Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who operates the Fresno Animal Center?

The Fresno Animal Center is owned and operated by the City of Fresno.

Where is the Fresno Animal Center located?

The Fresno Animal Center is located at:
5277 E. Airways Blvd. Fresno CA 93727 

I have lost or found a pet, what should I do?

Go to www.fresnoanimalcenter.com or call (559) 621-PETS (7387).  We encourage you to remember P.A.W.S.!  Post flyers in the area & on social media pages. Ask around in the area to see if neighbors can help. Watch closely for updates on social media & shelter websites. Search local shelters in person for your pet and/or resources. 

What is the owner surrender policy?

Surrenders are considered after behavior assessment only, and only as space allows.  We encourage owners to attempt responsible rehoming or to contact no-kill rescues before considering surrender to the center.  A list of local rescue organizations is available at our Center.

What is the primary benefit of TNR?

In the long term, TNR lowers the numbers of cats in the community more effectively than trap-and-kill.

What do I do if I have found a deceased animal in the City of Fresno?

If you’ve found a deceased animal on the street or in a neighborhood in the City of Fresno, you can call us at 559-621-7387 for pickup. If you can do so safely, you can bring the deceased animal to our facility. Please let customer service at our front desk know that you have a deceased animal in your car, and they will give further instructions.

What are the business hours?

The Fresno Animal Center is open six days a week to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is closed on Thursday. Staff is available after hours for certain emergency priority calls.

Is the Fresno Animal Center a no-kill center?

The City of Fresno will strive to provide the appropriate outcome for every animal in our care with the understanding that for some animals that is humane euthanasia.  The decision to euthanize an animal is made with great respect and in consideration for what is best for the animal. 

What is the intake policy?

The Fresno Animal Center is at capacity and not able to take in healthy, stray animals.  Accepting every animal has previously resulted in our shelter being severely overcrowded and an unhealthy environment for the animals.  We have heard loud and clear from the community that euthanizing healthy animals is unacceptable.  Accepting healthy strays will absolutely result in euthanizing healthy animals to reduce capacity.

The City will continue to meet its legal obligation of picking up and accepting sick, injured, vicious and owned animals.

Your role in our life saving efforts matter, before bringing a pet to the shelter please consider what is best for them.  If you see a pet and suspect it has an owner, please provide temporary shelter in your home, and look for its owner.  If you have no luck finding its owner, then you can help us find a new home, we can provide vaccines, dewormer, food and spay and neuter services. 

What is TNR?

Trap-neuter-return is a humane, non-lethal alternative to the trap-and-kill method of controlling cat populations. Trap-neuter-return (TNR) is a management technique in which homeless, free-roaming (community) cats are humanely trapped, evaluated, and sterilized by a licensed veterinarian, vaccinated against rabies, and then returned to their original habitat.

 How can I help?

There are many ways that you can help.  You can do so by volunteering at our facility, providing a temporary home for an animal by becoming a foster, through donations of items, and of course, cash is always useful. The biggest way that you can help is through education. Together we can absolutely make an impact on the homeless pet population in our city.