Alamance County Animal Shelter: Adoption & Pets 2026
Use this guide to adopt a pet, check Burlington Animal Services hours, call the right animal-control agency, search lost and found pets, handle a found animal, request pet admission, use pet-help resources, donate, or find low-cost vaccine and spay/neuter support.
Important local distinction: the public shelter/adoption center for this search is Burlington Animal Services Pet Adoption & Resource Center. Animal-control enforcement depends on your town or county location.
Alamance County Animal Shelter Guide Menu
- Clickable action cards
- Hours, address and identity
- Animal control numbers
- 2026 adoption and service fees
- Adoption micro-steps
- Lost and found pet steps
- Pet admissions and surrender
- Cats, kittens and Mighty Mousers
- Pet help clinics and BAS Clinic
- Foster and donate
- Before you leave home
- Call scripts
- Map
- Official links
- 10 FAQs
Clickable Alamance County Pet Help Cards
Choose the action that matches your situation. This keeps the article useful for real visitors, not just search engines.
Hours, Address and What “Alamance County Animal Shelter” Means
Most local searches for “Alamance County Animal Shelter” lead to Burlington Animal Services Pet Adoption & Resource Center.
| Item | Official detail | What to do | Local tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelter/adoption center | Burlington Animal Services Pet Adoption & Resource Center. | Use BAS for adoption, lost/found shelter checks, foster, donations and pet help resources. | Do not confuse shelter services with county field enforcement. |
| Address | 221 Stone Quarry Road, Burlington, NC 27217. | Use the map below for directions. | Save the route before leaving; bring a leash or carrier if you may transport an animal. |
| Phone | 336-578-0343. | Call before an adoption, surrender/admission, found-pet visit or late-day trip. | Ask whether the specific pet or program you need is available today. |
| Regular public hours | Monday-Friday 8am-5pm; Saturday 10am-4pm. | Plan visits inside those hours unless an official event says otherwise. | Saturday can be better for families, but pet listings can change quickly. |
| Extended seasonal activity note | About page notes Tuesday/Thursday open until 6:30pm for pet adoption, foster and volunteer activities during Daylight Saving Time. | Call before relying on late hours. | Use late hours for planned adoption/foster/volunteer activity, not surprise drop-offs. |
Animal Control Numbers: Call the Right Agency
Do not call one number for every animal issue. Location decides the correct field-service route.
| Location / issue | Call / contact | Use for | What to say |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency | 911 | Human safety emergency, severe injury, dangerous immediate threat or after-hours emergency assistance. | “There is an animal emergency at [exact location].” |
| Burlington | 336-229-3500 or animalcontrol@burlingtonnc.gov | Burlington animal concerns and field-service reports. | “This is inside Burlington city limits.” |
| Gibsonville | 336-449-6677 | Gibsonville local animal-control contact. | “This is inside Gibsonville.” |
| Elon | 336-584-1301 | Elon animal-control contact. | “This is inside Elon.” |
| Graham | 336-570-6777 | Graham animal-control contact. | “This is inside Graham.” |
| Haw River | 336-578-4141 | Haw River animal-control contact. | “This is inside Haw River.” |
| All other Alamance County | 336-570-6302 | County animal control; cruelty, nuisance animals, dangerous/noisy dogs and ordinance issues. | “This is outside city limits at [address/cross street].” |
2026 Adoption, Reclaim and Service Fees
The 2026 City of Burlington fee schedule lists the main BAS shelter fees. Special events may reduce adoption prices, so verify the current pet listing and calendar.
| Fee type | 2026 amount | What it means | Ask before paying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog adoption | $90 | Regular dog adoption fee in the 2026 fee schedule. | “Is this pet under a current adoption special?” |
| Cat adoption | $50 | Regular cat adoption fee. | “Is the cat already sterilized and vaccinated?” |
| BAS pet placement partner adoption with spay/neuter services | $75 | Partner placement/adoption fee listed in fee schedule. | “Does this apply to this animal or program?” |
| Mighty Mouser cat adoption | $10 | Community cat / working cat program fee. | “Is this a Mighty Mouser placement or regular cat adoption?” |
| Small pet adoption | $5 | Hamster, gerbil, chicken or small common pet bird category. | “What supplies and care does this pet need?” |
| Small livestock / exotic pet | $25 | Goat, sheep, pig, parrot, cockatoo and similar category. | “Are there zoning or enclosure requirements?” |
| Large livestock adoption | $250 | Equine/bovine category in fee schedule. | “What transport and property proof are needed?” |
| Reclaim, first instance | $25 | Pet admitted after being found off owner’s property. | “Are boarding fees also due?” |
| Reclaim, second instance | $50 | Second admitted-off-property instance. | “Which instance level applies?” |
| Reclaim, third and later | $100 | Third or greater admitted-off-property instance. | “What is the full total today?” |
| Regular boarding | $20 per day | Regular boarding fee listed by the fee schedule. | “How many days are being charged?” |
| Humane trap lease | $40 refundable deposit | Trap lease deposit listed in the fee schedule. | “What are the return rules?” |
How to Adopt from Burlington Animal Services
Use the live pet list first, then call or visit with the right questions.
Open the live pet listings
Start from the official pets page. Save the pet name, ID, species, age, notes and any adoption-special message.
Confirm the pet is still available
Call 336-578-0343. Ask whether the pet is at BAS, in foster, on hold, or at an event.
Ask about current fee
Regular 2026 fees are listed, but specials can change the cost. Ask for the exact total for that pet today.
Bring a carrier or leash
Use a cat carrier for cats and a leash for dogs. Bring ID and any household decision-makers if needed.
Ask the right fit questions
Ask about medical care, vaccines, spay/neuter status, behavior, foster notes, kids, dogs, cats, apartment/rental suitability and return policy.
Plan the first 72 hours at home
Set up a quiet room, food, water, litter/yard routine, vet follow-up, ID tag and microchip update.
Lost or Found Pet in Alamance County
BAS strongly emphasizes neighborhood reunification, microchips, ID tags and online lost/found tools.
If your pet is lost
- View pets at Burlington Animal Services; BAS says new admissions are posted to the website within 1 hour of arrival.
- Report your missing pet through Petco Love Lost and search found-pet reports.
- Share on local lost/found Facebook groups, PawBoost, Nextdoor and nearby neighborhood channels.
- Search close to home: BAS notes 80% of lost pets are found within 1 mile of where they live or were lost.
- Update the microchip registry with your current phone and address.
- Use current ID tags and rabies tag; BAS says multiple forms of ID increase reunion chances.
- Check daily because lost or stray pets may be rehomed after 72 hours unless the owner is identified.
If you found an animal
- Check for a tag and contact the owner directly if possible.
- Have the pet scanned for a microchip at a veterinarian, shelter or community scan station.
- Report the found pet through the official BAS lost/found tools.
- Walk or drive near the found location and talk with neighbors.
- Create found-pet signs and post near where the animal was found.
- Read the admissions/rehoming page before bringing the pet to BAS.
- If the pet is sick, injured, has bitten someone or is in immediate danger, contact the correct animal-control route.
Pet Admissions, Rehoming and Surrender
BAS uses triage. Emergency and urgent cases are prioritized; non-emergency pet admissions and owner surrenders require appointments.
| Situation | Best action | Why it matters | Ask this |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sick, injured, bite, rabies exposure, immediate danger | Call BAS during business hours or 911 after hours for emergency assistance. | BAS says urgent cases are prioritized like an emergency-room triage system. | “Is this an emergency admission or field-service response?” |
| Found dog not in immediate danger | Use lost/found steps first; BAS may support you while the dog remains local. | BAS says many loose dogs are near home and more likely to reunite if kept local. | “Can I temporarily foster through BAS while searching for the owner?” |
| Owner surrender | Use rehoming resources first, then schedule a non-emergency admission appointment if needed. | BAS says shelters are stressful and intake may be delayed when not urgent. | “What support could help me keep or safely rehome my pet?” |
| After-hours closed shelter | Do not leave animals at the shelter. | BAS says leaving animals when closed is dangerous and violates North Carolina animal abandonment laws. | “Which emergency number should I use?” |
| Pet care crisis | Use pet help resources. | BAS lists support such as pet food, veterinary care, pet-friendly housing help and safety-net resources. | “Can pet food, vet assistance, behavior support or temporary help solve this?” |
Community Cats, Kittens and Mighty Mousers
Not every outdoor cat is lost. BAS gives separate guidance for owned cats, free-roaming community cats and young kittens.
Outdoor cats
BAS says many cats live indoor/outdoor or entirely outdoors and are usually close to home. If healthy, removing them may reduce their chance of returning home.
Mighty Mousers
The BAS Mighty Mouser Community Cat program provides free or very low-cost spay/neuter and wellness support for free-roaming community cats.
Young kittens
If you find a mother cat with kittens under about six weeks old and they are nursing, BAS says leaving them with the mother is usually their best chance of survival.
Pet Help Clinics, Vaccines, Microchips and Spay/Neuter Support
BAS runs community pet-help clinics and a clinic program at the shelter location.
Community Pet Help Resource Clinics
- 2026 page lists several clinic dates across Alamance County.
- Typical services include rabies vaccines, DA2PPV for dogs, FVRCP for cats, pet food, microchips and spay/neuter resources.
- Rabies is listed at $10, free when sponsorship or grant funding is available.
- DA2PPV and FVRCP are listed as free thanks to Petco Love.
- Microchips are listed at $20 including registration.
- Dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in carriers.
BAS Clinic and BAS FIX
- BAS Clinic is located inside the Burlington Pet Adoption and Resource Center.
- The BAS Clinic page says qualified residents may access dog or cat spay/neuter for as little as a $20 co-pay through BAS FIX.
- Eligibility includes Alamance County and certain Burlington, Gibsonville or Mebane areas, plus income qualifications.
- Use the clinic page or call BAS before assuming funding or appointment availability.
Foster, Volunteer and Donate
BAS asks the community to help keep positive outcomes high through adoption, foster, volunteering and donations.
Foster
BAS needs fosters for cats, dogs, puppies and kittens year-round, including special pets like seniors, shy animals and pets recovering from surgery.
Volunteer
Use BAS Get Involved pages to support adoption events, enrichment, pet care and community programs.
Donate supplies
Most-needed items listed include pet food, Miracle Nipples, KMR, towels, blankets, sheets, small litter boxes and pet heating pads.
Pet food pantry
Donated food supports foster pets, community safety-net services and the Emergency Pet Food Pantry.
Accepted items
Leashes, collars, harnesses, blankets, bath towels, pet beds, toys, treats, crates, carriers and some pet medical supplies are accepted.
Items to avoid
BAS says it cannot accept rawhide treats/toys, rope toys, bed pillows, mattress covers or empty medicine bottles.
Before You Leave Home
Pet listing screenshot, current fee question, ID, carrier/leash, rental approval, quiet-home setup plan.
Recent photo, microchip number, collar/tag details, rabies tag, neighborhood search plan and Petco Love Lost report.
Exact location, photo, tag/microchip check, local neighbor posts and animal-control number if urgent.
Appointment, records, behavior notes, reason for surrender and list of pet-help solutions already tried.
Map: Burlington Animal Services Pet Adoption & Resource Center
Use this map for shelter visits. For field-service issues, call the correct animal-control agency first.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Adoption
Hi, I am interested in [pet name/ID]. Is this pet still available, is there an adoption special today, and what should I bring if I visit?Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat] is missing near [street/town]. Description: [color/size/collar/microchip]. Has a matching pet arrived at BAS, and what should I do next?Found pet
Hi, I found a [dog/cat] near [exact location]. The pet is [safe/injured/aggressive]. I checked for [tag/microchip/not yet]. Should I use lost/found tools, animal control, or admissions?Surrender / pet help
Hi, I may need to surrender my pet because [reason]. Before scheduling admission, can you tell me whether pet food, vet assistance, behavior help, foster support or rehoming resources may help?Official Alamance County Animal Shelter Links
The key details are already summarized above. Use these official pages for live listings, current forms, fees and final confirmation.
Alamance County Animal Shelter FAQ
What is the main animal shelter for Alamance County adoption searches?
The main public shelter and adoption center for this search is Burlington Animal Services Pet Adoption & Resource Center in Burlington, North Carolina.
Where is Burlington Animal Services located?
Burlington Animal Services Pet Adoption & Resource Center is located at 221 Stone Quarry Road, Burlington, NC 27217.
What is the Alamance County animal shelter phone number?
The Burlington Animal Services Pet Adoption & Resource Center phone number is 336-578-0343.
What are Burlington Animal Services hours?
Official hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The About page also notes extended adoption, foster and volunteer activity hours on Tuesday and Thursday during Daylight Saving Time.
Who do I call for Alamance County Animal Control?
For all other Alamance County locations outside listed city contacts, call Alamance County Animal Control at 336-570-6302. For emergencies, call 911.
How much is dog adoption at Burlington Animal Services in 2026?
The 2026 City of Burlington fee schedule lists regular dog adoption at $90, though adoption specials may reduce the fee.
How much is cat adoption at Burlington Animal Services in 2026?
The 2026 City of Burlington fee schedule lists regular cat adoption at $50, while Mighty Mouser cat adoption is listed at $10.
What should I do if my pet is lost in Alamance County?
Check BAS live shelter listings, report your pet through Petco Love Lost, update the microchip registry, search within one mile of where the pet was lost, post locally, and check shelter listings quickly because lost or stray pets may be rehomed after 72 hours unless the owner is identified.
Should I bring a found pet directly to BAS?
Not always. BAS asks finders to use lost/found resources first and read the admissions and rehoming page before bringing a found pet, because non-urgent admissions may be delayed and location-based reunification can work better.
Are owner surrenders walk-in at BAS?
No. BAS says appointments are required for non-emergency pet admissions, including owner surrenders. Emergency or urgent situations are prioritized.
Animal 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.