Minnesota Valley Humane Society

Please don't think of your city's animal control as the dogcatcher who takes mangy dogs to a filthy, overcrowded pound where they are always put to sleep. Today's animal control departments are made up of professional public servants who dedicate themselves to helping animals, pet owners, and the community. Animals impounded by animal control are kept in safe, clean facilities. State law requires them to be held a minimum of 5 days, although some departments will keep animals longer. If animals are not reclaimed by their owners, animal control may place them for adoption, utilize adoption-resource groups, or transfer them to other shelters, such as Minnesota Valley Humane Society (MVHS). Unfortunately, many animals are euthanized after being impounded by animal control, but the people working in these departments work hard to do what is best for every animal in their care.

Unlike Minnesota Valley Humane Society, animal control departments are funded by your tax dollars.

Most urban and suburban cities have animal control departments that can the accessed through the following numbers, or through the local police. Rural residents should contact their sheriff's department for animal services.

• Minnesota Valley Humane Society cannot accept any stray dogs from the public!

• MVHS will only accept stray cats from cities that have no applicable ordinance.

• We will accept stray cats that were found the following cities:
  Hastings, Farmington, Inver Grove Heights, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Mendota, South St. Paul

• In order to surrender a stray animal to Minnesota Valley Humane Society (other than a cat from the above-mentioned cities), you must have held the animal in your custody for a minimum of 10 days.

• Every humane society and shelter operates independently, and has different regulations regarding stray animals. Please contact them individually to learn about their policies regarding stray animals.

Return to Lost and Found Page

Return to General Fact Sheets Page