FAQ

The Friends of the Animal Shelter of St. Joseph, Inc. was founded in 2000, our group’s mission is to support all aspects of work done by the Animal Services Staff.

This includes working to increase animal adoption and redemption rates while minimizing the number of euthanized animals; educating our community regarding animal care and welfare issues; and helping care for the medical needs of all sick and injured animals that come through the Animal Shelter.

St. Joseph Animal Services has an adopter’s welcome policy. Our goal is to minimize adoption barriers and make adopting a pet a positive experience. Animal shelter staff and volunteers use conversations and counseling to help match adoptable pets with customers. The adopter’s welcome policy embraces the community, assumes positive intent, and supports people and pets. 

Dogs and cats that are the property of the city will be adopted to the public on a first come, first serve process. Potential adopters must physically come to the shelter to meet and adopt a pet. The availability of animals cannot be guaranteed, and animals will not be placed on hold for adopters.    

Dogs and cats being held as a stray animal without identification (microchip or tag) cannot be adopted until their stray hold has expired and an owner has failed to redeem them. Adopters interested in adopting a dog or cat on a stray hold can pay a deposit in person for the cost of the animal adoption in full. If the dog or cat is claimed by its owner, the deposit shall be refunded to the potential adopter. If the animal is not claimed, the adopter must complete the adoption paperwork within one business day of the expiration of the stray hold. Notification of this process shall be provided to the adopter upon payment of the adoption fees. If the adopter fails to complete the adoption paperwork and take ownership of the animal within one business day of the animal becoming available, the animal shall be placed in an available status for other adopters and the deposit shall be forfeited. Adoption deposits on stray animals shall be limited to one deposit per animal. 

Dogs and cats being held as stray with identification will be available for adoption on a first come, first serve basis once they have been placed in an available status. Adoption deposits will not be accepted on animals with a known owner.  Reuniting pets with their owners is a priority to St. Joseph Animal Services.

ADOPTION FEES FOR CATS/KITTENS: What is included in my adoption fee:

Cat$105.00

  • Adoption fee includes spay/neuter
  • age-appropriate vaccinations
  • flea control
  • microchip

ADOPTION FEES FOR DOGS/PUPPIES: What is included in my adoption fee:

Dog $155.00

  • Adoption fee includes spay/neuter,
  • age-appropriate vaccinations
  • flea control, age-appropriate heartworm preventative/testing
  • microchip.

You will need to create a new account in MYImpact. To do this you will need to enter a unique username to identify yourself to the system. You should select something that is easy for you to remember such as your email address or your name. Your username must be at least 6 characters long. If the name you enter is already in use by someone else, you will be prompted to choose another username. Once you create your account you will then need to fill out the volunteer application.

We are always looking for new or gently-used pet supplies! Common donated items include beds, blankets, towels, toys, newspaper, etc. Donated items must be gently used and acceptable condition with no visible frayed ends or damage. We also accept cleaning supplies like paper towels, household cleaner, etc. If you have any questions, please contact us at (816)-271-4877.

You can drop off supply donations anytime during business hours at the shelter, located at 701 Lower Lake Road St. Joseph, MO 64504