Beginning Friday, March 1st – Monday, March 18th the shelter will be undergoing maintenance/repairs associated with the Hurricane and as a result will be under limited operations. All traffic will enter and exit from the rear of the building during this time and hours of operation could fluctuate.
The mission of New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Unit is to protect the public from the threat of rabies virus exposure and to ensure proper animal care, through prevention, public perception, and education.
The Animal Services Unit is a unit of the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. It is the responsibility of this unit to enforce all state laws and county health regulations pertaining to domestic animals and the county animal control ordinance. In addition, the Animal Services Unit will cooperate with any other law enforcement agency that may need assistance in handling any form of a domestic animal.
Phone calls and walk-ins are welcome between the hours of 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Animals are available for adoption at the shelter at 180 Division Drive, Monday through Friday, from 11 am until 3:45 p.m. and Saturday 8-12 p.m. Animals may be viewed on our adoption page, http://www.adoptapet.com/new-hanover-sheriffs-office-animal-services-unit/
Animal complaints may be called in to the main office at 910-798-7500 during the hours of 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. After-hours emergencies, such as an animal bite or injured animal, may be reported through the 911 Center.
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You may help the animals of NHC by sending a tax-deductible donation to the shelter at 180 Division Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401. You may also donate by clicking here:
Volunteers are needed and welcome at our facility for a variety of areas of interest. You must be at least eighteen years of age according to county policy. Follow this link or visit the shelter to complete your volunteer application.
Existing volunteers, follow this link to schedule yourself.
NCDOT will only pick up deceased animals if they are on a state maintained road or state right of way. Their numbers are as follows:
Sanitation, City – 910-341-7875
Sanitation, County – 910-341-0500
Sanitation, Carolina Beach – 910-458-2999
Please call Animal Services at 910-798-7500 to appeal the civil citation and basic inquires or 911 to report complaints, abuse, neglect or any other priority calls.
Dogs, cats, and ferrets are required to have a current rabies vaccination starting at four months of age, which must be maintained for the duration of the pet’s life. The county registration serves as a means of ensuring that the rabies vaccination is kept current. Neutered animals cost a lower fee to register than intact animals, to encourage reduced pet overpopulation. (Specialty pet registrations are also available.)
Fees are as follows:
Cat/Dog/Ferret Under 1 Year of Age
1 Year License:
Spayed & Neutered: $10.00
Not Spayed or Neutered: $10.00
Cat/Dog/Ferret 1 Year of Age or Older
1 Year License:
Spayed & Neutered: $10.00
Not Spayed or Neutered: $20.00
Cat/Dog 1 Year of Age or Older
3 Year License:
Spayed & Neutered: $25.00
Not Spayed or Neutered: $50.00
Cats / Dogs / Ferrets
05 – 10 animals: $45.00
11 – 20 animals: $70.00
21 or more animals: $100.00
There is no refund due to death or loss of ownership of an animal.
Address of where to send registration payments:
NHCASU
180 Division Drive
Wilmington, NC 28401
The Animal Services Unit desires to provide the best possible homes for our available animals. Be sure you are ready for the responsibility of a new pet before you take one home. They deserve a family that will care for all their needs for as long as they live, which could be several decades in some cases. The adoption cost is a $60 non-refundable fee. * You must also pay the $10 County registration fee which is payable at the time of adoption
Animals may be adopted from the shelter between 11:00 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday 8-12 p.m.
All animals have been spayed or neutered prior to being placed in our adoption area. They have also received routine vaccinations and deworming for hooks and rounds. Dogs are not tested for heartworms.
Refunds for adoptions may be granted if the following conditions are met:
The amount of refund will be the total of adoption fee and county license fee, if purchased and returned. The adoptee is responsible for any charges by the veterinarian.
For Registration Fees click on the Registration tab above.
Shelter
$10.00 per day
$15.00 per day bite animals/dangerous dogs
Adoption
Cats/Dogs/Ferrets $60.00
Other – Large $15.00
Other – Small $ 3.00
Redemption (all animals)
1st offense $20.00
2nd offense $60.00
3rd offense $100.00
4th offense $150.00
5th or more $250.00
Miscellaneous Fees
Euthanasia Fee $20.00
Breeder Permit $20.00
Owned Animal Pick-up $20.00
Collars/Leashes $5.00
Civil Citations
Click here to download PDF
ASU staff presents each case. The following information is excluded from the initial panel’s presentation: dog owner and victim identification, dog breed, and location of the incident. These are omitted to prevent any bias in the initial panel’s determination.
Dogs that are found to be in violation of any of the panel’s decisions or ordinance may be confiscated by ASU staff and their owner cited.
An owner who violates the stipulations in a willful or grossly negligent manner may be found by the panel to have forfeited all rights of ownership of the dog. Upon final determination of such violation, the dog may be humanely euthanized by ASU.
ASU receives numerous citizen complaint calls regarding many animal-related situations. The complaints should be handled in order of priority dependent upon public safety concerns and animal cruelty issues. Both areas are a major concern to the unit; however, human safety must take precedence over animal risk in every situation. After-hours calls may be received through the same number or by contacting the 911 center.
North Carolina enacted the dangerous/potentially dangerous dog law in October 1990 to ensure the safety of our citizens. New Hanover County adheres to this law by following these procedures:
ASU receives numerous citizen complaint calls regarding many animal-related situations. The complaints should be handled in order of priority dependent upon public safety concerns and animal cruelty issues. Both areas are a major concern to the division; however, human safety must take precedence over animal risk in every situation. Calls are received at the shelter Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. @ 910-798-7500. After-hours calls may be received through the same number or by contacting the 911 center.
Note: After-hours emergency response is limited to rabies exposure situations, such as an animal bite; injured or sick animals where no owner is present; or law enforcement assistance.
Animal-related complaints will be handled by Animal Control Officers in the following order:
All animal bites to a human must be reported to Animal Services Unit. Healthcare professionals are required by law to report animal bites to their area animal control agency.
The following procedures must be followed in confinement of dogs, cats, and ferrets:
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can be prevented but not cured.
Follow these guidelines to make sure you and your pets are protected:
What happens to animals that Animal Services Unit (ASU) picks up?
Animals surrendered at the shelter or picked up in the field as strays are held at our facility for three or five working days, Sundays and Holidays are not included.
The animals are held three working days, if the animal had no apparent owner.
The animals are held five working days if the animal seems to have had an owner, for example, a neutered male, a collar, recently clipped, etc.
Animals surrendered by the owner become the immediate property of NHC.
After the holding period, during which time the owner may redeem their pet, the animals become NHC property. At this point, shelter staff determines which ones may be placed for adoption.
The animals are given a physical exam, vaccinated, dewormed, and checked for open wounds, which may have been inflicted by a potential rabies vector.
The ones who are adoptable are placed in our adoption area (no specified time limit), awaiting a new home. Unfortunately, far more animals are surrendered for placement than those seeking new companions.
What do I do if I find a stray animal?
County ordinance requires that all stray animals be surrendered to ASU within 24 hours of capture. If the individual desires to keep the pet, they may advertise in the local newspaper with the largest circulation for five consecutive days. This advertisement must be started within 72 hours of claiming the pet. If the initial owner does not claim their pet after ten days, the individual who placed the advertisement shall be deemed the legal owner.
Do you adopt animals?
Yes, between the hours of 11am-3:45pm, Monday through Friday and Saturday 8-12 p.m. The adoption fee is $60.00, which includes pet neutering (mandatory), vaccinations including rabies (dog or cat), deworming for hooks and rounds, and a collar and a leash/cat-box. (See petharbor.com to view available pets.)
When does my pet need its rabies vaccination? County registration?
The first vaccination is done when your pet reach four month’s of age. This vaccination is good for one year. The next vaccination given is will be good for three years. You are required by NC State law to have this done, even if your pet never goes outside. You are also required by NHC Ordinance to pay a licensing fee every year. This fee is renewable along with your rabies vaccination. Kennel fees are available, if you meet the stipulations. (See Fee Schedule.)
Where do you have jurisdiction?
ASU has jurisdiction throughout New Hanover County, excluding Wrightsville Beach. Wilmington residents fall under the ordinance as well as county residents.
How many pets may I own?
No restrictions on county residence. Residence within city limits refer to Chapter 6 section 2.2 (permits for kennels/meaning 5 or more dogs) https://www.municode.com/library/nc/wilmington/codes/code_of_ordinance.
What happens if my pet bites someone?
Your pet will need to be quarantined for ten days, because no vaccine is 100% effective. This is done for the victim’s protection, to allow ASU personnel to monitor the animal for symptoms of rabies.
Pets with a current rabies vaccination at the time of the bite may be confined at their home, if a suitable area is available. An Animal Services Officer will periodically check the pet until the confinement is over.
Pets without a current rabies vaccination at the time of the bite must be confined at ASU, a veterinary hospital, or an approved kennel. (Owner must pay all kenneling fees.)
Pets running loose at the time of the bite must be confined at ASU, a veterinary hospital, or an approved kennel, regardless of rabies vaccination status. (Owner must pay all kenneling fees.)
Pets with a current rabies vaccination at the time of the bite may be confined at their home, if a suitable area is available. An Animal Services Officer will periodically check the pet until the confinement is over.
Why are cats allowed to run loose?
Although cats are more difficult to keep contained than most dogs; they fall under the same ordinance restrictions as dogs. Responsible pet owners find appropriate methods to protect their pet’s welfare.
What about dogs running loose?
Dogs running loose are not allowed throughout the county. There is a county-wide leash law enforced, including the City of Wilmington. (See Ordinance.)
Why can’t I tie my dog out in my yard?
It is a violation of the county ordinance to keep your pet tied out in your yard.
How is a dog declared dangerous/potentially dangerous?
There are three criteria that a dog may be declared under the law:
Victims and dog owners should inquire at the office to complete paperwork for the Initial Panel to review in these determinations. (See Ordinance.)
What are the differences between ASU and the Humane Society?
ASU is a government agency for NHC. We have officers that are available to respond to customer complaints, even in emergency situations. We are required to accept all animals surrendered by NHC residents.
The Humane Society is a private group that operates an animal shelter and a public regional spay/neuter facility. They have the right to refuse animals, since they are a private organization. Call them at (910) 763-6692.
The two groups work together for the benefit of the animals in the county.
Where are you (ASU) located?
ASU is located at 180 Division Drive. Division Drive runs from Castle Hayne Road to 23rd Street just north of the entrance to the airport. (910) 798-7500.
Please call Animal Services at 910-798-7500 or 911 to report complaints, abuse, neglect or any other priority calls.
Animal Services Unit
180 Division Dr.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-798-7500 main office
910-341-4349 fax
Hours of Operation
M-F 8-4:00
M-F 11:00 until 3:45pm for adoptions and Redemptions
Sat- 8-12pm