Hoke County Animal Shelter, Control & Adoption 2026
Hoke County Animal Control & Shelter serves county residents from 353 C.C. Steele Road in Raeford, North Carolina. Whether you are hoping to bring home a dog, trying to find a missing cat, reporting a bite, or dealing with a loose animal, the right phone number and the right timing can save a frustrating trip.
Fast rule: call the shelter at 910-875-4827 for adoption, shelter and appointment questions. For Animal Control issues, the county lists 910-875-4148. For an after-hours emergency that cannot wait, the county’s official hours page directs residents to 911.
Verified September 16, 2026
Shelter contact information, adoption fees, bite reporting, Animal Control routing, rabies rules, current leadership and linked veterinary resources were checked against Hoke County or other first-party official sources.
One hours detail needs a call
Hoke County’s current indexed Animal Control schedule does not provide a complete, consistent weekday listing. Rather than guess, this guide tells you when to call 910-875-4148 for same-day field-service coverage.
County and Raeford are not always identical
Hoke County Emergency Communications lists Hoke County Animal Control and Raeford Animal Control as separate agencies. The exact incident location matters when deciding who responds.
What Do You Need Help With?
Hoke County separates shelter business from field Animal Control. Starting with the correct route can keep an adoption visit, stray report or bite complaint from bouncing between departments.
Hoke County Animal Shelter Hours 2026
The dedicated Hoke County Hours of Operation page is the best current county source for public shelter hours.
| Service | Officially published timing | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Adoptions |
Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
Browse current animals first, then visit during the adoption window. |
| Animal drop-off |
Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
Owner surrender has county-residency requirements. See the surrender section below. |
| Owner pickup / reclaim |
Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
Call first for required proof and exact charges. |
| Animal Control | Call to confirm | The current official indexed schedule is incomplete/ inconsistent for all weekdays. Call 910-875-4148 for same-day non-emergency coverage. |
| After-hours emergency | After Animal Control hours | The county’s official Hours page says: call 911 after hours for emergencies only. |
How Adoption Works at Hoke County Animal Shelter
Choosing a shelter pet is more than paperwork. You are committing to the ordinary mornings, unexpected vet bills, muddy paws and quiet companionship that come after the first exciting day. Hoke County’s process is straightforward, but there is one important post-adoption veterinary step.
Browse current animals
Check Hoke County’s official Adoptable Pets page before visiting, then meet available animals during normal adoption hours.
Spend time choosing the right pet
Think beyond appearance. Ask what staff know about behavior, age, activity level and anything that could affect your household.
Complete the adoption paperwork
Once you choose an animal, shelter staff complete the adoption paperwork with you.
Take your pet home the same day
The county says adopters can take the newly adopted animal home on adoption day.
Keep the scheduled veterinary appointment
Shelter staff arrange an appointment with a local veterinarian for spay/neuter, microchip and rabies vaccination. The adopter is responsible for taking the pet to the veterinarian on the surgery morning.
Arrange your own health check
Hoke County recommends taking the adopted pet to your own veterinarian for a health check after adoption.
Hoke County Animal Shelter Adoption & Service Fees
These are the amounts published on Hoke County’s current Adoption Procedures page. Confirm the exact amount before payment because county fees can change.
| Service | Current published fee | What the county says |
|---|---|---|
| Dog adoption | $150 | Includes spay/neuter, microchip and rabies vaccination. |
| Cat adoption | $125 | Includes spay/neuter, microchip and rabies vaccination. |
| Boarding | $15 daily | Ask the shelter how this applies to your specific reclaim. |
| Animal Control pickup | $40 | Current Adoption Procedures page lists a $40 pickup fee. |
| Public euthanasia | $40 | Call first for current procedure and appointment information. |
| Microchip | $40 | Shelter says to call for an appointment. |
| Rabies vaccination | $18 | Shelter says to call for an appointment. |
Emergency & Important Hoke County Contacts
These numbers are deliberately separated by purpose. A shelter phone is not a 911 line, and a police number should not replace the normal Animal Control route for routine animal issues.
| Contact | Number | Verified purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Hoke County Animal Shelter | 910-875-4827 | Shelter, adoption, current-animal and facility questions. |
| Hoke County Animal Control | 910-875-4148 | Strays, dangerous animals, bite reports and routine Hoke County Animal Control issues. |
| Emergency | 911 | Emergency response. Hoke County specifically directs callers to 911 for after-hours Animal Control emergencies only. |
| Hoke County Sheriff’s Office | 910-875-5111 | Sheriff’s Office main / non-emergency route. It is not the routine Animal Control complaint number. |
| Hoke County Emergency Communications | 910-875-2135 | 24/7 Raeford/Hoke County communications center. County FAQ says this line may be used when you only need to ask a question and do not need an emergency response. |
| NC Wildlife Resources Commission | 919-707-0010 | Hoke County’s Animal Shelter FAQ directs residents with wildlife problems to this state wildlife number. |
Animal Bites, Quarantine & Rabies Reporting
A bite is not something to leave for later. Hoke County’s official instructions tell residents to obtain necessary medical treatment and contact Animal Control.
Get medical care when needed
Hoke County’s bite instructions say to seek necessary medical treatment for the victim.
Report the bite to Animal Control
Call 910-875-4148. Officers can contain the animal, create the report, explain procedures and issue citations where necessary.
Expect a 10-day observation period for pet bite animals
Hoke County says identified pet animals that bite are quarantined for 10 days for observation.
Home quarantine may be possible
A currently rabies-vaccinated animal that has not been designated dangerous may be eligible for home quarantine.
Unvaccinated or ownerless animals may be held elsewhere
The county says an unvaccinated animal, or one whose owner cannot be found, may be quarantined at the county shelter or by a licensed veterinarian at the Animal Control Officer’s discretion.
Lost or Found Pet in Hoke County
If your pet is missing
- Submit Hoke County’s official Lost & Found Animals form.
- Include the exact last-seen location and date.
- Add markings, collar information and microchip details.
- Upload a clear recent photo if you have one.
- Check the county’s current shelter-pet listings repeatedly.
- Call the shelter if you think you have found a match.
If you found an animal
- Record the exact place and date where the animal was found.
- Do not approach an animal that appears aggressive.
- For a stray needing Animal Control response, call 910-875-4148.
- Hoke County says animals picked up by county Animal Control are taken to Hoke County Animal Shelter.
- Add collar, tag, microchip and photo information to the county Lost & Found form whenever possible.
Owner Surrender: Hoke County Residents Only
Giving up a pet can be an emotional decision. If you have reached that point, calling before loading the animal into the car can prevent an unnecessary trip.
County residency is required
Hoke County says the shelter accepts owner-surrendered animals from Hoke County residents. It does not accept animals from outside the county.
Bring proof of residence
The county’s reporting guidance tells surrendering owners to provide proof of Hoke County residence.
Bring veterinary records
If you have vaccination, medication or other veterinary records, bring them with the animal.
What Hoke County Animal Control Prioritizes
Hoke County describes Animal Control as a public-safety service, not simply an animal pickup operation.
Priority calls
Dangerous animals, dog bites and animals in immediate distress are listed as higher-priority responses.
Stray animals
Report a stray online or call 910-875-4148. Have the animal’s location and description ready.
Barking complaints
Hoke County recommends first speaking with the neighbor when reasonable. If the problem continues, call Animal Control while the dog is actually barking.
Wildlife Problems in Hoke County
Hoke County’s shelter FAQ does not route ordinary wildlife problems to the shelter. It directs residents to the North Carolina wildlife authority.
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
For wildlife problems, Hoke County’s official FAQ lists 919-707-0010. Do not assume a wildlife situation should be handled like a routine stray dog or cat complaint.
Hoke County Rabies & Pet-License Rules
No county dog/cat license
Hoke County’s current shelter FAQ says a separate dog/cat license is not required in the county.
Rabies vaccination from 4 months
Dogs and cats four months of age and older must have a current rabies vaccination.
Rabies tag matters
The county FAQ says the pet must wear its rabies vaccination tag, and the county ordinance authorizes enforcement for animals lacking current vaccination evidence.
Veterinary Care Included With Hoke County Adoption
Hoke County Animal Shelter is not an in-house veterinary clinic, but its adoption fee includes important preventive procedures that are arranged through local veterinarians.
Spay or neuter
The county states that adopted and rescued shelter animals will be spayed or neutered under the adoption contract.
Microchip
Microchipping is included in the current dog and cat adoption fee.
Rabies vaccination
The current adoption fee also includes rabies vaccination.
County-Linked Veterinary Resource Near Hoke County
Hoke County’s Animal Shelter section links to the Spay Neuter Veterinary Clinic of the Sandhills as a spay/neuter resource. It is a separate veterinary organization in Fayetteville— not the Hoke County Animal Shelter’s in-house clinic and not guaranteed to be the veterinarian assigned to an adoption.
Spay Neuter Veterinary Clinic of the Sandhills
2709 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28303
Phone:
910-400-7682
Current clinic hours
The clinic’s current official website lists Monday–Thursday, 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Wellness appointment booking
The clinic currently requires a $25 payment to book a wellness appointment. That payment covers the physical exam when the scheduled appointment is kept.
Dr. Cindy Eaton
The clinic’s official history identifies Dr. Cindy Eaton as the clinic owner. She joined the organization in 2008 and took ownership in 2014.
Surgery booking
The clinic states that a surgical appointment requires payment of the full surgery price and a rabies vaccine charge when needed at booking. Check its live scheduler for the current procedure price.
Hoke County Animal Shelter Leadership
Kristi Pylant — Director
Hoke County’s current staff directory identifies Kristi Pylant as Director of the Animal Shelter and lists 910-875-4827 with the position.
This page does not reproduce the email shown in one county directory entry because the displayed email text does not clearly match the director’s name. Calling the verified shelter number avoids publishing a potentially mismatched address.
Raeford City Limits vs Hoke County Animal Control
This distinction is easy to miss because the county shelter itself has a Raeford mailing location.
Hoke County Animal Control
Hoke County Emergency Communications lists Hoke County Animal Control as one of the agencies it serves. The county’s published Animal Control number is 910-875-4148.
Raeford Animal Control
The same county communications page separately identifies Raeford Animal Control as a division of the Raeford Police Department. If the incident is inside incorporated Raeford and you are unsure which agency should respond, confirm jurisdiction rather than assuming the county line applies.
Map: Hoke County Animal Shelter
Shelter address: 353 C.C. Steele Road, Raeford, NC 28376 . Call before a long drive when your visit depends on intake, reclaim, an appointment or same-day Animal Control coverage.
Official Hoke County Animal Resources
Use these pages for live status, forms and final same-day verification.
Hoke County Animal Shelter FAQ
Where is Hoke County Animal Shelter?
The shelter is at 353 C.C. Steele Road, Raeford, NC 28376.
What is the Hoke County Animal Shelter phone number?
The verified shelter phone number is 910-875-4827. Hoke County Animal Control uses 910-875-4148.
What are Hoke County Animal Shelter adoption hours?
The current dedicated county hours page lists adoptions Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog?
Hoke County currently lists dog adoption at $150. The county says this includes spay/neuter, microchip and rabies vaccination.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat?
Hoke County currently lists cat adoption at $125, including spay/neuter, microchip and rabies vaccination.
Can I take my adopted pet home the same day?
Yes. The county says an adopter may take the pet home on adoption day, but the adopter is responsible for taking the animal to the local veterinarian on the scheduled surgery morning.
Does Hoke County Animal Shelter have a veterinarian on staff?
No. Hoke County’s current FAQ says the shelter does not have a veterinarian on staff, although it can provide contacts for local veterinarians.
How do I report an animal bite?
Hoke County directs residents to seek necessary medical care and contact Animal Control at 910-875-4148.
How long is a bite animal quarantined?
The county says pet animals identified as having bitten are quarantined for a 10-day observation period.
Do dogs and cats need a Hoke County license?
Hoke County’s current shelter FAQ says no separate dog/cat license is required, but dogs and cats four months of age and older must have a rabies vaccination and the pet must wear its rabies tag.
Who should I call about wildlife?
Hoke County’s shelter FAQ directs wildlife questions to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission at 919-707-0010.
Can someone outside Hoke County surrender a pet there?
The county’s owner-surrender instructions say the shelter accepts owner-surrendered animals from Hoke County residents and does not accept animals from outside Hoke County.
What number do I call for an after-hours animal emergency?
Hoke County’s official shelter-hours page directs callers to 911 after Animal Control hours for emergencies only.
Is Animal-Shelter.org the official Hoke County website?
No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent informational guide. Use Hoke County’s official website for live animal availability, current fees, forms and final same-day instructions.
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.