The Nashville Humane Association traces its roots to 1887 and took its current form in 1946, marking 80 years in 2026. It is a private nonprofit, not the city pound, and it places nearly 4,000 pets a year while running low-cost clinics, a free pet food bank, and rehoming support. Here is how adoption, surrender, and its community programs work.
The Nashville Humane Association is a private, donation-supported nonprofit and a safe haven for homeless and at-risk pets, reporting a 99 percent save rate. It is one of Nashville's oldest service organizations, with roots in an 1887 humane society and its current form dating to 1946.
It is not the city pound. Stray pickup and animal-control duties belong to a separate government agency, Metro Nashville Animal Care & Control. The two work together on a low-cost spay and neuter program that offers $75 surgeries to Davidson County residents.
Adoption fees start at the amounts below and can be higher for some pets based on demand. Each adoption includes spay or neuter surgery, current vaccinations, a microchip, and veterinary care from the association's in-house staff.
| Animal | Adoption fee |
|---|---|
| Adult dog | from $110 |
| Puppy | from $175 |
| Adult cat | from $100 |
| Kitten | from $175 |
Adoption is walk-in only, with no online adoptions or reservations. You fill out a survey on site, the process takes about an hour, and most animals can go home the same day. The shelter is open Tuesday through Sunday, with the last visit 30 minutes before close.
Through its partnership with Metro Animal Care & Control, the association offers $75 spay and neuter surgeries to Davidson County residents by appointment. It also runs low-cost vaccine and microchip clinics, with vaccines at $15 each, a $10 microchip, and a monthly Saturday clinic at rotating locations.
The free pet food bank is a drive-through open to Davidson County residents on Wednesdays from noon to 2 p.m., and the Pawsitive Impact program helps families afford pet medical care so they do not have to give up a pet.
Rather than direct surrender, the association steers owners toward self-supported rehoming using online tools, along with behavior and financial support to help keep pets in their homes first.
Volunteers can start at age 12 with a parent on site, and 16 and 17 year olds can volunteer on their own; regular volunteers commit to at least six hours a month for at least six months. Fostering is for adults 18 and older who live in Davidson County or within 30 minutes of the shelter, and the association provides all supplies and medical care.
The Nashville Humane Association holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator with a 93 percent score and the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency. Its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 62-0672999.
Walk-in adoption of dogs and cats; nearly 4,000 placed a year.
$75 surgeries for Davidson County residents through a city partnership.
Vaccines at $15 and a $10 microchip, including a monthly Saturday clinic.
A free drive-through food bank on Wednesdays, noon to 2 p.m.
Financial help for pet medical care to prevent surrender.
Homes within 30 minutes of the shelter, with all supplies provided.
Sources: Nashville Humane Association (nashvillehumane.org) adoption, clinic, food bank, and rehoming pages; Charity Navigator and Candid (EIN 62-0672999). The 99 percent save rate is as reported by the association and is undated. Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with Nashville Humane Association and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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