About Our Shelter...

The Animal Shelter Inc. of Sterling, Massachusetts is a non-profit organization and no-kill shelter. The shelter provides humane sheltering and care for stray, unwanted, abused and neglected animals.  The staff is dedicated to finding good homes for adoptable pets and we continue to promote responsible pet ownership to improve the quality of life for the animals and people in our community.

In addition to providing shelter for strays and unwanted animals, we also board dogs while owners are on vacation.  Boarding fees also assist in supporting the shelter animals.  The shelter has large exercise areas for all animals and we have volunteers that provide the animals with TLC. All boarding animals MUST be up to date on all shots including rabies & distemper and kennel cough / bordatella for the dogs. This is MANDATORY.

Visit our profile pages to find view animals currently up for adoption.  The shelter also welcomes any donations for those critters who have been left behind and can not care for themselves.  Check out our volunteers and donations page for more information.

Contact Us

Animal Shelter, Inc.
17 Laurelwood Road
Sterling, MA  01564
Phone:  978-422-8585
Fax: 978-422-8574

If you would like more information about the Animal Shelter, Inc. please call or email us at: staff@sterlingshelter.org. 

If you are interested in our boarding or are looking for a new companion to adopt, stop by during our hours of operation. 

If you would like to contact the board of directors you can send a letter to the address above ATTN: Board of Directors. You must contact them via mail, no phone calls are accepted.

Hours of Operation

Please call for Holiday Hours (we are closed most major holidays and holiday weekends) and normal hours the day BEFORE and day AFTER a holiday are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Please use our automated phone system to answer your questions as staff is extremely limited and we don't always have time to answer the phones.

Directions (Map Below)

From South Eastern MA (Marlboro, Hudson, Framingham):

495N to Exit 26 (Rte. 62 West)
Follow route 62 through Berlin, Clinton, and into Sterling.
Take a right onto route 12 before the center of Sterling.
Take 1st left onto Laurelwood Road 
Shelter is 3rd building on the right.

From North Eastern MA (Lowell, Billerica):

495 South to route 2 West.
Take 190 South to Exit 6 (route 12).
Take Left on route 12.
Take First Right on Laurelwood Road.
Shelter is 1/2 mile on left (17 Laurelwood).

From Southern Central MA (Worcester, Holden):

190 North to Exit 6 (route 12).
Take right onto route 12.
Take First Right on Laurelwood Road.
Shelter is 1/2 mile on left (17 Laurelwood).

From Western MA (Leominster, Fitchburg, Gardner, Winchendon):

2 East to 190 South.
Take 190 South to Exit 6 (route 12).
Take Left on route 12.
Take First Right on Laurelwood Road.
Shelter is 1/2 mile on left (17 Laurelwood)

From Eastern MA (Boston):

2 West to 190 South.
Take 190 South to Exit 6 (route 12).
Take Left on route 12.
Take First Right on Laurelwood Road.
Shelter is 1/2 mile on left (17 Laurelwood)