If you need to report animal cruelty, abuse, neglect, an aggressive animal at large or any other animal-related issue within the City of Oak Ridge, Animal Control may be reached during normal business hours 865-425-3423. If you have a problem after-hours, you can call the Oak Ridge Police Department's non-emergency number 865-425-4399. For wildlife and bird issues contact Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at 800-332-0900. Serious or emergent animal issues after hours should be made directly to the police dispatch. 

Calls commonly received by Animal Control:

• Cruelty and/or neglect complaints
• Citizen pet complaints (Dog not on leash, excessive barking, etc.)
• Animals running at-large
• Suspicion of an animal with rabies or distemper
• Pick up and dispose of animal carcasses (for deer pick up, call public works)
• Bite reports
• State of Tennessee code annotated violations
• City ordinance violations

Zoning Ordinance

The City of Oak Ridge's Zoning Ordinance specifies details that may be of importance to pet owners such as fences, electric fences, noise, etc. 

City Code

The City Code details Animal Control including allowed pets, registration laws, animal cruelty laws, general provisions, rabies, and vicious dogs. 

Volunteer

Volunteers have become an essential role at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter. With the assistance of volunteers, the animals receive more attention, human interaction, and exercise which are necessary for their health. Volunteers help by giving their time to assist the shelter with the daily demands of animal care and shelter maintenance which includes cleaning of kennels, feeding and watering of animals, walking or exercising animals, grooming of animals, or other tasks. Our volunteers all have various backgrounds and reasons for assisting with the shelter needs. 

Requirements:

• You must be 18 years of age or older. If you are under 18, then you and a parent/guardian must also fill out an application and be always present with you.
• Preferred volunteers to have manageable or no allergies to animal furs, smells, or cleaning solutions.
• Must pass a local criminal background check.

If interested in volunteering, then please fill out a volunteer application. 

Online Volunteer Application

Volunteer Application (PDF)print and email to: animalshelter@oakridgetn.gov

Foster

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter offers the option to foster an animal. You must be 18 or older, pass a local criminal background check, and have an approved foster application. 

Online Foster Application

Foster Application (PDF) print and email to: animalshelter@oakridgetn.gov 

If you have any specific questions about fostering, please contact Sydney Zemke, the Adoption & Volunteer Coordinator. 

Process

The adoption process is quite simple. You must be at least 18 years of age or older and have a valid driver's license. You may view the adoptable animals online at the Facebook page or at the shelter during business hours. Once you have picked an animal that is available for adoption, please fill out an application. It takes 1-2 business days for the shelter to process your application. If you have any questions about your application or any of the available animals, please call the shelter. 

Application:

Online Adoption Application

Adoption Application (PDF) print and email to: animalshelter@oakridgetn.gov 

Fees

The adoption fee includes our veterinarian performing a physical wellness check, spay/neuter, tattoo, vaccines, rabies shot, dewormer, microchip, flea/tick treatment, heartworm test, and a nail trim. All cats are also tested for FIV and FeLV. 

• Dogs, Cats, and Puppies: $110 each
• Kittens: $110 each or two for $165
• Fridays: $55 adoption fee for all black dogs and cats
• $5 registration tag for City of Oak Ridge residents, in addition to the $110 adoption fee

After an animal has been adopted, the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter will check in with you to see how your new pet is settling in. Please email the shelter update pictures!

Do you want to help but aren't able to volunteer or foster with the shelter? Although the City of Oak Ridge funds the essential supplies that the shelter needs, the shelter could always put to good use any of the items listed below:

• Chewy Wish List
• Dry and canned puppy food
• Dry and canned kitten food
• Dry and canned adult cat and dog food
• Pine cat litter
• Pee pads
• Used towels and wash cloths
• Used blankets and fleece fabric
• Cat toys
• Dog toys
• Animal shampoo
• Pill pockets for medications
• Bleach
• Laundry detergent
• Dish soap 
• Dog and cat beds
• Dog leashes, collars, and harnesses
• Sponsorship: pay for an animal's adoption fee

Registration

All residents in the city keeping, owning, or harboring any animal over three months of age are required to register their animal with the city. Normally, this can be done at the time of your pet's rabies vaccine if you use a veterinarian in Oak Ridge. If you use a veterinarian outside the city limits, you can register at the animal shelter. If you live in the city of Oak Ridge, and your pet has been spayed or neutered, the fee is $5 for a registration tag. If your pet has not been altered, the fee is $10. The city will retain such information as your name, address, phone number, pet's name, etc. In case your pet becomes lost and is found by the shelter or another resident, we will be able to reunite you with your pet. 

Microchip

The shelter does provide a microchip service outside of regular adoption. The fee is $20 for both dogs and cats. The shelter uses Home Again, 134 kHz microchips. Please call for an appointment if you would like to get your pet microchipped. 

Lost your pet?

Please call or visit the shelter to report your missing pet, so the staff can get your contact information in case your pet is brought in. Every stray animal brought into the shelter is first scanned for a microchip and posted online. 

Spay/Neuter

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter does NOT offer spay/neuter services for the public. 

Found a Stray Animal?

Please call the shelter 865-425-3423 to schedule a time to bring in the stray animal you found. The animal shelter staff will scan the animal for a microchip and post pictures online to try and reunite with the owner. Please note, you may be asked to hold onto the animal if there is no physical space in the shelter. The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter is a no-kill shelter, so animals are not euthanized to make space for newcomers. 
Need to Surrender your pet?

When you have exhausted all avenues and have no other options, you can surrender your pet to the shelter if you live in the city of Oak Ridge. 

Please call the shelter 865-425-3423 to schedule an appointment to surrender. Due to the high volume of animals, you will be added to a waiting list. A pet history form, valid driver's license, all vet records, and a $10 surrender fee (cash or check only) will be required. 

Pet History Surrender Form (PDF) print and email to: animalshelter@oakridgetn.gov

Online Pet History Surrender Form