Show All Answers

1. What are your hours?

View hours of operation for:

• Animal Enforcement
• Animal Shelter

2. How do I adopt an animal from the shelter?

The Adoption Waiting List Form allows adopters interested in animals to be placed on a waiting list. Final adoption process must take place at the Animal Shelter. You must be 18 years old. Bring a legal ID with you. We cannot hold animals for you based on a phone call or email. We accept cash or card, no checks please. Most animals can be taken home the same day.

3. What does "last day" mean in the description of animals for adoption?

Because of the number of animals we see, we have to project our space availability and predict a date by which the animal needs to be adopted.

4. How do I check a pet's availability?

Check the Pet Availability Spreadsheet for the pet's available date and current status (adopted, redeemed, etc.). Please note there are separate tabs for Dogs and Cats at the bottom of the spreadsheet.

5. What do I do if I have an after-hours emergency?

For weekend and after-hours emergencies such as aggressive animals, bites, etc., please call 911. During regular operational hours, please contact Animal Enforcement.

6. How do I report a missing pet?

Register your lost pet online and you will be emailed automatically when an animal matching what you select is registered as found or shows up at our Shelter.

• Register a Lost Cat
• Register a Lost Dog

Learn more about what to do with lost and found animals.

7. What must I do if I have found a lost pet?

Learn more about lost and found tags, legal obligations to report a found animal, and more on our Lost and Found page.

8. What should I do if I have found an injured or potentially orphaned wild animal?

You will need to contact a Wildlife Rehabilitator from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Please note: it is illegal to keep any North Carolina wildlife without a permit and North Carolina law prohibits any native wildlife being kept as pets. This is why we have licensed wildlife rehabilitators. These are volunteers that have the resources to provide care for small mammals, birds, reptiles and some other species until the animal can be released back into their natural habitat.

9. What should I do if my neighbor's animals are on my property?

The Leash Law applies to all animals and requires that the owner maintain "restraint by a leash, harness, or similar effective or humane device that is capable of restraining an animal, or confinement indoors or within a cage, fence, or vehicle or similar secure enclosure." Please talk to your neighbor and try to resolve the issue. If you are unable to resolve the matter, you may contact our Animal Enforcement division to file a complaint.

10. I have a wild animal/reptile in my crawl space. Do you handle wildlife removal?

We are only able to remove wildlife if they are in your living space. Living space does not include your attic, chimney, crawl space, or exterior property. Contact our Animal Enforcement division for more information.

11. Do you loan traps?

No. Please contact Animal Enforcement for more information.

12. What should I do if I find young puppies or kittens that appear to be nursing age and there is no mother in sight?

Do not approach the animals but try to observe from a distance. If you do not see the mother return within 24 hours, please contact Animal Enforcement to retrieve the animals.