animal shelter

American  

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

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of animal shelter

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Vonn adopted Leo from an animal shelter in January 2014, days after she came to the realization she would not be able to compete in that year’s Winter Games because of a knee injury.

From Los Angeles Times

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

He had chosen Moose at the animal shelter, more than six years ago.

From Literature

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

Elderly people sat in heated train carriages, families living in freezing apartment blocks ate dinner in heated tents on the street, and one animal shelter took in stray cats at risk of dying from the cold.

From Barron's