Animal Shelter

According to KRS 258.195, each county must have a dog warden and dog pound. The Court of Appeals has interpreted this to be a ministerial duty rather than a discretionary duty. When the fiscal court appoints a dog warden and establishes a dog pound, it has discharged all duties imposed on it in relation to the so-called “dog law”.

In counties of small populations, fiscal courts may establish a joint dog pound. Or one or more counties acting jointly may take advantage of the facilities of suitable pounds already in operation by other counties.

The Animal Shelter only accepts animals from Christian, Todd & Trigg counties. Any animal brought to the Christian County Animal Shelter that was released by the owner to an Animal Control Officer will be the property of the Christian County Animal Shelter. Per KRS 258.215 all stray animals are held 5 days before final disposition is determined.

All adoptable animals from the Christian County Animal Shelter are spayed or neutered before leaving the shelter. This policy helps reduce pet overpopulation, promotes responsible pet ownership, and contributes to the overall health and well-being of the animals. By ensuring that animals are sterilized prior to adoption, the shelter helps prevent unwanted litters and supports a healthier community for both pets and residents.

Christian County Animal Shelter staring July 1, 2026 will be charging a small fee to surrender your dog to the shelter. This fee is intended to help offset the costs associated with animal care, veterinary services, vaccinations, and spay/neuter procedures.

$50 fee for the surrender of an adult dog.
$25 fee per dog when the owner provides complete and current veterinary records, including proof of vaccinations, current rabies certification, and documentation of spay/neuter status.
$50 fee for the surrender of a litter of puppies.
$25 fee for the surrender of an adult cat.
$50 fee for the surrender of a litter of kittens.

Fee adjustments may be considered on a case-by-case basis when more than three (3) adult dogs are surrendered at one time. Any adjustments will be determined at the discretion of shelter management based on shelter capacity, animal welfare considerations, and individual circumstances.