FAQs

  • We are open Tuesday through Saturday 11 am - 5 pm.

  • Most dogs that are available for adoption through our shelter are mixed breed, and we often don't know their genetic history. Not only is it difficult to surmise the breed of a mutt by its appearance, but it can also be misleading. The success or failure of an adoption correlates much more to a dog's temperament, training and behavior than it does to its breed.

  • No. MVAS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It is guided by its bylaws, its mission statement and vision by a Board of Directors. It has no legal jurisdiction in the area of Animal Control. Therefore, it is constrained by internal government regulations.

  • That would be practically impossible from a humane perspective, because there will always be some animals who have to be euthanized for humane reasons (e.g., extreme suffering due to incurable illness or dog to human aggression). We have a no-kill status because we have a “live outcome” of over 90%.

  • Yes! Osborne (dog) and Einstein (cat) certificates for discount spay and neuter are available for sale at our front counter. Please refer to the “Services” tab on our website for further details.

  • Our shelter is located between Polson and Pablo on the north end of the Mission Valley in western Montana. Our physical address is 36251 N. Reservoir Rd. in Polson. We are located just west of the Polson Transfer Station off of Highway 93 N. on N. Reservoir Rd.

  • Seconds2Go, our thrift store, is located at 51110 Hwy 93 N. in Polson, MT. As you are coming into Polson, look directly next to McDonald's on your right-hand side. All proceeds from the store go to help support MVAS and its animals.

  • Yes, we gladly accept minors as volunteers! However, any minors 16 or under must be accompanied by an adult and are not themselves allowed to walk dogs, although they can accompany an adult who is walking a dog.

  • Aggression in dogs can be triggered by a variety of factors - food guarding, fear, pain and canine-to-canine dominance, to name a few. Dogs can be aggressive to varying degrees, and their aggression can be amenable to rehabilitation to varying degrees. MVAS does accept dogs with aggression issues. However, we do not accept dogs with a bite history with humans. We always make every effort to give every canine a fair chance. We may ask that you bring the animal for an initial evaluation before determining if we can help.

  • We do not accept aggressive or feral cats. There are two exceptions. (1) If these are kittens, and they are young enough, we may be able to rehabilitate them. (2) If it is determined that the cat's aggression is specifically related to a fixable problem (e.g., a health issue that can be addressed), we might be able to help.

  • Yes, we are offering free vaccine clinics the last Saturday of every month from 10am to 2pm. Vaccines given at these clinics are the FRCPV and the DAPP. We do NOT administer rabies vaccinations.

  • No, but we do offer low cost spay/neuter certificates that are available each month. See “Services” page for spay/neuter information.

  • We do not offer spay/neuter clinics. Contact the Arlee Rehabilitation Center or the Spay and Neuter Task Force.

  • MVAS is the only animal shelter serving Lake County and the only such facility between Missoula and Kalispell. Without fees we would not exist, because it is expensive to care for a large number of animals and provide a safe place for their shelter. MVAS takes the burden when the community faces stray animal emergencies. By charging reclaim fees, we incentivize responsible pet ownership, spaying and neutering pets, as well as keeping animals contained to their own properties.

  • MVAS is funded 100% through private sources - donations, fees, fundraising, events, grant writing and the revenue generated by Seconds2Go - our very own nonprofit thrift store whose proceeds go 100% toward our life-saving mission.

  • MVAS is dependent upon the volunteer spirit of our community! We need lots of help! Volunteer opportunities are vast and diverse. They include cleaning, walking dogs, socializing and brushing cats and kittens, clerical tasks, maintenance projects, mowing grass, shoveling snow, fostering or transporting animals, washing dishes, doing laundry and, of course, everyone's favorite: scooping poop! We accept adults, minors and those seeking to complete community service and those just seeking to spread love to the animals.

  • SUPPLIES LIST (in order of priority)

    DOG TREATS

    POOP SCOOPERS

    HARNESSES

    CAT FOOD (DIAMOND NATURALS INDOOR CAT FORMULA or ANY GRAIN FREE FORMULA)

    KITTEN FOOD (TASTE OF THE WILD SALMON AND VENISON FORMULA)

    DOG FOOD

    PUPPY FOOD

    DOG TOYS (KONGS, NYLA BONES, SQUEEKY TOYS, ROPES, ETC.)

    LEASHES

    CANNED FOOD (FOR CATS AND DOGS)

    8.3*11 WHITE PRINTER PAPER, COLORED PAPER

    KITCHEN SIZE TRASH BAGS

    13 GALLON TRASH BAGS

    PAPER TOWELS

    TOWELS, FLAT SHEETS, BLANKETS, DOG BEDS

  • Cat Neuter - $40

    Cat Spay - $50

    Dog Neuter - $55

    Dog Spay - $60

  • Adult Dog - $150

    Puppy - $200

    Adult Cat - $40

    Kitten - $50