What are the shelter hours of operation?
Who do I call about dead animal pickup?
What should I do if I think my dog has been picked up by an Animal Health and Public Safety Division officer?
Why do I need a City license for my animal if I have a current rabies tag?
What should I do if I cannot keep my animal?
Why don’t you pick up stray cats?
Why don't you pick up wild animals in my yard?
What can I do about the wild animal in my attic?
What can I do about my neighbor’s barking dog?
What can I do about my neighbor’s neglected dog?
Are pit bulls illegal?
How many animals are allowed per household?
How long will it take an Animal Health and Public Safety Division officer to respond to my call for service?
How do I initiate an investigation by the Animal Health and Public Safety Division?

Q. What are the shelter hours of operation?

A. The Halfway Home Pet Adoptions animal shelter is open to the public Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from noon until 4 p.m. On Thursday, the shelter offers extended hours from noon until 7 p.m.

Q. Who do I call about dead animal pickup?
A. Please call the 3-1-1 Action Center, (816) 513-1313 or 311.

Q. What should I do if I think my dog has been picked up by an Animal Health and Public Safety Division officer?
A. Call the 3-1-1 Action Center at (816) 513-1313 or 311, or visit the Halfway Home Pet Adoptions animal shelter at 4400 Raytown Road during the hours it is open to the public.

Q. Why do I need a City license for my animal if I have a current rabies tag?
A. Each dog, cat and ferret living within the City limits of Kansas City, Mo., must have a current City license displayed on its collar at all times. This assists in monitoring and controlling the pet population. A City license also makes it easier for you to be contacted if your pet is impounded or running loose.

Q. What should I do if I cannot keep my animal?
A. Pet owners can surrender their animals at the animal shelter (when the shelter is open to the public) for a fee. Your pet will be placed up for adoption, however, we cannot guarantee adoption of your animal. We encourage you to consider alternatives before you surrender your pet to the shelter.

Q. I have a problem with stray cats in my neighborhood.  Why don’t you pick up stray cats?
A. There is not a leash law for cats in Kansas City, Mo., which prohibits an Animal Health and Public Safety Division officer from being able to impound a cat found running loose. The shelter will accept stray cats if they are humanely caught and brought in to the shelter during the hours it is open to the public, which are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. On Thursday we are open extended hours from noon to 7 p.m.  The shelter does charge a fee for this service.

Q. Why don't you pick up wild animals in my yard?
A. The Animal Health and Public Safety Division does not have jurisdiction over wild animals in their natural habitat. If the animal is outdoors, it is considered to be in its natural habitat.

Q. What can I do about the wild animal in my attic?
A. Animal Health and Public Safety Division officers do not remove wild animals such as squirrels, raccoons or opossums from underneath porches, on rooftops, inside attics or unfinished basements. To locate a company that specializes in removal of wild animals, look in the Yellow Pages under pest control services. If you have a wild animal inside your living area, an officer will respond to remove the animal from your residence. If give them an easy exit route, many wild animals will leave a residence on their own accord. If you have a persistent animal problem, the Animal Health and Public Safety Division can mail you an information packet about how to safely rid your property of wild animals.

Q. What can I do about my neighbor’s barking dog?
A. We suggest the following steps to residents who feel a dog is barking excessively:

1. Speak with the dog's owner about the barking; your neighbor may not be aware that his dog is causing a disturbance.
2. If speaking with the owner does not resolve the problem, call the 3-1-1 Action Center at (816) 513-1313 or 311 and give them your neighbor's exact address. The Animal Health and Public Safety Division will mail a letter to the owner with information about the excessive animal noise ordinance and information about how to control barking.
3. If the disturbance continues, the next step is to sign a formal complaint that generates a court date in Municipal Court. Formal complaints are taken during regular business hours (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.) at the Animal Health and Public Safety Division's administration office, which is located at 4900 Swope Parkway on the first floor. If the dog owner is found guilty of violating the excessive animal noise ordinance, a fine between $75 and $500 could be assessed.

Q. What can I do about my neighbor’s neglected dog?
A. City ordinance requires that animal owners provide their animals with adequate food, water, shelter and care. If you believe that your neighbor’s dog is the victim of neglect, you can call the 3-1-1 Action Center at (816) 513-1313 or 311 to report the problem.

Q. Are pit bulls illegal?
A. No, but they must be spayed or neutered.

Q. How many animals are allowed per household?
A. Each household may own four domestic animals (dogs, cats and ferrets) in any combination.

Q. How long will it take an Animal Health and Public Safety Division officer to respond to my call for service?
A. Calls are processed in the order received with priority given to calls that meet specific emergency criteria, such as dog bites. Emergency calls are handled first.