Davidson County Animal Shelter, Adoption & Pets 2026

Address

490 Glendale Road, Lexington, NC 27292.

Use this location for shelter adoption, reclaim, lost/found and general Animal Shelter visits.

Shelter phone

336-357-0805.

Call this number for adoption, lost/found, reclaim, surrender and shelter visit questions.

Public hours

Monday–Friday: 11 AM–5 PM.

Saturday: 11 AM–3 PM. Confirm holiday changes before visiting.

Animal Control

Animal Control operates separately from the shelter.

For animal-control complaints, use 336-249-0131.

Use the shelter

For adoption, reclaim, lost/found checks, surrender questions, rescue partners and shelter programs, call or visit the Lexington shelter during public hours.

Use Animal Control

Animal Control handles domestic dogs running at large, stray animals, rabies control and animal cruelty investigations.

Use urgent help

After-hours emergency calls include vicious animals, severe animal attacks, sick or strange-acting animals and certain law-enforcement situations.

Stray, injured and unwanted animals

The shelter is the main county sheltering location for animals that are stray, brought in by the public, surrendered by owners or otherwise in need of temporary care.

Dogs, cats and small animals

Adoptable animals can remain available until adopted or until an illness, injury or behavior concern changes their adoption status.

Reclaim and reunification

Owners must visit during business hours, identify the animal and provide required proof before reclaiming a pet.

Prepare these answers

• Whether you want a dog, cat or other animal.
• The specific animal name, if you have one in mind.
• Emergency contact information.
• Whether you own, rent, live with parents, rent-to-own or live in military housing.
• Landlord, parent or apartment contact information if applicable.
• Household adults, children and children’s ages.
• Where the pet will live: inside, outside or both.
• Fence status and how the pet will be contained if there is no fence.
• Current pet details, including sex and where they are kept.

Application mistakes to avoid

• Do not assume the application holds the animal.
• Do not use an email or phone number you do not check.
• Do not hide rental restrictions, pet limits or landlord rules.
• Do not say “outside only” unless you have a safe, legal and humane setup.
• Do not skip current pet details or containment answers.
• Do not wait to call if the animal you want is highly adoptable.

If your pet is missing

• Call 336-357-0805 to report your missing pet.
• Visit the shelter regularly during business hours.
• Check current stray animals posted by the shelter.
• Post a public photo with your contact information in local lost/found pet groups.
• Update microchip registry phone and address details.
• Place a large yard sign so neighbors and drivers know the pet is missing.

If you found an animal

• Call the shelter to make a found-animal report at 336-357-0805.
• Bring the animal to the shelter or a nearby veterinary office for a microchip scan.
• Post a public found-pet notice with a photo and your contact information.
• Put a sign in your yard saying you found the animal.
• Ask anyone claiming the pet for proof of ownership.
• Keep the found animal separated from your own pets until health and ownership are clearer.

336-249-0131

Use this number for animal-control complaints about domesticated or wild animals and for routing through Emergency Communications.

County vs city

Davidson County Animal Control is listed Monday–Friday 8 AM–10 PM. Lexington City and Thomasville City Animal Control are listed Monday–Friday 8 AM–5 PM.

Health Department

For possible rabies exposure, Davidson County lists the Health Department at 336-242-2310.

Before surrendering

• Call 336-357-0805 before bringing an owned animal.
• Bring valid ID.
• Owners must live in Davidson County; the shelter says it cannot accept animals from other counties.
• Prepare medical records, vaccine records, behavior notes and bite history.
• Try responsible rehoming, rescue help, training help or temporary support first.

Important warning

• Once released, the animal becomes property of the shelter.
• The shelter warns an animal may be euthanized within 72 hours or less.
• Aggressive, feral, seriously injured, sick, vicious or wild animals are not adopted out.
• Such animals could be euthanized immediately.
• Do not hide behavior or medical information.

Local help

The county lists SNIP, 4 Paws Spay & Neuter Clinic in Lexington, P.A.L. and Humane Society of Davidson County as possible resources.

Regional clinics

Nearby options listed include Central Spay Neuter Clinic in Kernersville and several Greensboro-area clinics.

Questions to ask

Ask about eligibility, appointment wait time, rabies vaccine requirement, pain medication, e-collar, pregnancy/heat fees and transport rules.

Volunteer

Use the official How You Can Help page to learn current volunteer steps, applications and shelter needs before showing up.

Foster

Foster homes can help animals that need more time, socialization, medical recovery or a break from shelter stress.

Rescue partners

Rescues should email DCASrescue@gmail.com, submit the Rescue Partner Agreement, and include 501(c)(3) paperwork and adoption policy.

Photo ID

Bring valid ID for adoption, reclaim, surrender questions and official records.

Animal details

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

Rabies proof

For reclaim, bring a paper rabies certificate. A rabies tag alone is not enough.

Housing approval

If renting, 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.

Vet follow-up plan

Adopters should plan a veterinary check within five days after adoption.

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, loose stool or reduced appetite.
• Keep adoption, rabies, microchip and medical paperwork together.

Days 2–7

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

Arrive early

Adoption, reclaim and surrender questions take time. Do not arrive near closing.

Call first

Call 336-357-0805 before driving for one animal or bringing a found pet.

Use the right route

For animal-control complaints, use 336-249-0131 instead of only calling the shelter.

Before visiting

• Do not drive for one animal without checking availability first.
• Do not assume the adoption application reserves a specific pet.
• Do not arrive near closing for a full adoption or reclaim visit.
• Do not confuse shelter services with Animal Control response.
• Do not use this North Carolina guide for Davidson County, Tennessee.

Before adopting, reclaiming or surrendering

• Do not skip the five-day veterinary follow-up after adoption.
• Do not reclaim without paper rabies proof if you have it.
• Do not hide bite, illness, aggression or feral behavior when surrendering.
• Do not permanently rehome a found pet without proof and proper reporting.
• Do not handle a dangerous or strange-acting animal without calling for guidance.