Lakewood's shelter exists thanks to the efforts of the Citizens Committee for a Lakewood Animal Shelter, Inc. (CCLAS).  The Committee was formed in 1983, to help the City of Lakewood establish a humane shelter for lost and abandoned cats and dogs in our community. The Committee contributes thousands of dollars each year, to maintain the animal protection programs that make our shelter "more than just a dog pound."
  
The Lakewood Animal Shelter is hidden, but not hard to find. It's located in the Rocky River Metropark, less than a short mile down the hill from the Detroit Avenue at Rocky River bridge park entrance. It will be on your left, past and "next door" to the municipal treatment plant.  The shelter's normal adoption hours (times you can visit) are: 

• Tuesdays & Thursdays, from noon to 6 p.m.
  
  
• Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays, from noon to 4 p.m.
  
  
• Sundays & Mondays, the Shelter is closed.
    
   

About adoption and lost and found pets...
   
The shelter only handles strays that are found in Lakewood. Stray dogs are held at least 24 hours and cats are sheltered at least 72 hours, in hopes that they will be claimed by their owners. Before being put up for adoption, every stray dog and cat receives temporary shots, a general health evaluation and, if needed, is treated for fleas and ear mites.
  
The current adoption fee is $35 per pet.  Adopters receive a starter kit which includes... For dogs:  a water-food bowl, leash, food samples and a collar.  For cats:  a litterbox, scoop, water-food bowl, toy, food samples and a collar.  Adopters also receive a certificate covering the cost of their new pet's first visit to a participating veterinarian.  Adopters must sign a contract agreeing to have their new pet fixed -- spayed or neutered. Pets with a health, behavioral or other problem may be returned to the shelter within two weeks of adoption, for an exchange or refund.