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Animal Shelter
We serve the entire Hancock County area, including the cities of Bay St. Louis, Diamondhead, and Waveland.
- Animal Control Services
- Strays
- Owner Surrenders (by appointment only)
- Low-cost spay and neuter program
- Micro-chipping and offsite adoptions are available throughout the year
- Stranded Marine Mammals & Sea Turtles (please see our Resource Directory page)
View all of Hancock County's organizations and businesses for animal services on our Resource Directory page.
Mission
Hancock County Animal Shelter's Mission is to promote responsible pet ownership, protect the health and safety of our residents, as well as the protection and humane treatment of all animals. It is also our mission to provide temporary shelter for stray, unwanted, or homeless animals, while vigorously attempting to relocate healthy ones. Our program includes health screening, vaccinations, and the mandatory spay or neutering of all adopted animals. All activities are in compliance with state, federal, and local laws and regulations and are performed by humane and professional staff, while done under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
Disaster Events
During a disaster event, the Hancock County Animal Shelter will open an evacuation shelter for pets. To use the evacuation shelter, you must provide the following information:
- Copy of your I.D.
- Copy of current rabies certificate
- MUST provide food, water, food/water bowls, kennel, collar/harmless, leash for each animal
For more information about how you can take steps to prepare for a natural disaster, please visit the ASPCA website to read our resource on disaster planning for pets.
Ways You Can Help
Are you unable to adopt but would like to help abandoned and lost pets? Please consider purchasing something from our Amazon Wish List.
Click the button above to view our Wish List. We would love to have everything on our Wish List, but we are also always in need of towels, blankets, pet food, bowls, leashes, and collars. If you have any of these items you would like to donate, please drop them by the shelter.
By adopting you are saving an innocent life and giving them the love and affection they deserve. The best place to find the most incredible addition to your family is at Hancock County Animal Shelter.
We have plenty of animals of all breeds, sizes, and colors. These babies deserve a second chance at life. They are so grateful for having a second chance and will give your family the most love you have ever received!
Foster families are very vital to our shelter animals. The Southeastern region of the United States has a huge overpopulation of stray and unwanted animals. The animal shelters in our region fill up very fast.
Foster families can play a huge part in helping reduce euthanasia by fostering animals for our shelter. We are always in need of foster homes for our shelter animals and can become foster families in just a few easy steps. Contact our shelter for more information at 228-466-4516.
Animal shelters operate on a very tight budget and rely heavily on monetary donations for day-to-day operations and supplies. If you are interested in making a monetary donation to our shelter, please contact us by phone at 228-466-4516 or you may mail us a check to 7175 Texas Flat Road, Kiln, MS 39556. Any little bit helps and we appreciate any and all of your support!
Volunteers are an essential and vital part of our daily operations. Volunteers are very important and helpful in daily activities. We are always in need of volunteers and there are plenty of ways to get involved.
- Walking Dogs
- Giving Out Treats
- Bathing Dogs
- Socializing Dogs and Cats
- Folding Laundry
Community service hours can also be completed here at the shelter. Volunteers are also very helpful at PetSmart to help clean cat kennels. Volunteers under the age of 18 years old, must have a parent/guardian complete a Release of Liability form. If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please stop by the shelter, or give us a call at 228-466-4516 or email us at animalshelter@co.hancock.ms.us
We are always in need of supplies and items to ensure the pets in the shelter stay happy and healthy. Check out our list of items and keep us in mind during the holidays.
Our Wish List
- Purina Dog/Puppy Chow
- Purina Cat/Kitten Chow
- Bleach
- Disinfectant Bleach
- Liquid laundry detergent (Any Brand)
- Clumping Cat Litter (Any Brand)
- Metal litter scoopers
- Paper Towels
- Clorox Wipes
- Dawn Dish Detergent
- Hand Sanitizer
- Cat Treats
- Elevated dog beds (Kuranda Beds)
- Collar and Leashes
- Stainless food and water bowls of all sizes
- Where can I find additional information about pet adoption?
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If you are thinking about adopting a new cat or dog, please read the following resource from the national ASPCA website about all the factors you should consider first before heading to the shelter. Learn more about "Adopting a Pet" on the ASPCA website.
- What are the pet adoption fees?
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Pet Adoption Fees Dogs/Puppies $75.00 VIP Dogs/Puppies $125.00 Cats/Kittens $60.00 VIP Cats/Kittens $85.00 Lonely Hearts $50.00 - How do I contact Animal Control?
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Animal Control can be reached at 228-255-9191.
- What do I do if I found a stray?
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If you have found a stray animal, please report it to animal control at 228-255-9191. You can also visit our Facebook Messenger page and send us a picture, location found, and contact information. Please be aware that the contact information will be posted publicly on our Facebook page.
- What if I have lost my Pet?
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We are sorry to hear that your pet is missing and our staff wishes you a speedy reunification with your pet.
If you have lost an animal, you can notify us via Facebook Messenger, call our front desk at 228-466-4516, or email the Animal Shelter. Please send/attach a current photo of your lost pet, the area lost, and contact information. Please be aware that any contact information you send us through Facebook Messenger will be posted publicly on our page.
- How can I reclaim my pet?
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If your pet has been picked up by animal control, please contact the animal shelter. You will be required to pay a reclaim fee before the pet is returned. Please contact 228-466-4516 for more information.
- How do I surrender a pet?
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Surrendering a pet? You are not alone. Many of the pets we receive each year are given up by their owners. Giving up a pet is a difficult decision to make, but there are other options too. Consider Re-homing your pet before bringing it to the shelter. If you are thinking about surrendering a cat or dog, please read more details on the Rehome website.
If you have decided you just want to surrender your pet, please make sure you meet the requirements and provide the following information below.
Information You Are Required to Provide
- Contact Information: Name, Address, and Phone Number
- Proof of Hancock County Residency
- Any veterinary records you have for your pet.
- The fee for surrendering a pet is $15 for a single animal and $25 for multiple animals. The surrender fees go towards the animal's vaccinations.
Animals surrendered by appointment only.
- What animals do you have for adoption?
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The Hancock County Animal Shelter posts every day on our Facebook Page with all of the animals we have up for adoption. Additionally, you can use Petango or Adoptapet to search for available pets as well. Visit the Hancock County Animal Shelter Facebook page for more information.
- Does the Animal Shelter help with vaccinations?
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No, the Hancock County Animal Shelter does not vaccinate public animals. Please visit any of our local veterinarian clinics for assistance with vaccinations for your pet.
- Do we microchip?
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Yes! We can microchip your pet. The cost is $35 per animal.
- Do you have a spay/neuter vouchers?
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Yes! The animal shelter can provide you with "Low-Cost Vouchers." Please stop by the shelter in-person during our normal business hours to pick up the vouchers. We do not have a limit on the number of vouchers you can receive.
Hancock County Animal Shelter
7175 Texas Flat Road
Kiln, MS 39556
Phone: 228-466-4516Shelter Hours
Monday through Friday
10 am to 4 pm
Weekends - Closed