Animal Services

COVID-19 Adjustments

The Idaho Falls Police Department and the Idaho Falls Animal Shelter are implementing adjustments in conjunction with the world-wide effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. These adjustments are intended to be temporary and have been made with CDC and Eastern Idaho Public Health guidelines, as well as our continued mission to serve the people of Idaho Falls, firmly in mind. 

We take the health and safety of our staff and the public very seriously and appreciate your cooperation.   No one will be allowed into the shelter without a cloth or equivalent mask.  

Idaho Falls Police Officers and Animal Control Officers have been issued personal protective equipment (PPE), in the form of gloves, masks, and other items. You may see police officers and animal control officers wearing these items as they respond to calls for service around the community.

Shelter Services that will continue to be halted until further notice:

-Youth group activities and tours

-Visitors without a reason to be in the shelter

-Routine owner surrenders (you may contact the shelter by calling (208)612-8670 for assistance with resources to continue to caring for your pet or other options.) 

 Other shelter services will continue as revised below:

Adoptions- If you find an animal that you are seriously interested in adopting you can come in to meet that animal.  If you are not serious, please refrain from coming into our facility.

Reclaims- If your pet is here, please come in to reclaim as quickly as possible.  

You can check our current list of adoptable/stray DOGS at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ifanimalshelter/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10155079940105102

You can check our current list of adoptable/stray CATS at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ifanimalshelter/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10155079917150102

Owner Present Euthanasia –   An appointment must be made in advance (as normal) and we will limit the amount of people present for each euthanasia to 2 individuals.   

Licensing – we will continue to sell licenses at the shelter.  Current rabies vaccination is required to purchase a license.  

Microchipping – we will resume regular in shelter microchipping.

Stray intakes- We will still accept stray dogs and cats found in Bonneville County, ID.

Volunteer Dog Walking – regular approved dog walkers may resume.  

Field operations- We will respond to all calls as usual until further notice.  

We appreciate your continued support of the Idaho Falls Animal Shelter, as well as our community’s cumulative efforts to support each other through this unprecedented time. We are at our best when our community works together.

Follow the City of Idaho Falls and Eastern Idaho Public Health on Facebook for credible and timely information about COVID-19. 

Idaho Falls Animal Services provides top-notch services to the City of Idaho Falls as it assists the community in answering questions and finding solutions to animal-related problems. It's staff, which includes 10 full-time and part-time employees, responds to protect the animals of Idaho Falls every day from cruelty and neglect. They also rescue many animals that are in danger and/or injured every year. Our officers are authorized by Idaho state law and City of Idaho Falls ordinances to enforce animal related laws.

What Idaho Falls Animal Control Officers Do


  • Investigate, prevent and stop animal neglect and cruelty
  • Educate the public about animal welfare
  • Protect public health by removing deceased animals from public by-ways
  • Enforce animal-related laws - such as dogs at large, barking dogs and animal neglect - by issuing citations if necessary
  • Protect the public from dangerous and/or aggressive animals
  • Quarantine animals who have bitten or attacked
  • Rescue animals that are in danger, sick, injured, lost or unwanted
  • Work to reunite animals with owner or find animals adoptive homes
  • Mediate disputes neighbors have about animals
  • Assist other law enforcement agencies
  • Respond to calls regarding animals in traffic, loose livestock, and wild animals causing problems in urban areas
Idaho Falls Animal Shelter Truck
Animal Control Officer with Dog
Animal Control Worker with Dog

How to Contact an Animal Control Officer


Idaho Falls Animal Services Officers are on duty from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Weekends. To reach us, please contact Police Dispatch at 208-529-1200. After hours emergency situations will be handled by Idaho Falls Police Officers.

When an Animal Control Officer Responds to Calls


Calls are handled on a priority basis. How quickly an Animal Control Officer responds to a call depends upon the priority of that call and how many calls of a higher priority are occurring at that particular time. For example, calls involving an injured animal or immediate danger of injury or harm to a person (from an animal) are the highest priority. Conversely, calls regarding a barking dog might take a longer response time. Your patience and support is appreciated.