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Animal Control

Featured Links

Dog Regulations

Licensing, insurance, leash types, and more.

Backyard Hens

Learn about keeping hens in your yard and apply for a henkeeping permit.

Adopt A Pet

See a list of pets currently available for adoption at the Lakewood Animal Shelter.

Beekeeping

Learn about beekeeping in Lakewood including registration and permits.

What We Do

The Lakewood Division of Animal Control is dedicated to promoting the safety and well‐being of both people and animals in our community. We respond to stray and at-large animals, pick up wildlife when residents have trapped it, and operate the municipal shelter at 12910 Berea Road.

We enforce local animal regulations including dog licensing, leash lengths, and wildlife trapping rules to ensure responsible pet ownership and a healthy, safe environment.

Our Animal Control team also partners with volunteers and local agencies to facilitate animal adoptions, provide educational resources, and support humane treatment of all animals under our care.

Wildlife Trapping​

Animal Control will pick up any raccoon, opossum or skunk a resident traps. Prior to setting a trap, please contact Animal Control at (216) 529-5020. You can also borrow a trap from the Division of Animal Control. This requires a $50 deposit that is refunded upon return of the trap.

Connect

Lakewood Animal Control

12910 Berea Rd.
Lakewood, OH 44107

Phone Number:

(216) 529-5020

Email Address:

animalshelter@lakewoodoh.gov

Animal Shelter Hours:

Daily
10:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Animal Control Officer Hours:

Friday – Monday
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Tuesday – Thursday
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Volunteer Opportunities

There are several ways to get involved and help animals with the Division of Animal Control and City of Lakewood Government.

Fostering and Transporting Animals

If you are interested in fostering and/or transporting animals to the vet or APL appointments, please contact the Animal Shelter at (216) 529-5020 or animalshelter@lakewoodoh.gov. Lakewood Animal Shelter volunteers must have a police background check performed prior to working at the shelter.

Local Organizations

Lakewood Animal Safety and Welfare Advisory Board (LASWAB)

The Lakewood Animal Safety and Welfare Advisory Board was established to serve in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and Council on issues related to the health and welfare of humans and animals as they interact in our community. This board is made up of volunteers that serve two-year terms, and members are appointed by the Mayor and City Council.

Learn more by visiting the LASWAB webpage.

Citizens Committee for the Lakewood Animal Shelter (CCLAS)

The Citizens Committee for the Lakewood Animal Shelter (CCLAS) is a non-profit organization that supports the Lakewood Animal Shelter through fundraising and providing foster animals with needed supplies.

Learn more about this organization and find volunteer opportunities by visiting the CCLAS website.

Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park

An independent citizens group that helped to establish the Lakewood Dog Park through advocacy and funding.

Additional Links and Information

Humane World For Animals: Dealing With Wild Animals

Animal Control Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hours for the Animal Shelter and where is it located?

The Animal Shelter is located at 12910 Berea Road and is open seven days a week, 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

It’s always a good idea to call the shelter at (216) 529-5020 before stopping down just to make sure they are not out on an emergency call.

An Animal Control Officer is on duty all seven days of the week during the following hours:

  • Sunday – 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Monday – 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Tuesday – 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
  • Wednesday – 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
  • Thursday – 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
  • Friday – 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Saturday – 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Stray dogs found on the weekend can be taken to the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter located at9500 Sweet Valley Drive, Valley View, OH. Their phone number is (216) 525-7877.  They are open Saturday 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM and Sunday 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. 

If there is an emergency situation after hours, please contact the Lakewood Police non-emergency police number at (216) 521-6773.

The adoption fee for animals from the Lakewood Animal Shelter are as follows:

  • Kittens and cats: $75.00
    Puppies and dogs: $100.00

The adoption fee includes the following services:

  • Spay or neuter
  • First vaccinations, de-worming, flea treatment
  • Collar and ID tag
  • One free medical exam with one of our area veterinary partners will be offered for new adopters who adopt from the Lakewood Animal Shelter. The services offered at Lakewood Animal Hospital consist of a free exam and one vaccine. The services offered at Detroit Dover Animal Hospital consist of a free exam and one vaccine.

    Guardians are responsible for post-adoption expenses related to medications, additional vaccines, diagnostics or treatments. An appointment for the free medical exam must be made within 30 days of adoption and proof of adoption from the Lakewood Animal Shelter is required.

View animals currenly available for adoption.

The Lakewood Animal Shelter is only equipped to take in stray animals found within the City of Lakewood.  The shelter is small and does not have the space and capacity to house a large volume of animals.
If you find yourself unable to keep your pet, please understand that the Lakewood Animal Shelter does not accept owner surrendered animals. If you are unable to re-home your pet yourself, contact an animal welfare group to make proper arrangements to surrender your pet and to ensure your pet’s best chance of finding an adoptive home.  A great resource is Petfinder.com, where you will find a listing of local animal shelters, and other links for rescue groups.
Some situations may not constitute an emergency. Contact the Lakewood Police Department at (216) 521-6773, and they can advise you what to do or they will contact an Animal Control Officer if necessary.

A no-kill shelter is defined as a shelter that guarantees that unadopted animals will not be euthanized.  At the Lakewood Animal Shelter, all dogs not claimed or adopted are transferred to the Cuyahoga County Kennel.  In rare circumstances of extreme illness or for public safety concerns, a dog or cat may be euthanized.

View currently adoptable animals here.

The Lakewood Animal Shelter and the Animal Control Officers do lend traps for a $50 refundable fee. However, if you rent or buy a trap, the Animal Control Officers will pick the trapped animal up from you. You may call the Animal Shelter at (216) 529-5020 during regular business hours so an Animal Control Officer can advise you of the proper trapping protocol and answer any other questions.
No. If you are stopped for a violation of Chapter 505 or 506 due to the behavior of your dog or the failure to comply with the basic responsible pet owner requirements outlined in the ordinance. You will be requested to show proof of insurance or provide it within a reasonable amount of time.
Yes. All dogs living or being harbored in Lakewood must be insured.
Yes, the city of Lakewood has an Animal Safety and Welfare Advisory Board. This advisory board currently meets on the third Wednesday of most months. Visit LASWAB’s page here.

Yes. The Lakewood Dog Park is located in Lakewood, Ohio, just south of the Emerald Necklace Marina in the Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metropark. It is adjacent to the City of Lakewood Waste Water Treatment Plant. More information, including park rules and hours, may be found by visiting the Lakewood Dog Park website.

The enjoyment of the dog park is at the owner’s own risk and the City of Lakewood is not responsible for any damage or injuries.

Yes. However, dogs are not allowed in picnic pavilions, athletic fields, tennis courts or playgrounds and must always be on a leash.
If you need immediate medical attention, call 9-1-1. If not, call the Lakewood Police Department at (216) 521-6773, and they will respond or contact an Animal Control Officer to respond.
Call the Lakewood Police Department at (216) 521-6773 or Lakewood Animal Control at 216-529-5020.
It is unsafe to approach any unknown animal. The animal might be frightened by your approach, protective or sick and may react aggressively. Contact the Lakewood Police at (216) 521-6773 and they will determine whether to send a Police Officer or contact an Animal Control Officer.