Harnett County Animal Shelter, Adoption & Pets 2026

Address

1100 McKay Place, Lillington, NC 27546.

Use the map section below for directions and call first for event or weather changes.

Phone

910-814-2952 is the main Animal Services phone number.

910-814-0438 is also listed on county Animal Services pages.

Public hours

Monday–Friday: 10 AM–4 PM.

Saturday: 10 AM–2 PM. Sunday: closed.

Lunch closure

The shelter notes a weekday lunch closure from 12 PM–12:30 PM.

Do not plan a quick counter visit during that window.

Dogs, cats and other animals

The county adoption page displays current animals for adoption. Fees differ by altered status, species and veteran pricing.

Pet reunification

Rabies tags, tattoos and microchips help return pets home. The county also accepts lost/found form submissions with photos and details.

Rabies, nuisance and safety

The FAQ covers complaints, dog behavior concerns, bats, injured raccoons, rabies vaccination and when to call Animal Services or the Sheriff’s Department.

Dogs

Ask about leash behavior, kennel stress, energy level, bite history if known, spay/neuter status and how the dog handles new people.

Cats

Ask whether the cat is shy, social, litter trained, indoor-only, bonded, kitten-safe or best for a quiet household.

Small animals

Ask about enclosure size, diet, bedding, handling, temperature, lifespan and whether the animal should live alone or with a companion.

Poultry and livestock

Ask about zoning, fencing, shelter, feed, predator protection, transport and veterinary needs before adopting farm animals.

If your pet is missing

• Submit the official lost/found form with a photo if possible.
• Call 910-814-2952 and give the species, breed, color, weight, sex and last-seen location.
• Include rabies tag number, tattoo information and microchip information if available.
• Check the shelter in person if a listing or description may match your pet.
• Update your microchip registry with your current phone number and backup contact.
• Post local flyers and neighborhood alerts near the lost area.

If you found a pet

• Do not put yourself in danger with a scared, injured or aggressive animal.
• Submit the found-pet form with general area, date found, photo and description.
• Check for a collar, rabies tag or nearby owner.
• Ask about microchip scanning and the proper local process.
• Do not permanently rehome the animal without following proper lost/found steps.
• Let the county coordinate contact only with permission if a possible owner is found.

Name and address may be needed

The county FAQ explains that Animal Services needs a valid reason for going onto property, and a complainant may be needed if the case reaches court.

Talk first when safe

The FAQ suggests first discussing nuisance issues with the owner when safe, then calling the office if the problem continues.

Use urgent help

For active attacks, serious bites, immediate danger, severe injury or public-safety risk, use emergency services or the Sheriff’s Department route.

Before asking to surrender

• Call 910-814-2952 before bringing an owned animal.
• Ask whether surrender appointments, capacity limits or paperwork steps apply.
• Prepare the pet’s age, sex, breed/type, spay/neuter status and vaccination status.
• Be honest about bite history, aggression, escaping, fear, litter habits and medical needs.
• Ask about rehoming, rescue help, training support or low-cost spay/neuter resources first.

Documents to prepare

• Owner surrender form.
• Canine surrender profile for dogs.
• Feline surrender profile for cats.
• Vet records, rabies proof, medications and microchip information.
• Photos and notes about daily routine, triggers, training and preferred handling.

Rabies vaccine at shelter

The county FAQ says Harnett County Animal Services offers a 1-year rabies vaccination for pets at the shelter for $8.

Legal proof matters

Veterinary rabies vaccination provides a tag number that can be tracked and helps if your animal is lost or picked up.

Bite or exposure

For bites, scratches or possible rabies exposure, seek medical guidance and contact Animal Services or the proper emergency route quickly.

Not a public surgery clinic

Do not visit expecting the shelter to spay or neuter your privately owned pet.

Adopted shelter animals

The shelter can offer spay/neuter services for animals adopted from the shelter if they have not been altered already.

Use local resources

Use the county’s low-cost spay/neuter resource list and call clinics directly for eligibility, prices and appointment timing.

Volunteer

Volunteers help greet and assist the public, socialize animals and keep kennels clean. The county says volunteers must be at least 18.

Dog Day Out

The county promotes a Dog Day Out Program where approved participants can take a shelter dog out for the day.

Rescue partners

Rescues should complete the Rescue Partner Agreement and provide 501(c)(3) documentation as requested by the county.

Photo ID

Bring valid identification for adoption, reclaim, surrender questions, volunteer steps and official records.

Animal details

Bring animal name, ID, screenshot, photo, last-seen area or found-location details depending on your purpose.

Rabies records

Bring rabies proof, tag number, microchip number, tattoo information and vet records if reclaiming or reporting.

Housing approval

If you rent, confirm pet permission, breed limits, size limits, pet deposit and number-of-pets rules before adoption.

Safe transport

Bring a secure carrier for cats and a leash, harness, collar, crate or safe vehicle plan for dogs.

Payment method

Bring payment and confirm exact adoption, reclaim or rabies-vaccine fees before checkout.

First 24 hours

• Keep the pet in a quiet starter space.
• Do not introduce every visitor, child and resident pet immediately.
• Use leash or carrier handling even if the animal seems calm.
• Expect hiding, pacing, barking, whining or reduced appetite.
• Keep adoption, rabies, microchip and spay/neuter paperwork together.

Days 2–7

• Build predictable food, potty, walk and sleep routines.
• Introduce resident pets slowly and safely.
• Watch for coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, limping, refusal to eat or severe anxiety.
• Schedule a veterinary follow-up if recommended.
• Ask for training or behavior help early if concerns appear.

Arrive early

Do not arrive near closing if you need adoption questions, paperwork, fees or reclaim proof review.

Avoid lunch closure

Monday–Friday lunch closure is listed as 12 PM–12:30 PM.

Check first Saturday

The shelter is typically at Petco in Dunn on the first Saturday of each month.

Before visiting

• Do not visit during the weekday lunch closure expecting counter service.
• Do not forget the first-Saturday Petco event change.
• Do not drive for one animal without checking availability first.
• Do not assume every wildlife issue is handled the same way.
• Do not expect public spay/neuter service for privately owned pets.

Before adopting, reporting or surrendering

• Do not hide bite, behavior or medical history when discussing surrender.
• Do not handle injured wildlife or rabies-suspect animals.
• Do not assume a feed-store rabies vaccine counts as legal vaccination proof.
• Do not permanently rehome a found pet without reporting it properly.
• Do not adopt without a first-week decompression and transport plan.