As of June 25, 2025 the Evansville Municipal Code section 6.05.040(C)(2) was amended to: (2) Found animals shall be held for the following minimum times, unless the animal needs to be euthanized for humanitarian purposes upon the decision of a veterinarian (if available) or the Superintendent or the Superintendent's designee due to the animal's mental or physical condition to present suffering:

(a) Dogs shall be held for four days;

(b) Cats shall be held for three days, and

(c) if a found cat is determined by the Superintendent of the Animal Care & Control shelter, or their designee, to be a cat belonging to any community cat program, then such cat shall be held for a minimum of 24 hours.

1. Impounded animals: animals taken for their own welfare, house/apt fire, owner in jail, owner in hospital, owner deceased, and abandoned animals are held for ten days. In certain circumstances these pets may be held longer, such as if a bond has been posted, or hospitalized owners and victims of fires. These situations are evaluated on a case by case basis.
2. In the case of a deceased owner, next of kin or person with power of attorney may reclaim. A rescue or shelter can reclaim the pet with a signed foster agreement if the deceased owner was fostering at the time of death. 
3. Proof of ownership is required for reclaim. This can be in the form of microchip, pictures, or vet records.
4. Owners must provide picture identification such as a driver's license.
5. Once ownership has been determined the owner may reclaim their pet.
6. All dogs and cats picked up or brought into the shelter must be microchipped before release per EMC 6.05.130 (K) at a cost of $25.00
7. Reclaim fees are $7.00 for the first day, and $5.00 for each additional day.
8. Owners must provide proof of current rabies vaccine or will be required to purchase a rabies voucher for $17.00
9. Owners must purchase a city license if they live inside city limits. The cost of the license varies based on spay/neuter status and microchip.
10. Owners must sign all paperwork including reclaim contract, city license form (if applicable) and microchip form (if applicable)
11. Copies of all paperwork, city license tags, receipts and microchip tags are provided to the owner.