Adoptable Animals

Found Animals


The City of Blue Springs Animal Control Unit, located at 1228 NW Knox St. Blue Springs, Mo. 64015, is responsible for the enforcement of all city ordinances related to the ownership and care of domestic animals. The unit has an authorized force of 5 full-time officers and staff who are on duty 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days per week.  

The City of Blue Springs Animal Control Program provides these core services:

    • Responding to reports of stray, injured or dangerous animals
    • Enforcing animal-related ordinances
    • Investigating animal cruelty cases
    • Promoting pet adoptions and fostering opportunities, handled by the Animal Control Officers

Animal Control Officers, in collaboration with animal rescues, offer pet adoption and fostering services, helping to find loving homes for animals in need. They work to match pets with families and provide support to foster caregivers, ensuring animals receive proper care until a permanent home is found. By offering these services, our Animal Control Officers will play a crucial role in reducing shelter populations and promoting responsible pet ownership.

Animal Control Fees & Tickets

Fees

Animal Control Fees are collected at the time your pet is released to you at the Animal Control Offices. 

Proper identification and proof of rabies vaccinations are also required at time of release.

Fees are as follows:

    • $20 - Impound Fee
    • $29 - Per Day Kennel Fee Per Animal
    • $10 - Microchip Fee
    • $290 - 10-Day Bite Quarantine Fee
    • Owner's Expense - Impound Vet Fees (if required)

Adoption Fees

    • $135 - Animal Adoption Fee
    • $30 - Early-Bird Adoption Hold Fee (applied to adoption fee if no one claims the animal)

Tickets

In addition to the standard fees due at the time of animal release, ticket(s) may be issued for violation of City ordinance(s).  

Ticket(s) may be paid at the Municipal Court window, 1100 SW Smith Street or online.

You may appear in Municipal Court to discuss your case with the Judge at the Howard L. Brown Public Safety Building, located at 1100 SW Smith Street.

According to the Blue Springs Municipal Code of Ordinances, Section 215.010, an animal "Owner" is constituted as the following:

  • Owner: The person having the right of property or custody of a dog, cat, or animal or who keeps or harbors a dog, cat, or animal or knowingly permits a dog, cat or animal to remain on or about any premises occupied by that person.

Residents who knowingly keep or harbor an animal within Blue Springs city limits are accepting all ownership rights as outlined under Section 215.050.

Resident Duties

These duties include but are not limited to:

  • Provide it with humane shelter from heat, cold, rain, wind and snow.
  • Give it food and water adequate to keep the animal in good health and comfort.
  • Animal shelters, to include dog houses and kennels, must be soundly constructed, dry and provided in cold weather with clean bedding.
  • All dogs or cats must be given an opportunity for vigorous daily exercise and must be provided by their owners with veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering.
  • No owner shall permit a dog or cat to bark, howl, meow or cry, in such a manner that it annoys or disturbs a reasonable man.
  • No owner shall allow to accumulate excrement or other waste material such that either the odor or smell of the same is offensive to a reasonable man located off the owner's property, or the condition creates a health hazard to man or animal, or unreasonably interferes with the normal enjoyment of another person's property.
  • No owner of a dog, cat or other animal shall abandon his or her dog, cat or animal.

It is illegal to harbor or keep a "dangerous animal" or to own such an animal and allow it to be kept or harbored within the city of Blue Springs. Additional information on the city's Harboring Animals Ordinance - Section 215.160 of the Blue Springs Municipal Code of Ordinances.

Animals must have current rabies vaccinations, but city licenses are not required. If kept outside, dogs must be leashed, be in fenced yards or housed in kennels. Cats must be leashed if outside. Loose animals will be picked up.

Residents can report excessive dog barking by calling Animal Control at 816-228-0149. To report an after-hours event, please call the non-emergency police number, 816-228-0152, and request a Patrol Officer contact the owner of the barking dog(s). Animal Control Officers cannot issue a ticket for barking dogs. In order for corrective action to be taken, you would need to sign a formal complaint, then an Animal Control Officer may issue a ticket on your behalf.

3-Step Process

  1. Your first step is to obtain the address for the barking dog(s). A formal letter is sent to the animal owner about an anonymous complaint. A 30-day grace period is granted to the animal owner to allow time for corrective steps to be taken.
  2. If no changes have occurred after the grace period, another complaint can be filed and an Animal Control Officer is sent to the owner’s address and they talk to the owner or leave a door hanger regarding the barking dog complaint. Another 30-day grace period is granted to the animal owner to allow time for corrective steps to be taken.
  3. If no changes have occurred after the second 30-day grace period, we encourage you to file a formal complaint against the owner. If you decline to file a formal complain, you cannot file another complaint on the address for 90 days.

When calling with a barking dog concern, you will be given the option to follow the 3-step program, go directly to step 2 or to step 3. Please also provide the number of animals, color and/or breed.

If you have lost your pet, please report it to the Animal Control Unit by calling 816-228-0149. Reuniting pets and their owners is our top priority. 

If you found a pet, please contact Animal Control at 816-228-0149. An Animal Control Officer will contact you and provide you with the required Found Animal form that must be completed prior to Animal Control taking possession of the found animal. All found animals will be processed at the location where they are found not at the Animal Control facility. 

Animal Control does not process walk up found animals at the facility.

Found animals are held for five days while Animal Control attempts to locate the owner. Animals not claimed after five days will become available for adoption. 

If you believe your animal is at the shelter, contact Animal Control at 816-228-0149 to arrange a time to meet an Animal Control Officer to reclaim your pet.