Central Ohio’s Programs for Animal Welfare (CO-PAW) says it offers affordable preventive services and education, along with foster and adoption work. For other needs in Columbus and Franklin County—such as a lost dog, low-cost veterinary care, or trap-neuter-return for community cats—different local organizations handle different services.
What CO-PAW says it offers
CO-PAW’s Best Friends Animal Society partner profile says the organization was founded in response to community needs for accessible preventive medicine and education. It describes the mission this way: “It is our mission to provide affordable sterilization, vaccines, and behavioral and nutritional counseling to all members of our community, regardless of their financial status.” Best Friends’ CO-PAW profile also says the organization runs a foster and adoption program.
The profile describes a cat cafe with behaviorally appropriate housing for adoptable cats as being in development. It does not establish that the cafe is open, or give an address, hours, eligibility rules, or service schedule. The profile also does not state current appointment availability or adoption steps, so contact CO-PAW directly for those specifics.
Which Central Ohio resource fits your need?
| Need | Resource and role | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Affordable preventive services, education, fostering, or adoption | CO-PAW | Its profile describes affordable sterilization, vaccines, behavioral and nutritional counseling, and foster and adoption work. Schedules, eligibility, and fees are not stated in the profile. |
| Rescue, adoption, prevention, and low-cost spay/neuter | Columbus Dog Connection | The organization says it helps homeless and unwanted animals and supports the community and other animal-welfare organizations. The profile does not establish current schedules or eligibility details. |
| Lost or stray dog | Franklin County Dog Shelter | The City of Columbus directs residents there for lost or stray dogs and adoption information. The shelter also handles dog-law enforcement, service requests, nuisance and dangerous dog complaints, bites, and impounded dogs. |
| Lost or stray cat, rabbit, ferret, or bird; adoption; low-cost veterinary care; or pet food pantry | Columbus Humane | The city identifies these as Columbus Humane resources. Its Animal Support Center also refers people to community services when it cannot help with placement or veterinary care. |
| Community-cat trap-neuter-return (TNR) | Columbus Humane Community Cat Initiative | This service is for unowned outdoor cats intended to return to the community, not pet cats. It is appointment-only for Franklin County residents; check the provider page for current availability and requirements. |
| Adoption or spay/neuter information for cats | The Cat Welfare Association | The City of Columbus lists it among local resources for adoptions and spay/neuter information. Contact the organization for current details. |
The city’s Animals & Pets page also explains permit requirements for specified farm and domestic animals within city limits and provides contacts for animal complaints and cruelty referrals. For an individual case, use the city page or contact the listed provider for directions.
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Community cats and Columbus Humane’s TNR service
Columbus Humane describes community cats as unowned outdoor cats, including feral and stray cats, and presents trap-neuter-return as an approach to managing community-cat populations. Its Community Cat Initiative is intended for cats who will be returned outdoors; it is not a service for pet cats.
When accessed in 2026, the program page said the initiative operated on Fridays and served 35 cats per week. It described the service as available by appointment to Franklin County residents, with no walk-ins. The page listed a $30 fee for spay/neuter, rabies vaccination, and an ear tip; optional vaccinations, tapeworm prevention, flea/tick/ear-mite treatment, and FELV/FIV testing were charged separately. These are details from an undated page accessed in 2026, not guaranteed current prices or availability.
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Cats must arrive in covered traps, according to the page. Columbus Humane also listed trap rentals with a deposit and partial refund when the trap is returned. Confirm current appointment availability, fees, drop-off times, and rental availability with Columbus Humane before making plans.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Veterinary referrals and other animal-welfare help
Columbus Humane’s resource directory points people toward low-cost or 24-hour veterinary care and other dog rescues, cat rescues, and trap-and-release programs. The organization says its Animal Support Center can refer people to community resources when it cannot help with placement or veterinary care.
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These organizations are not interchangeable: a preventive-care provider, an adoption organization, a municipal animal-services resource, and a community-cat TNR program serve different needs. Check the relevant provider’s current instructions before traveling or bringing an animal.
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