animal shelter

American  

[an-uh-muhl shel-ter] / ˈæn ə məl ˌʃɛl tər /

noun

animal shelters plural

1. an establishment, maintained by local government or supported by charitable contributions, that provides a temporary home for dogs, cats, and other animals that are offered for adoption, and puts to sleep homeless animals that have been deemed unsuitable for adoption.

   The animal shelter is requesting donations of old towels, blankets, and other linens.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• animal shelters
  plural

Etymology

Origin of animal shelter

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

animal shelter

Multiple buildings stand on the property, including three separate guesthouses, a 5,500-square-foot movie theater with a stage, several barns, animal shelter facilities, corrals, and a maintenance shop.

From MarketWatch ● May 5, 2026

He was adopted from the renowned London animal shelter, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, when he was believed to be about four years old.

From Barron's ● Feb. 15, 2026

Also in 2020, a Belgian Malinois named Maximus attacked a woman who was feeding him a treat before transporting him from an L.A. animal shelter to an Arizona rescue facility.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 30, 2026

A health store worker and animal shelter volunteer, Ms Cordingley was well known, and well loved, by the local community and her death caused an outpouring of grief across the state of Queensland.

From BBC ● Dec. 8, 2025

Finding the exact information I want about the animal shelter is impossible.

From "The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl" by Stacy McAnulty