Quick Details for Guilford County Animal Shelter
What Guilford County Animal Shelter Does
Guilford County Animal Services is the public animal shelter and animal resource center serving Guilford County, North Carolina. Most visitors use the shelter to adopt dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other available pets, search for lost animals, reclaim a pet, report a found animal, ask about surrender appointments, or contact animal control for county animal issues.
The shelter is located at 980 Guilford College Road in Greensboro. The county states that adoptions are open from noon to 4 PM every day except Tuesdays. Walk-up registration is available for adoptions, and no appointment is required for adoption visits. However, there may be wait time after registration, especially during busy weekends, adoption events, or high-intake periods.
Guilford County Animal Shelter Adoption Hours 2026
Guilford County Animal Services lists adoption hours as noon to 4 PM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The shelter is closed for public adoptions on Tuesdays. Holiday closures or limited-service days may happen, so always check the official Guilford County Animal Services page before driving to the shelter.
| Day | Adoption Status | Best Visitor Use |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Noon–4 PM | Good weekday option for adopters who want fewer weekend crowds. |
| Tuesday | Closed for adoptions | Use the website to review pets and prepare questions. |
| Wednesday | Noon–4 PM | Useful midweek visit day for dog or cat meet-and-greets. |
| Thursday | Noon–4 PM | Arrive early enough for registration, wait time, and interaction. |
| Friday | Noon–4 PM | Good day to adopt before the weekend if the pet is ready to go home. |
| Saturday | Noon–4 PM | Often busier; plan extra time and have backup pet choices. |
| Sunday | Noon–4 PM | Weekend option for families who cannot visit during the workweek. |
Guilford County Animal Shelter Adoption Fees
Guilford County Animal Services publishes adoption fees by animal category. Dog and cat adoptions include important care items such as age-appropriate vaccines, rabies vaccine when applicable, microchip, spay/neuter, full body checkup, and flea and tick treatment for the month.
| Animal Type | Published Adoption Fee | What to Know Before Visiting |
|---|---|---|
| Kittens, six months and under | $75 | Availability can change quickly, especially during kitten season. |
| Puppies, six months and under | $75 | Expect high interest; arrive with backup options. |
| Adult dogs | $75 | Meet the dog in person and ask staff about energy level, behavior, and home fit. |
| Adult cats | $75 | Ask about temperament, litter habits, and whether the cat has special home needs. |
| Senior dogs | $25 | Senior pets can be a strong match for calmer homes. |
| Senior cats | $10 | A low-cost option for adopters open to older pets. |
| Rabbits and guinea pigs | $25 | Ask about housing, diet, handling, and long-term care needs. |
| Other animals | Varies | Check with the front desk for current pricing. |
Adoption promotions may temporarily reduce fees, but those promotions should not be treated as permanent. Always confirm the current fee on the official adoption page or with the shelter before planning your visit.
How to Adopt from Guilford County Animal Services
The Guilford County adoption process is designed around in-person visits. All adopters must be at least 18 years old, have a valid government-issued ID, meet the pet in person, and spend at least 15 minutes with the pet before adoption. The shelter also states that pets are not held or reserved and adoptions operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Search available pets first: Review dogs, cats, and other animals on the official county adoption page before visiting.
- Visit during adoption hours: Go between noon and 4 PM on any day except Tuesday.
- Register as a walk-up visitor: No appointment is needed for adoption walk-up registration, but wait time is possible.
- Meet the pet in person: The county requires adopters to spend time with the animal before adopting.
- Ask practical questions: Ask about behavior, medical notes, spay/neuter status, age, and transition needs.
- Complete the adoption: If the animal is already spayed or neutered, the adoption may be completed that day. If not, completion may happen on the surgery pickup day.
What to Bring Before You Visit
- Valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport.
- Payment method for adoption fees.
- Proof of address if requested for records or local requirements.
- Rental or landlord approval if your housing has pet restrictions.
- Photos or notes about current pets if staff asks about household fit.
- A cat carrier or safe transport plan for small pets.
- A leash, collar, or safe vehicle setup for a dog adoption.
- Enough time to register, wait, meet the pet, ask questions, and complete paperwork before closing.
Lost Pets, Found Pets, and Reclaim Help
If your pet is missing in Guilford County, check the county’s lost-pet resources quickly. Time matters because shelter intake, reclaim windows, identification, and medical needs can move fast. Look through online listings, visit in person if needed, and bring proof of ownership such as photos, microchip information, vet records, or license details.
If you found a stray pet, Guilford County Animal Services says you do not need an appointment to bring in a found stray. Still, it is smart to check current guidance before transporting an animal, especially if the pet is injured, aggressive, newborn, or may belong to someone nearby.
Owner Surrender Rules and Appointment Guidance
Owner surrender is different from adoption or reclaim visits. Guilford County states that owner surrenders are open by appointment only so the shelter can make sure space is available. This means pet owners should not arrive expecting to surrender an animal without prior approval.
Before surrendering a pet, ask whether a support option could keep the animal safely in the home. Temporary foster help, pet food support, behavior help, veterinary care, family placement, or a rescue partner may be worth exploring first. Public shelters often manage high animal volume, so calling ahead is both practical and responsible.
Guilford County Animal Control Information
Guilford County Animal Control is open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM and closed on Sundays. For services on Sunday, after hours, or holidays, the county directs residents to call the Metro 911 non-emergency number at 336-373-2222. For emergencies, call 911.
Use animal control for issues such as dangerous animals, loose animals, animal complaints, bite concerns, welfare concerns, or other county animal matters. Use the adoption shelter pages for pet adoption, available pets, lost pets, found pets, foster information, volunteer opportunities, and surrender scheduling.
Foster, Volunteer, Donate, and Community Pet Help
Guilford County Animal Services also supports foster homes, volunteers, donations, transfer partners, rabies clinic information, shelter events, and spay/neuter resources. These programs help reduce shelter crowding and give pets more chances to leave the shelter safely.
Official Links for Guilford County Animal Shelter
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Going on Tuesday for adoption: Public adoptions are open every day except Tuesday.
- Assuming a pet can be held: Guilford County states that pets are not held or reserved.
- Skipping the in-person meeting: Adopters must meet the pet in person and spend time with the animal before adopting.
- Arriving too late: The adoption window is noon to 4 PM, and wait time is possible after registration.
- Forgetting ID: Adopters must be 18 or older and have valid government-issued identification.
- Confusing surrender with stray intake: Owner surrenders require appointments, while found stray pets do not require a surrender appointment.
- Relying on outdated fee promotions: Special adoption campaigns may reduce fees temporarily, but standard fees should be checked on the official adoption page.
Source Verification and Accuracy Note
Independent guide: This page is an informational directory guide and is not the official Guilford County government website.
Official sources checked before writing: Guilford County Animal Services home page, Guilford County Adopt a Pet page, adoption fee information, surrender guidance, and animal control information. Shelter hours, fees, pet availability, holiday closures, appointment requirements, and animal control procedures can change, so always confirm directly with Guilford County before visiting.
Visitor Snapshot: Is Guilford County Animal Shelter Right for You?
Good fit if you want a public county shelter with dog, cat, and small animal adoptions, clear adoption hours, published fees, and walk-up registration.
Useful for owners searching for lost pets, people who found a stray animal, and residents who need county animal control direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guilford County Animal Services is located at 980 Guilford College Road, Greensboro, NC 27409.
The main phone number for Guilford County Animal Services is 336-641-3400.
Adoptions are open from noon to 4 PM every day except Tuesday. No appointment is needed for adoption walk-up registration.
No. Guilford County says no appointment is required for adoption walk-up registration. There may be wait time after you register.
Published adoption fees are $75 for kittens, puppies, adult dogs, and adult cats. Senior dogs are $25 and senior cats are $10. Rabbits and guinea pigs are $25, while other animal fees vary.
No. Guilford County Animal Services states that pets are not held or reserved and adoptions are handled first come, first served based on walk-in order.
Yes. Guilford County says owner surrenders are by appointment only to make sure space is available.
For Sunday, after-hours, and holiday animal control services, call the Metro 911 non-emergency number at 336-373-2222. For emergencies, call 911.
Final Takeaway
Guilford County Animal Shelter, officially Guilford County Animal Services, is the main public animal resource center for adoption, lost pets, found pets, owner surrender appointments, and animal control support in Guilford County. The most important details are the 980 Guilford College Road address, the 336-641-3400 phone number, adoption hours from noon to 4 PM every day except Tuesday, and the need to check official county pages before visiting.
Map to Guilford County Animal Services
Use this map link for directions to 980 Guilford College Road, Greensboro, NC 27409. Confirm current hours and service rules before traveling.
Open Map & DirectionsAnimal Shelter Action Planner: Lost Pet, Found Pet, Adoption, Reclaim & Surrender Helper
Use this free tool to create a practical next-step plan before visiting or contacting an animal shelter, humane society, rescue, or animal control agency. It does not search a live shelter database, but it helps you prepare the right documents, questions, safety steps, and official-source searches.
Build a USA-wide shelter action plan
Select your situation and location. The tool will create a general action plan, search links, call questions, and a copyable checklist.
Lost pet recovery checklist
Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.
Found pet safety decision helper
Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.
Adoption readiness checker
This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.
Pet reclaim document checklist
If your pet may be at a shelter, prepare proof before visiting. Exact requirements and fees vary by agency.
Owner surrender preparation helper
Surrender rules vary. Many shelters require appointments, proof of residence, behavior/medical information, and may offer alternatives.
Animal control contact decision helper
Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.
Adoption and first-month budget planner
This is a planning guide, not a shelter fee database. Always confirm adoption fees and included services with the shelter.
Your generated shelter plan
Your action plan, search links, call script, checklist, or budget guide will appear here.
Start with the Planner tab
Select your state, city/county/ZIP, pet type, and goal. The tool will create a practical USA-wide shelter action plan.
Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.