Cole County, MO

• Emergency vet care

  Hours are only as each source states them. Call before you go.

  University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center - Small Animal Hospital (Emergency and Critical Care)

  Phone: 573-882-7821

  Address: 900 E. Campus Drive, Columbia, MO

  Website: https://vhc.missouri.edu/small-animal-hospital/emergency-and-critical-care

  City: Columbia

  After hours phone: 573-882-4589

  Nearest identified 24/7 emergency service; located in Columbia (Boone County). Page states it is currently unable to provide 24-hour emergency care for all animals; call ahead.

  Source: MU Veterinary Health Center · Checked Nov 5, 2026
• Animal shelters and rescues
  Jefferson City Animal Shelter

  Phone: (573) 634-6429

  Address: 2308 Hyde Park Road, Jefferson City, MO 65109

  Website: https://jeffersoncitymo.gov/government/animal_control/

  Type: municipal (Jefferson City Police Department Animal Control); serves Cole County only for strays and owner releases

  Source: City of Jefferson - Animal Shelter Information · Checked Nov 5, 2026
• Rabies vaccination requirement (2)
  • Website: https://health.mo.gov/providers/manuals/communicable-disease-investigation-reference-manual/rabies-animal

    Rule: Rabies vaccination of animals in Missouri may only be legally performed by a licensed veterinarian (RSMo 322.010, 340.216; 20 CSR 2270-4.031).

    Scope: statewide

    Applies statewide (Missouri). Source: Missouri DHSS Communicable Disease Investigation Reference Manual - Rabies, animal · Checked Nov 5, 2026
  • Rule: Missouri's rabies law is RSMo Chapter 322 (Protection Against Rabies). Section 322.090 empowers county commissions to adopt rules on licensing, impounding, confinement and rabies control and requires them to operate a county dog pound (may contract with cities); 322.030 requires the owner of a dog exposed to a rabid animal to have it treated by a licensed veterinarian or destroyed. Pet vaccination requirements are therefore set by county and city ordinance.

    Scope: statewide

    Statute url: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneChapter.aspx?chapter=322

    Applies statewide (Missouri). Source: Missouri Revisor of Statutes, RSMo 322.090 · Checked Nov 5, 2026
• Spay and neuter help
  Friends of the Jefferson City Animal Shelter - spay/neuter coupons

  Email: pawfriends@hotmail.com

  Website: https://www.friendsofjcas.org/

  Detail: Coupons for $100 off a spay or neuter surgery for dogs, cats and rabbits (about 35 per month) at participating local veterinarians; also 'Wild Things' trap-neuter-return program for community cats.

  Source: Friends of the Jefferson City Animal Shelter · Checked Nov 5, 2026

About this place

• Population
  77,625 (2024)

  Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 Population Estimates (counties and states) · Checked Nov 5, 2026
• Land area (sq mi)
  391.533 (2025)

  Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Gazetteer Files (counties) · Checked Nov 5, 2026
• Official website
  http://www.colecounty.org/

  Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Government Units Listing · Checked Nov 5, 2026