Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control
Our Mission
Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control serves our community in a humane, public safety capacity while working to keep pets with loving families. We are dedicated to providing education, resources, and facilitating happy adoptions for those in need of a second chance.
A History of Care
Our journey began in 1945 when the Fort Wayne Humane Society opened its doors, eventually transitioning to city management in 1947 to expand our reach. Since 1998, we have operated from our facility on Hillegas Road, evolving into a professional department committed to both animal welfare and public safety.
How We Serve
As northeast Indiana's largest open-access animal shelter, we have a unique responsibility to welcome every animal in need from Allen County, regardless of their health or history. We rely on the generous support of our community—through our dedicated foster network, volunteer program, and life-saving funds like the Angel Fund—to ensure every animal receives the care they deserve.
Your Partner in Adoption
Adopting is a joyful partnership, and our counselors are here to help you find the best match for your lifestyle and family. We prioritize thoughtful, personality-based matching to ensure that both you and your new companion thrive together in your home.
Join Our Community
We invite you to experience the rewarding journey of adoption. Please browse our available pets online to find your new best friend or visit our adoption center during our operating hours to start your journey. Together, we can create more happy endings for the pets who need us most.
- Caring and helpful staff
- Successful adoption experiences
- Inflexible adoption policies
9/16 - 11 Indiana animal shelters join US initiative, will temporarily lower adoption fees
Eleven Indiana animal shelters will lower pet adoption fees to $70 or less through Sept. 30, 2026, to help clear crowded facilities.
8/21 - FWACC seeks pate-style wet cat food donations as summer intake spikes
The animal shelter says donations can be shipped or dropped off at its Hillegas Road location. An Amazon wishlist is also available online.
8/15 - A lifetime of love: Families remain best deciders of pets' fate
You are the only person who can determine your pet's outcome with absolute certainty.
7/31 - FWACC waiving kitten, cat adoption fees through Saturday as animal shelter reaches capacity
Nearly 400 animals have been adopted from Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control in July. While the animal shelter is celebrating the accomplishment, it shares that it is at its capacity.
6/30 - Pet of the Week: 6/30/2026
The Pet of the Week is a kitten named Cranberry. If you are interested in adopting this pet, please contact Fort Wayne Department of Animal Care and Control (260-427-1244). The shelter is holding a…
6/30 - Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control holds cat adoption sale as shelter nears capacity
The sale, deemed “Pick Me-ow,” is an effort to get four-legged friends out of the shelter into permanent loving homes.
5/30 - Science Central celebrates Animal Day on May 30
Chaco and his friend, Dr. Banner (a green iguana), are joined by Snowcap, a bunny that will actually be up for adoption at the event.
5/8 - Local humane society working through a busy season
It’s a busy time of the year for one shelter trying to fit the pet needs of one county.
10/14 - After 10 months in our care due to being involved in a cruelty case, Falcon is officially ready to join his loving, safe family. ❤️ He spent some time this weekend at a staff member’s home and she said he was an excellent guest! He loved her other dogs, respectfully kept his distance from the cat, loved snuggling on the couch, slept through the night and did not have an accident. “Hello everyone, my name is Falcon! I am a BIG boy (80 pounds!), have the most soulful eyes, and the goofiest personality. I require a special home due to my past, so please read all the information about me below: • I was part of a cruelty case from 2025. • I will NOT be a first come, first serve adoption. My potential adopter(s) will be required to meet me at least a couple of times before I will go home with them. • I am nervous of new people and will require a person/family who understands what this looks like and will advocate for me through my times of struggle. • I have been on behavior medications for the last 9 months to help me cope in the shelter. I will need to continue medication after being adopted. Due to this I am required to go home with an adopter(s) who has an established veterinarian. • I need to go to a home with kids who are at least teenage years and older. • I do well with other dogs and would really prefer to go home with a dog that can help me with this big transition into my new home. If you are interested in meeting me, please come in to talk to an adoption counselor to see if I may be a good fit. If you have any dogs in the home, please bring them along as well to determine if we would be good friends. FWACC reserves the right to place me in the best fit home.” Due to the extensive history and familiarity with Falcon, the screening process for him is more thorough. Thank you for your kindness and understanding. ❤️ #Adopt #fortwayne #animalshelter
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10/8 - Don’t forget about our Pick Meowt! 🐱🧡🍂 $4 Feline Adoption Sale October 5-9! We are open today from 12-5:30! You can view all adoptable cats/kittens on our website: FWACC .org #fortwayne #adopt #animalshelter
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10/7 - We are open today from 12-6pm! Come see our dogs 🐾 #fortwayne #adopt #animalshelter
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10/6 - Pick Meowt 🐱🧡🍂 $4 Feline Adoption Sale October 5-9! We are open today from 12-5:30! You can view all adoptable cats/kittens on our website: FWACC .org #fortwayne #adopt #animalshelter
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10/2 - #HillsPartner 📣Exciting News! Dogs over 40 pounds are fee-waived with approved application thanks to our friends at @hillspet and the Hill’s “Home Sweet Homecoming” event. From Oct 1st - 3rd, Hill’s is helping cover adoption fees for eligible large dogs weighing 40+ pounds. 🐶 Adopters will also receive a New Pet Parent Kit, including a started bag of Hill’s Science Diet, coupons and post-adoption tips. 🎁 We are open today from 12-5:30 and tomorrow from 9-12pm. Visit the website at fwacc.org/adoption to see our adoptable dogs! #fortwayne #adopt #animalshelter
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10/1 - We are open today from 12-5:30! Come see our dogs 🐾✨ #fortwayne #adopt #animalshelter
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9/30 - Life is better with vitamin c(ats) 😂🐈⬛ All of these cats are available for adoption. You can visit our website at FWACC.org to read more about them! Today is the LAST day of Septembers #emptytheshelters National Adoption Event by Bissell Pet Foundation. 🐾 Dogs 6 months - 6 years: $50 🐶 Dogs 7 years & up: Fee-waived 🐱 All cats + kittens: Fee-waived 🐰 Small animals: Fee-waived We are open today from 12-6pm! #fortwayne #adopt #animalshelter #cats
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9/24 - There’s something extra special about seeing shelter dogs finding friendship while waiting to be adopted 💙 Spades, Falcon and Gomez have been patiently waiting to be chosen by their loving families. In the meantime, they are having fun each morning in playgroup! The larger black and white dog is Angel, and she was finally adopted yesterday. If you would like to learn more about any of these three dogs, you can read their bios on our website FWACC.org under the adoption tab. 🐾 Their adoption fees are just $50 right now thanks to @bissellpets & @cathy_bissell’s #EmptyTheShelters! All dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, have age appropriate vaccines and more! #Adopt #Dogs #Playgroup #fortwayne
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9/23 - September’s #EmptyTheShelters National Adoption Event thanks to BISSELL Pet Foundation & Cathy Bissell! 🐾🥳 Today - September 30th all pets have reduced adoption fees. 🐶 Dogs 6 months - 6 years: $50 🐶 Dogs 7 years & up: Fee-waived 🐱 All cats + kittens: Fee-waived 🐰 Small animals: Fee-waived You can view ALL of our adoptable pets on our website where you may also read about our same-day adoption process at fwacc.org! This sale also applies to all cats/kittens at offsite locations! Our adoption center is open today until 6pm! #fortwayne #adopt #animalshelter #emptytheshelters
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