Important Information Regarding Our Policies
Cincinnati Animal CARE is Hamilton County's animal shelter contracted by the county for the intake of stray dogs and cases of suspected neglect, abuse, and cruelty.
As the county's only open intake shelter for stray dogs, our focus is on stray dogs, and not owned animals.
As per the policy of Cincinnati Animal CARE, we do not accept owner surrenders of dangerous dogs that we cannot safely rehome in the community. For more information and resources, please contact your local veterinarian.
Our Community Support desk also provides resources, as listed at the bottom of this page. Community Support can only provide the resources listed below, but can answer questions: 513-541-7387.
Don't wait until the last minute!
Rehoming a pet can take time, but our Community Support team is here to help! Surrendering to our shelter may not be possible given the nationwide problem of shelter overcrowding. However, our Community Support team can help by providing other alternatives and options during this difficult transition.
Our Community Support team is here to help you.
Let us help you keep your pet! You may not know about the resources available at Cincinnati Animal CARE and in our community to assist you in keeping your pet.
At Cincinnati Animal CARE, we will do just about anything to help including gifting food from our food pantry, providing low-cost vaccines and microchips, and more. Just call the shelter at 513-541-PETS (7387) or email us at resource.desk@cincycare.org to talk with one of our team members about the resources we offer.
Tips for Rehoming your Pet
Rehoming your pet goes beyond asking friends and family! There are so many ways to find a new home for your pet.
1. Post your pet on Home-2-Home
As a first step, we ask that you post your pet to our Home to Home page. Home-2-Home is a rehoming website that CAC partners with to assist individuals with advertising their pets for rehoming.
Your pet will be listed on our website and people looking to adopt a new pet will be able to reach out to you directly, skipping the shelter completely. It is free to register and there is a link for the public to view available pets from our website. Please read the rules of the website before posting. Use clear and complete photos of the pet you are attempting to rehome.
2. Post your pet on Facebook
Post a really clear photo or two of your pet and a nice description, along with the reason for rehoming. Oftentimes this is the fastest way to rehome a pet.
3. Post on independent websites
There are a few other websites you can post your pet in the hopes of finding them a new home, though some of these services do have posting fees. Similar to Home-2-Home, you create a profile with a photo and bio for your pet. However, CAC doesn't have a partnership with the sites listed here so they won't show up on our website. Don't forget to check these out on your rehoming journey.
Rehoming Tips and Tricks:
Tips for Writing Adoption Bios
Remember when writing an adoption bio that you are marketing the dog! Write a bio that highlights the best qualities of the animal you're trying to rehome and entices potential adopters to reach out to you.
Instead of: “Can't live with other pets”
Try: “Way too cool to share your attention”
“Single and loving it”
“Happiest as the only”
“A diva who doesn't like to share the spotlight”
“The only apple of your eye”
Instead of: “Doesn’t like little kids”
Try: “Isn't a fan of tiny humans”
“Would only be a good fit for older, dog savvy kids who know how to read a dog’s body language”
“Prefers adult company”
Instead of: “Energetic”
Try: “Seeking a running buddy”
“The personal trainer you've always wanted”
“The perfect hiking buddy”
“Professional at tug-o-war”
“Has a zest for life”
Instead of: “Not trained”
Try: “Working on self-improvement”
“Ready to learn!”
“Could use a refresher on the basics”
“Would make the perfect training student”
“They may be a work in progress, but aren't we all!”
Shelters Outside of Hamilton County
In addition to posting on rehoming sites and Facebook, you can try reaching out to other shelters in the area to see if they are accepting owner surrenders.
Campbell County Animal Shelter
Address: 1989 Poplar Ridge Rd, Melbourne, KY 41059
Phone: (859) 635-2819
Visit Website
Brown County Animal Shelter
Address: 100 Veterans Blvd, Georgetown, OH 45121
Phone: (937) 378-3457
Visit Website
Butler County - Animal Friends Humane Society
Address: 1820 Princeton Rd, Hamilton, OH 45011
Phone: (513) 867-5727
Visit Website
Clermont County Animal Shelter
Address: 4025 Filager Rd, Batavia, OH 45103
Phone: (513) 732-8854
Visit Website
Kenton County Animal Shelter
Animal Services
Address: 1020 Mary Laidley Drive, Covington, KY 41017
Phone: 859-356-7400
Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Frid: 12pm to 6 p.m.
Wed- Noon to 4 p.m. & Sat - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Animal Control
Phone: 859-356-3191
Visit Website
Warren County Animal Shelter
Address: 230 Cook Rd, Lebanon, OH 45036
Phone: (513) 695-1176
Visit Website
Dog and Cat Rescues
When rehoming, also try reaching out to rescues in the area. Many rescues rely on foster homes to take in new animals. Here are tri-state area rescues that take dogs and cats.
Sweet Dream House Rescue
Location: 657 N Wayne Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45215
Phone: Contact Sue at (513) 484-9840
Email: contactus@dreamhouserescue.org
Visit Website
The Animal Adoption Foundation
Location: 2480 Ross Millville Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013
Phone: 513-737-PETS (7387)
Email: aafpets@yahoo.com
Save The Animal Foundation (STAF)
Location: 4011 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati, OH 45227
Phone: 513-561-7823
Email: info@staf.org
Visit Website
Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue
Location: 4725 Boomer Road, Cincinnati, OH 45247
Phone: (513) 655-6843
Visit Website
His Eye is on the Sparrow (HEIOTS)
Location: 9109 Willow Creek Dr, Loveland, OH 45140
Phone: 513-227-8414
Email: heiots.animalrescue@gmail.com
Josephs Legacy Rescue
Phone: 513-393-9661
Visit Website
SAAP (Stray Animal Adoption Program)
Phone: 859-391-1234
Visit Website
Myles Ahead Animal Sanctuary and Rescue
Location: 7773 Old 3C Hwy, Maineville, OH 45039
Phone: (513) 673-4012
Paw Prints Animal Rescue
Email: pawprintsnky@gmail.com
Visit Website
Sharonville SPCA
Location: 11900 Conrey Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249
Phone: 513-541-6100
Visit Website
Peppermint Pig Animal Rescue
Location: 8454 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati OH 45255
Visit Website
*surrender form on website*
Hart (Homeless Animal Rescue Team)
General info: contactus@rescueahart.org
Cat/Kitten: hartkitties@gmail.com
Dog/Puppy: doghart@gmail.com
Visit Website
SICSA: Pet Adoption & Wellness Center
Phone: 937-294-6505
Visit Website
*Surrender form is online*
League For Animal Welfare
Location: 4193 Taylor Rd, Batavia, OH 45103
Phone: (513) 735-2299
Visit Website
PAWS Adoption Center
Phone: 513-539-7297
Heartt Animal Refuge
Location: 11354 Reading Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45241
Phone: (513) 602-7729
Robyn's Nest Inc
Location: 1291 W Market St, Germantown, OH 45327
Phone: (937) 247-9272
Visit Website
Dog Only Rescues
For a searchable list of licensed dog rescues in the state of Ohio agri.ohio.gov/divisions/animal-health/resources/cdb-list-rescues.
Cincinnati Pit Crew
Facebook: “Cincinnati Pit Crew”
Adopt-A-Pit Rescue
*has rehoming resources*
Phone: 937-701-7487
Facebook: “Adopt A Pit Rescue”
GRRAND Goldens -
Golden Retriever Rescue & Adoption of Needy Dogs (takes more than retrievers)
Phone: 866-981-2251
Email: info@grrand.org
Furgotten Dog Rescue Inc.
*Have a Pitbull only Spay/Neuter Program - Free - Application on their website furgottendogrescue.com
Facebook: Furgotten Dog Rescue
Adoption First Animal Rescue
Email: dakota@adoptionfirstanimalrescue.com
Cincinnati Lab Rescue
Facebook: “Cincinnati Lab Rescue”
Email: info@cincinnatilabrescue.org
Miami Valley Labrador Rescue
Phone: 513-588-0124
Email: labsaver@nalu.net
Queen City Bulldog Rescue
707 Fairfield Ave, Bellevue, KY 41073
Email: info@queencitybulldogrescue.com
Website: queencitybulldogrescue.com
Lucky Tales Rescue Inc.
*Will make a courtesy post and assist with adoption*
Website: luckytalesrescue.org
Ohio German Shepherd Rescue
Website: germanshepherd.rescueme.org/ohio
*website to post to for rehoming*
Cat Only Resources
Save Cats and Obliterate Overpopulation (SCOOP)
Location: P.O. Box 46624 Cincinnati OH 45246
Phone: 513-771-2967
Email: email@scoopcat.org
Visit Website
Crazy Cats Animal Rescue (CCAR)
PO Box: 8845 Cincinnati, OH 45208
Phone: 513-655-2400
Email: info@crazycatsanimalrescue.com
Visit Website
Cincinnati Cats Inc. (Special Needs & at Risk Cats)
Phone: 513-278-7228
Email: info@Cincinnati-cats.org
Visit Website
Scratching Post
Location: 6948 Plainfield Road Cincinnati OH 45236
Phone:513-984-6369
Visit Website
Purrfect Friends Cat Rescue
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Phone: 513-557-2107
Email: info@purrfectfriendscatrescue.org
Visit Website
AAPCATS
Email: cincyfelines@outlook.com
Fourgotten Paws Animal Rescue
Email: fourgottenpaws@gmail.com
Visit Website
The Paws Cause Rescue
Location: S Dixie Hwy, Franklin, OH 45005
Visit Website
Small Animal Rescues
The Ohio Pet Sanctuary
Location: 8018 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45255
Phone: 513-388-9998
Email: ohiopetsanctuary@gmail.com
Animal House
Location: 7869 Hamilton Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45231-3159
Phone: (513) 931-6139
Email: animalhousecincinnati@gmail.com
Visit Website
Ohio House Rabbit Rescue
Location: 5485 N. High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43214
Phone: 614.263.8557
Email: contact@ohiohouserabbitrescue.org
Visit Website
St. Melangell’s Small Mammals
Phone: 513-658-5955
Visit Website
Rescued Guinea Pigs Inc
Phone: (930) 210-0055
Visit Website
Dayton House Rabbit Society
Email: contact@daytonhouserabbit.org
Visit Website
Rescue Me!
Small Animal Rescue
Visit Website
Livestock/Farm Animal Rescue
Sunrise Sanctuary
Phone: 937-578-8771
Whispering Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary
Phone: 440-533-1753
Foreverland Farm Sanctuary
Address: 2885 Lindale-Mt Holly Rd, Amelia, OH 45102
Visit Website
St. Melangell’s Small Mammals
Phone: 513-658-5955
Rescued Guinea Pigs Inc
Visit Website
Dayton House Rabbit Society
Email: contact@daytonhouserabbit.org
Visit Website
Reptile/Exotic/Wildlife Animal Help
Arrowhead Reptile Rescue
Location: 7753 Cox Lane Suite #15, West Chester, OH 45069
Phone: 513-442-4377
Nature Nurses Wildlife Rescue
*a lot of helpful info for found baby wild things*
Emergency Phone: 513-601-9617
Email: naturenurses@gmail.com
Visit Website
St Melangell’s Small Mammals
Phone: (513) 658-5955
RAPTOR Inc.
Location: 961 Barg Salt Run Rd, Milford, OH 45150
Phone: (513) 825-3325
*birds of prey only*
Tri-State Wildlife Management
Wildlife Control and Removal (including deceased wildlife removal) Commercial • Residential • Industrial • Municipal
Phone: 859-635-0037
Cool Critters Outreach
Phone: (513) 720-2442
*Animal Education and Rescue Organization
W.E.S.T. Wildlife Emergency Service Team
Phone: 937-949-1663
Email: wildlifeemergencyserviceteam@gmail.com
Cincinnati Exotics Animal Center
Phone: (513) 399-7283
Visit Website
Emerald Parrot Rescue
Location: 6730 Edenton Pleasant Plain Road
Pleasant Plain, OH 45162
Phone: (513) 625-6119
Visit Website
Second Chance Wildlife
Location: 4525 OH-131, Fayetteville, OH 45118
Helpline Phone: (513) 875-3433
Mary Royce - Orphans only: (513) 481-0834
Linda Ott - Birds, Mammals, Fawns, Reptiles, Amphibians: (513) 471-2025
Wild Again Animal Rescue
Location: 861 W. Spring Valley Paintersville Rd
Spring Valley, OH 45370
Phone: 937-307-9820
Email: Barb@naturesgates.com
2-B-WILD AGAIN
Location: 10127 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45242
Phone: (513) 253-3339
