We will always provide any information we have on a pet’s temperament and health status, but many of our animals come in as strays and have been in the shelter for a very brief amount of time. Behaviors seen inside the shelter can be unreliable. Even though we strive to make the shelter as much like home as possible, the shelter is a very loud and stressful place for a pet, so they may not always act like themselves. Also be sure to check out some of our animals available from foster homes! While each home is unique, our wonderful foster families can help provide perspective on how the animal usually behaves outside of the shelter. 

We encourage all members of the household come meet the pet prior to adoption, including children. Often times, pets are good with certain children, but not with others. In addition, if you are adopting a dog and would like to do a meet and greet with your resident dog(s) prior to adoption, our staff would be happy to help. For cats, our staff can help talk you through a proper slow introduction at home. 

After adoption, we recommend you visit a vet of your choice to do a thorough exam. Our shelter can only provide a brief exam in order to serve our average intake of over 9,000 animals a year. Any abnormalities discovered will be disclosed, but not all can be treated by Young-Williams and may need to be treated by your full-service veterinarian. 

Young-Williams Animal Center on 3201 Division Street is the holding center for Knox City and Knox County animal control, so there are many animals in our care that are not yet ready for adoption, either because they have not yet completed their state required legal stray hold time (3 days without identification, 5 days with identification), or because they have not yet been examined or spayed/neutered by a Young-Williams Animal Center veterinarian. Since some stray pets may not be reclaimed by their owners, we do allow animals to be pre-adopted before their stray hold is complete. 

Pre-adoptions must be done in person at the shelter and will be canceled if an owner reclaims their pet or if an unforeseen circumstance occurs preventing the pet from being adopted. To complete a pre-adoption, please come and meet with a staff member. If you pre-adopt a pet, you must provide a $25 deposit and have an appointment scheduled to come back and pick up your new friend once they are ready. This deposit counts towards your adoption fee but is non-refundable in the event you change your mind, fail to show up for your appointment, or the pet is reclaimed. Pre-adoption helps us prevent animals from unnecessarily lingering in the shelter. The pre-adoption fee can remain as a credit on your account for up to two weeks. To view current stray animals, please visit the Lost and Found section of our website.