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 & COUNTY
Young-Williams Animal Services (YWAS) is responsible for all animal control services for the City of Knoxville and Knox County. The YWAS comprises of a Director of Animal Services, Animal Services Supervisor and 15 Animal Services Officers.

The Animal Services Officers focus on assisting pet owners to create long-term change rather than relying on citations and seizures. Those enforcement tools will only be used when necessary for a pet or person’s safety. Animal Services Officers serve to protect the public health and safety of our community and its pets.

YWAS provides a range of services including:
• Reconnecting lost pets with their owner.
• Providing a range of resources to pet owners and their pets.
• Offering education and community outreach.
• Investigating an animal bite or safety concern.
• Responding to animal-related issues.
• Investigating concerns of animal cruelty or animal welfare.

To report any animal-related concerns, please call 865-407-2229 Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Weekends from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For emergencies, call 911. 

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 City of Knoxville Animal Codes
Click here to read Knox County Animal Codes
Click here to read Tennessee State Laws Pertaining to Animals [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 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
Closed 1-2 p.m. for animal quiet time

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.  

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
KnoxvillePetEmergency.com
UT Veterinary Hospital Emergency Clinic
865-974-8387
VetMed.Tennessee.edu

Animal Emergency and Specialty Center
865-693-4440
AnimalERSpecialty.com

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
1-888-426-4435
ASPCA.org/Pet-Care/Animal-Poison-Control

Humane Society Tennessee Valley
865-573-9675
HumaneSocietyTennessee.com

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