Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions that we receive. If you don’t see your question here, head over to our Contact Us page and reach out to us directly.

Head over to our Lost & Found page for assistance with Lost and Found pets.

It’s pretty easy to adopt from Nashville Humane. First, go here to learn more about our Adoption Process. Then, to view our current line-up of amazing adoptable dogs and cats, check-out our Adoption page.

Yes! While you do not have to be a Nashville or Tennessee resident to adopt from Nashville Humane, you do have to be present at our facility (213 Oceola Ave) to complete our adoption process. Please note: we do not offer online adoptions of any type. For more information about the steps to adopt, visit our Adoption Process page.

Thanks to a partnership with Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control, we are now offering low-cost spay and neuter to Davidson County residents!

Please click here to see our upcoming openings.

*Please note spots are limited, and for the safety of animals, there may be restrictions on size, breed, temperament, and health of an animal, prohibiting services provided.

No. Due to the sheer intake volume and number of pets that come through our doors on an annual basis, there is no real ability for us to keep or maintain a waiting list like this. That said, you can follow us on Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and check out our Adoption Pages for real time updates on the pets that are currently in our program:

If you are a Davidson County resident, call Metro Animal Care and Control at 615-862-7928 or fill out their form online. Other county contacts are as follows:

“No-kill” is typically defined as a shelter with at least a 90% save rate. The NHA save rate is 99%, certainly fitting the definition. However, NHA does not refer to itself as a “no-kill” shelter because the term doesn’t reflect the complexities of sheltering, and can ignore the tough realities that open-admission shelters face when caring for thousands of pets annually. While we do, at times, make the incredibly difficult decision to humanely euthanize, it is never taken lightly or done quickly. These decisions are made only when an animal is suffering due to severe illness, injury, or dangerous behavior that compromises their safety or the safety of others. We do not euthanize for space, nor do we put time limits on how long pets stay with us.

Instead, we believe in transparency. We think the public is best served by looking at a shelter’s intake policies and overall care practices. At NHA, we strive to provide the same level of medical and emotional care that any loving pet owner would want for their animal. While we know a 99% save rate may not be possible every single year, we will always aim for it — with compassion, realism, and unwavering commitment to each animal who comes through our doors.