a commitment to keeping pets and people together whenever possible.
