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Listed below are several resources for having/finding animals in Knoxville including adoptable animals, animal control, and dead animal pickup.

TAGS FOR ANIMALS IN CITY LIMITS

If you live within the City limits, all of your pets are required to possess a City tag. Your pet must have an up to date Rabies Vaccine in order to purchase a tag. This tag must be purchased annually and worn by your pet, just like the Rabies tag. Young-Williams Animal Center and most veterinarians in the City offer the sale of City tags. 
More City Pet Ordinances

ANIMAL CONTROL

CITY
For stray animal pickup in the city, call 865-215-7457. To leave a voice message only, call 865-215-8639. For more information contact Rhonda Bender at 865-215-8640 or [email protected]. The City Animal Control office is open Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-10 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday and holidays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 

COUNTY
For stray animal pickup in the county, call Knox County Animal Control at 865-215-2444. For more information please visit www.knoxsheriff.org/animal or send email to [email protected]. The County Animal Control office is open Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-10 p.m. and for emergencies from 10 p.m.-6 a.m.

WILDLIFE
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has jurisdiction over wildlife 1-800-332-0900 (bats, skunks, racoons, foxes, and coyotes). City and County Animal Control Officers can respond to calls about wildlife that are sick/injured, and pose a direct safety risk to the public.

ANIMAL CODES

Click here to read the City of Knoxville Animal Codes
Click here to read the Knox County Animal Codes [PDF]
Click here to read the TN State Laws [PDF]

DEAD ANIMAL PICKUP

To request pickup for a dead animal in the City please call 3-1-1 at 865-215-4311.  The animal must be within 5 feet of the edge of the street. The animal is placed in a bio-hazard bag and taken for burial to the Chestnut Ridge Landfill off Raccoon Valley Road. 
Request Dead Animal Pickup

DOGS ON PATIOS

The City now allows restaurants with outside dining areas, such as patios, to provide for dog owners to bring their dogs with them to the outdoor area. Dogs cannot be taken through the inside area of the restaurant, but must be taken directly to the outside dining area. Restaurants must get a permit from the City to allow dogs and must post rules governing dogs in their place of business.
Dogs on Patios Permit Info

YOUNG-WILLIAMS ANIMAL CENTER

3201 Division Street
Knoxville, TN 37919
865-215-6599
www.Young-Williams.org
Open Noon - 6 p.m. Monday-Sunday

The fees to adopt a pet from the Young - Williams Animal Center varies depending on the type of animal, the animal's age, how long he or she has been at their shelter, etc. The center has dogs, cats and even non-traditional pets such as rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, and guinea pigs. Please call the Center at 865-215-6599 for more information about adoption fees. The adoption fee includes a spay or neuter, shots (except for rabies vaccine, which you must get at your own vet), a heartworm test for dogs and a feline leukemia test for cats, check and treatment for intestinal parasites, application of flea control, a microchip, and an exam by their Animal Center veterinarian. 

Center Services Include:
• Take in stray, nuisance, and surrendered animals. 
• Provide humane treatment of animals while in our custody. 
• Identify and return lost pets. 
• Conduct progressive adoption program with spay/neuter and microchip included in the fee. 
• Quarantine bite animals for rabies observation. 
• Provide humane education and pet-care information to the community and schools. 
• Provide services to the citizens of Knoxville and Knox County while enforcing Tennessee state laws and local ordinances related to animals. 
• Humanely euthanize homeless, unwanted, sick, and injured animals.

PHONE NUMBERS OF INTEREST

Knoxville Pet Emergency Clinic
865-637-0114
www.knoxvillepetemergency.com
UT Vet. Hospital Emergency Clinic
865-974-8387
vetmed.tennessee.edu

Animal Emergency and Specialty Center
865-693-4440
www.animalerspecialty.com

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
1-888-426-4435
www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

Humane Society of TN Valley
865-573-9675
www.humanesocietytennessee.com

Young - Williams Animal Center
865-215-6599
www.Young-Williams.org