An animal safety cage includes a locking mechanism to secure a door of the cage to prevent escape or kidnapping of an animal placed within. The locking mechanism may accept and verify identifying information of a person seeking to temporarily place an animal within the enclosure, and may conditionally allow the person to do so based on the result of the verification. While the animal is placed within the enclosure, the identifying information may be used to transmit reminder messages and/or charge fees to induce the person to retrieve the animal within a reasonable period of time. Either a captive key or further verification of identifying information may be used to conditionally allow subsequent retrieval of the animal.
