Horry County Animal Shelter, Control & Adoption 2026
If you search for the “Horry County animal shelter,” the official county facility is the Horry County Animal Care Center (HCACC) at 1923 Industrial Park Road, Conway, SC 29526. It handles adoptions, lost and found animals, reclaims, selected owner surrenders, foster programs and community veterinary services while working with Horry County Police on animal-welfare matters.
There is one detail worth knowing before you make the drive: weekday public hours have a one-hour midday closure. And if you are hoping to adopt, current Horry County pricing makes dogs and cats fee-free—but the practical decision is still about finding an animal that fits your household, not simply taking home the first pet whose picture catches your eye.
Checked September 23, 2026
Address, shelter hours, adoption fees, reclaim and intake fees, clinic contact, county dispatch routing and Horry County rabies-reporting contacts were checked against current county and South Carolina public-health sources.
Horry County government facility
HCACC is a Horry County Government department under the county’s Public Safety structure. It is not a private rescue being presented here as a county agency.
Independent guide
Animal-Shelter.org is independent from Horry County Government. Use the county’s official pages for live pet availability, appointment openings and final same-day instructions.
What Do You Need From Horry County Animal Care Center?
The same building handles several very different situations. Starting with the right route saves time—especially when you are worried about a missing animal or trying to help a stray safely.
Horry County Animal Shelter & Adoption Hours 2026
Horry County’s current Animal Care Center page publishes public facility hours rather than a separate adoption-only schedule. For adoption visits, use these current public hours and check the pet’s online status before leaving home.
| Day / service | Current official hours | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Friday |
10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. |
The shelter closes for one hour from 12:30–1:30 p.m.. Do not arrive during the midday break expecting routine service. |
| Saturday | 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Saturday is a short public window. Arrive early enough to talk with staff rather than reaching the facility near closing. |
| Sunday | No routine public hours listed | Do not plan a routine adoption, reclaim or customer-service visit on Sunday without direct confirmation. |
| Public spay/neuter clinic |
Monday–Friday 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
Clinic services are by appointment only. Clinic phone: 843-915-5171. |
How to Adopt From Horry County Animal Care Center
HCACC’s current policy is simple on one important point: adoptions are first come, first served and the shelter does not hold an animal for a future visitor.
Check the live county pet list
Start on the official Pets page. Animals can move quickly through adoption, foster, reclaim or rescue, so a saved screenshot from yesterday is not enough.
Use the Apply Now option when available
The county’s live pet profiles provide an Apply Now route. Completing the online step does not override the shelter’s first-come policy or guarantee the animal will still be available when you arrive.
Visit during current public hours
Avoid the weekday 12:30–1:30 p.m. closure. Saturday service ends at 12:30 p.m.
Spend time thinking about fit
A fee-free adoption is wonderful, but it should not create pressure to rush. Ask what staff know about temperament, medical status, exercise needs and household compatibility.
Understand what medical care is already included
Current dog and cat adoptions include substantial shelter veterinary care such as sterilization, vaccines, testing, parasite prevention and a registered microchip.
Prepare for the first week at home
Plan food, a quiet decompression area, secure transport, routine veterinary follow-up and a gradual introduction to resident pets and family members.
Horry County Adoption Fees & What Is Included
The current county fee page lists dogs, puppies, cats and kittens at $0 adoption fee. That does not mean the animal leaves without veterinary preparation—the county lists several medical and identification services as part of those adoptions.
| Animal | Current fee | County-listed inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Puppies / dogs | $0 | Spay/neuter, core canine vaccines, rabies when age-appropriate, heartworm testing when applicable, deworming, prevention, microchip implant/registration and an offer of 30 days of pet health insurance. |
| Kittens / adult cats | $0 | Spay/neuter, FVRCP, rabies when age-appropriate, feline testing, deworming, flea prevention, microchip implant/registration and an offer of 30 days of pet health insurance. |
| Chickens / ducks / geese | $5 | The county states that testing, treatment and vaccination are not included for these animals. |
| Horses, cows & certain exotics | TBD | Pricing depends on the species, condition and veterinary care provided. Check the live county fee page. |
First Come, First Served — HCACC Does Not Hold Adoptable Pets
Online listing means available now
HCACC says that when an animal is listed as adoptable on the county website, it remains available for adoption.
No reservation hold
Current shelter policy says HCACC cannot hold an animal. Another qualified adopter may complete the adoption first.
Keep a second pet in mind
If your first choice goes home before you arrive, ask about other pets whose temperament and daily needs match your household. The disappointment is real, but another good match may be waiting.
Emergency & Important Horry County Animal Contacts
These contacts are intentionally separated by purpose. A shelter phone is not automatically an emergency line, and the county’s non-emergency dispatch number should not be labeled as 911.
| Contact | Number / route | Verified use |
|---|---|---|
| Horry County Animal Care Center | 843-915-5172 | Routine shelter, adoption, reclaim, intake and general Animal Care Center questions during public operations. |
| Horry County Non-Emergency Dispatch | 843-248-1520 | Horry County E911 specifically directs callers here to make an animal or noise complaint and for other non-emergency matters. |
| Emergency | 911 | Horry County says call or text 911 for genuine emergencies: situations involving saving a life, stopping a crime or reporting a fire. |
| SC DPH — Horry County Rabies / Animal Bite | 843-915-8801 | Horry County’s South Carolina Department of Public Health rabies/animal-incident office in Conway, Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| SC DPH After-Hours Rabies Reporting |
1-888-847-0902
Option 2 |
Nights, weekends and holidays for animal-bite or possible rabies-exposure reporting. |
| Animal Nuisance / Welfare Email | environmentalservices@horrycountysc.gov | Current HCACC directory route for animal nuisance and welfare inquiries. For time-sensitive field response, use the appropriate phone/dispatch route instead. |
Lost or Found a Pet in Horry County?
A missing pet can make every minute feel longer. The county’s newer microchip-scanner network gives residents another local option before every found animal has to be transported to Conway.
If your pet is missing
- Check the current HCACC online pet listings repeatedly.
- File a lost-pet report with Horry County Animal Care Center.
- Post a clear recent photo in neighborhood and local lost-pet groups.
- Search near the last-seen location, especially quiet hiding places for frightened cats and dogs.
- Keep microchip registration and phone details current.
- Check nearby jurisdiction shelters if the pet could have crossed city or county service boundaries.
If you found a pet
- Check safely for a visible tag or license.
- Use one of Horry County’s public microchip scanning stations when that can be done safely.
- Post the found animal in appropriate neighborhood channels.
- Contact HCACC when you need shelter/intake guidance.
- If the animal appears hurt or dangerous, do not put yourself at risk trying to capture it; contact the appropriate authority.
Horry County’s 24/7 Pet Microchip Scanning Stations
This is one of the most useful local details on the page: Horry County launched 10 public pet microchip scanning stations around the county in partnership with Parks and Recreation.
Accessible around the clock
The county says the scanners are accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including in rain or shine conditions.
Scan before transporting
A successful scan can help identify the pet’s registered owner and may avoid an unnecessary shelter intake.
Check the official location list
The county publishes the current scanner locations across Horry County. Use the official page before traveling to one because public-service locations can change over time.
View the official Horry County microchip scanning station information .
Horry County Animal Control & Field Complaints
Horry County’s system is a partnership between the Animal Care Center, Horry County Police and E911 dispatch—not a single shelter desk that handles every field call.
Routine animal complaint
County E911 says to call 843-248-1520 for a non-emergency animal or noise complaint.
Genuine emergency
Use 911 for a true emergency involving immediate danger, not because an animal-control office is closed.
Check jurisdiction
An address inside a municipality may use a different law-enforcement or animal-service route. Give dispatch the exact location rather than only a neighborhood name.
Stray Intake & Owner Surrender
HCACC says it accepts stray pets when possible, but capacity matters. If the shelter is full, staff may offer alternatives rather than a normal intake.
| Intake type | Current fee | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Stray animal drop-off |
$10 per animal or $25 per litter |
Current fee page says Monday through Saturday and instructs residents to call 843-915-5172 to schedule. |
| Owner surrender |
$10 per animal or $25 per litter |
Bring ID and documentation such as photographs, veterinary records or other proof of ownership. |
Reclaiming Your Pet: Current Horry County Fees
Horry County changed reclaim pricing in 2025 to encourage microchipping and spay/neuter. These fees can be very different depending on whether the animal is already sterilized.
| Situation | Current listed fee | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Microchipped & spayed/neutered small pet | $25 | Reduced reclaim fee for qualifying dogs/cats. |
| Intact dog/cat — first offense | $125 | County also allows owners to elect shelter spay/neuter before reclaim in order to avoid the larger intact-pet fee. |
| Intact dog/cat — second offense | $325 | Current county reclaim schedule. |
| Intact dog/cat — third offense | $500 | Current county reclaim schedule. |
| Small-animal housing | $7 per day | Additional care/treatment charges may apply. |
| Rabies vaccine when required | $15 | Pets over four months must have proof of current rabies vaccination; HCACC can provide the vaccine at reclaim when needed. |
Horry County Animal Care Center Public Veterinary Clinic
HCACC operates a county public spay/neuter and basic veterinary service program from Building #2 at 1923 Industrial Park Road. The current county application lists the clinic as appointment only.
Published clinic hours
Monday–Friday, 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., by appointment only.
Clinic email
Horry County Public Spay/Neuter Clinic Prices
The current county public spay/neuter application publishes both bundled packages and individual services. Additional charges can apply in certain surgical situations, so treat these as the county’s published base prices—not a guarantee of the final bill for every pet.
Current package prices
| Package | Published price | Included basics |
|---|---|---|
|
Puppy / Kitten Package #1 8–20 weeks |
$100 | Four distemper vaccines, rabies vaccine, 24PetWatch microchip and spay/neuter surgery. |
|
Kitten Package #2 5 months–1 year |
$90 | Two distemper vaccines, rabies vaccine, microchip and spay/neuter surgery. |
|
Puppy Package #2 5 months–1 year |
$135 | Two distemper vaccines, rabies vaccine, microchip and spay/neuter surgery. |
| Silver Package — Felines | $105 | Distemper, rabies, microchip, feline testing, one month of prevention and spay/neuter. |
| Silver Package — Dogs under 40 lb | $145 | Distemper, rabies, microchip, heartworm testing, one month of prevention and surgery. |
| Gold Package — Dogs over 40 lb | $190 | Distemper, rabies, microchip, heartworm testing, prevention and spay/neuter. |
Common a-la-carte prices
| Service | Published price |
|---|---|
| Small canine spay/neuter | $100 |
| Large canine spay/neuter — over 40 lb | $160 |
| Feline spay | $60 |
| Feline neuter | $30 |
| 24PetWatch microchip & registration | $20 |
| Heartworm / Feline Triple test | $35 |
| DAPP / FVRCP / Bordetella vaccine | $15 each |
| 1-year rabies vaccine | $15 |
| Nail trim | $10 |
Who Runs HCACC? What About the Veterinarian’s Name?
Crystal Buckingham — Animal Care Center leadership
Horry County’s FY2026 organizational structure identifies Crystal Buckingham for the Animal Care Center, and county public information has identified Captain Buckingham as the Center’s Executive Director.
This is an administrative/department leadership role, not a veterinarian credential.
No current individual veterinarian name published
The current public clinic application refers to veterinary staff but does not publish a current individual veterinarian or D.V.M. name for community appointments.
Rather than guess, this guide leaves the doctor field blank. Ask the clinic which veterinarian will handle your pet when scheduling or checking in.
Animal Bites & Rabies Reporting in Horry County
South Carolina treats animal-bite reporting as a public-health issue, not just a shelter matter. Recent 2026 DPH reporting also confirms rabies remains an active concern in Horry County, so bite and exposure guidance should be handled seriously without turning every animal encounter into panic.
Bite or scratch
If a wild, stray or unvaccinated animal bites or scratches you, clean the wound and contact an appropriate healthcare provider. South Carolina DPH requires animal-bite reporting.
Horry County daytime reporting
DPH Conway office: 843-915-8801, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Nights / weekends / holidays
Call 1-888-847-0902 and select option 2.
Horry County Foster Programs: More Than One Way to Help
Not everyone is ready for a permanent adoption today. HCACC’s foster programs make room for a middle ground—sometimes a day, sometimes a weekend, sometimes a trial that turns into home.
Foster to Adopt
A one-week test run for someone considering adoption.
Foster for Adoption
Care for a shelter pet at home while the animal waits for a permanent adopter.
Doggy Sleep Away
A weekend sleepover away from the shelter environment.
Doggy Day Out
Spend a day with an available dog, giving the pet a break from kennel stress and staff more real-world observations.
For current foster availability, call 843-915-5172 or contact the shelter through its current official page.
What to Bring Before You Visit
Adoption visit
- Check the pet’s live profile again before leaving home.
- Bring valid identification.
- Plan secure transport for a dog, cat or other adopted animal.
- Write down questions about behavior, medical notes and household fit.
- Keep a second potential pet in mind because HCACC cannot hold animals.
Reclaim, surrender or clinic visit
- Bring government-issued ID.
- Bring ownership proof such as photographs or veterinary records when required for reclaim/surrender.
- Bring current vaccine/testing records for clinic surgery when applicable.
- Confirm appointment time before a clinic or intake visit.
- Bring an appropriate leash or carrier for safe handling.
Map: Horry County Animal Care Center
Official shelter address: 1923 Industrial Park Road, Conway, SC 29526 . The public clinic is listed at the same campus in Building #2.
Official Horry County & South Carolina Resources
Live pet status, county fees, capacity and appointments can change. Use these authoritative pages for the final answer before acting.
Horry County Animal Shelter FAQ
What is the official Horry County animal shelter?
The official county facility is Horry County Animal Care Center at 1923 Industrial Park Road in Conway, South Carolina.
What is the Horry County Animal Care Center phone number?
The main shelter number is 843-915-5172. The public clinic has a separate number: 843-915-5171.
What are Horry County Animal Care Center hours?
Current public hours are Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1:30–4:30 p.m., plus Saturday from 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Is there a midday closure?
Yes. On weekdays the current schedule has a one-hour closure from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog from Horry County?
The current county fee page lists puppies and dogs at a $0 adoption fee. Included care varies by age but generally includes spay/neuter, vaccines, testing, parasite prevention and microchip registration.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat?
The current county fee page lists kittens and adult cats at a $0 adoption fee, with shelter medical and microchip services included as described by the county.
Can HCACC hold an adoptable animal for me?
No. Current HCACC policy says adoptions are first come, first served and the shelter cannot hold an animal.
What number do I call for a Horry County animal complaint?
Horry County E911 says to use the non-emergency line, 843-248-1520, for an animal or noise complaint. Call 911 only for genuine emergencies.
What is the Horry County rabies reporting number?
South Carolina DPH lists 843-915-8801 for the Horry County Conway office during weekday business hours. Nights, weekends and holidays use 1-888-847-0902, option 2.
Does Horry County offer low-cost spay and neuter?
Yes. HCACC operates an appointment-only public clinic in Building #2 at the Industrial Park Road campus. The clinic number is 843-915-5171 and current county materials publish several spay/neuter packages and individual-service prices.
Who is the veterinarian at Horry County Animal Care Center?
The current public clinic material reviewed for this guide does not publish a current individual veterinarian’s name. Horry County’s organization structure identifies Crystal Buckingham as the Animal Care Center department leader, but that is not presented as a veterinarian credential.
Does Horry County have public microchip scanners?
Yes. Horry County announced 10 public microchip scanning stations around the county that are accessible 24/7, 365 days a year. Check the current county page for station locations.
What are the owner-surrender and stray-drop-off fees?
The current county fee page lists $10 per animal or $25 per litter for both stray-animal drop-off and owner surrender. Call 843-915-5172 to confirm intake capacity and scheduling.
What foster programs does HCACC offer?
Horry County has published four ongoing options: Foster to Adopt, Foster for Adoption, Doggy Sleep Away and Doggy Day Out.
Is Animal-Shelter.org the official Horry County website?
No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent informational guide. The official Animal Care Center information is published by Horry County Government.
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.