1. Continue past Shift 12
The first Slime Shift is not guaranteed on exactly Shift 12. Keep the same run going through the confirmed Shift 12-23 window.
How to Find Sam in Animal Hospital
Finish a Slime Shift, meet Sam at check-in, and decide whether his three-shift cleanup support is worth $250.
Quick answer: the first Slime Shift can occur between Shifts 12 and 23. Complete it, then wait for Sam at the check-in window. Hiring him costs $250 and gives three shifts of slime, Hider, and room-fire cleanup.
| Checkpoint | Confirmed detail | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| First appearance | After the first Slime Shift | Finish the shift and return to the check-in flow |
| Possible shift range | Shifts 12-23 | Do not restart only because he has not appeared at Shift 12 |
| Hire cost | $250 | Keep enough cash before the Slime Shift ends |
| Time hired | Three shifts | Use those shifts for slime, Hider, and fire coverage |
| Journal reward | 5 Animal Coins | Encounter Sam for the first time |
Checked July 27, 2026.
Sam's shift window, price, duties, and three-shift duration were cross-checked against current gameplay records and independent update coverage. The developer's public Roblox event page does not provide a detailed mechanic list.
Find and Hire Sam Step by Step
2. Complete the Slime Shift
Avoid Slimebert, keep patients alive, and wait for the green-fog shift to finish. Sam does not replace the Hazmat team during that first event.
3. Return to check-in
After the Slime Shift, watch the check-in window. Sam appears as a calico cat in a yellow Hazmat suit and offers cleanup help.
4. Pay $250 if you need support
Once hired, Sam works for three shifts. He can clean slime, remove Hiders, and extinguish room fires before leaving.
What Sam Can and Cannot Do
Sam is a temporary cleanup NPC. His confirmed jobs are removing slime, dealing with Hiders, and putting out room fires. That makes him useful when a small team is losing time to environmental pressure.
He does not replace the admission check, treat normal patients, identify every anomaly, or stay permanently. He can also stumble or drop equipment, so keep playing the shift instead of assuming every hazard is covered.
Sam FAQ
When does Sam appear in Animal Hospital?
Sam first appears after the first Slime Shift, which can begin somewhere between Shifts 12 and 23. Finish that Slime Shift, then watch the check-in window for Sam.
How much does it cost to hire Sam?
Hiring Sam costs $250. He then works in the hospital for three shifts.
What does Sam do?
Sam cleans slime, removes Hiders, and extinguishes room fires. He is support staff, not a normal patient or anomaly.
Does Sam stay permanently?
No. Sam leaves after three shifts. He returns after later Slime Shifts and can be hired again.
Does finding Sam unlock a Journal entry?
Yes. The first Sam encounter awards the Sam first encounter Journal entry and 5 Animal Coins.