Onslow County Animal Shelter, Adoption & Pets 2026

Address

244 Georgetown Road, Jacksonville, NC 28540.

Use the map below for directions and check hours before leaving.

Phone numbers

Animal Control: 910-455-0182, option 1.

Shelter Services: 910-937-1164.

Adoption visits

Adoptions are walk-in only and no appointment is required.

Pets are first come, first served, so confirm before driving for one animal.

Reclaim / surrender

Call 910-937-1164 to schedule an appointment for reclaim or surrender.

Do not arrive with a surrender animal without following the official process.

Adult dogs

Adult dogs over 4 months are listed at $140.

Ask about spay/neuter status, vaccines, microchip, medical notes and whether the dog is ready to leave the same day.

Puppies

Puppies under 4 months are listed at $200.

Puppies need training, supervision, vaccination follow-up, chewing management and house-training time.

Cats and kittens

Cats and kittens are listed at $60.

Bring a secure carrier and prepare a quiet starter room before bringing the cat home.

If your pet is missing

• Check the official Find My Lost Pet page and bookmark it.
• File a lost pet report with a clear photo and identifying details.
• Check daily because new pets can appear after your first search.
• Bring proof of ownership: home photos, vaccination records, microchip records, breeder certificate or other documents.
• Bring a valid ID and be ready for applicable reclaim fees.
• Update your microchip company if your phone number changed.

If you found a pet

• Submit a lost/found pet report with a photo and location found.
• Do not permanently rehome a found pet without following official lost/found steps.
• Call Animal Control if the animal is injured, aggressive, in traffic or unsafe to handle.
• Ask whether the animal should be transported or handled by Animal Control.
• Check tags, ask nearby neighbors and seek a microchip scan when safe.

Main route

Call 910-455-0182, option 1, for Animal Control assistance.

Shelter questions

Call 910-937-1164 for shelter questions, appointments, reclaim, surrender and general shelter services.

Immediate danger

Use emergency services for active attacks, serious bites, traffic hazards or immediate public-safety danger.

Before surrendering

• Fill out the official surrender waitlist form first.
• Ask about rehoming resources and community pet rehoming options.
• Ask about Petcademy behavior support if the issue is minor behavior trouble.
• Prepare valid ID, proof of residency, medical records if available and payment.
• Be honest about bite history, medical needs, medications, fear, anxiety and house-training.

Listed surrender fees

• With proof of ownership and fixed: $10.
• With proof of ownership and not fixed: $20.
• Without proof of ownership: $40.
• Pets from the same litter: $30 for the whole litter.
• Fees and rules should be confirmed before your appointment.

Thursday rabies clinic

A walk-in rabies clinic is listed every Thursday from 1 PM to 4 PM.

Cost is listed as $10 per animal.

Clinic requirements

Animals must be at least 4 months old and secured in a crate or on a leash.

The county lists a limit of three animals per visit.

Community Animal Clinic

The Community Animal Clinic is by appointment only and is not a full-service veterinary hospital.

The listed clinic phone is 910-937-1163.

What TNVR means

TNVR means cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated and returned to their community so the population stabilizes and reduces over time.

Feral cat package

The Community Animal Clinic lists a $10 feral cat package including sterilization, rabies vaccine, FVCRP vaccine and ear tip.

All cats must be in a live, humane trap.

If you find kittens

If kittens are 8 weeks or younger and not sick or injured, Onslow County guidance says to look for mom or a nest nearby and wait because mom is often the best chance for survival.

Foster a pet

• Foster homes may care for puppies, kittens, cats and dogs.
• Onslow County says supplies and basic medical care are provided for foster animals.
• After applying, watch for a welcome email within 24–48 hours.
• Call 910-937-1164 if you have foster questions.

Volunteer

• Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.
• Volunteers 18 and older may be subject to a background check.
• Under-18 prospective volunteers must submit a non-family letter of recommendation.
• Potential volunteers attend a 45-minute orientation after application review.

Photo ID

Bring a valid ID for adoption, reclaim, surrender appointment or rabies clinic needs.

Housing approval

If renting, living on base, or under HOA rules, confirm pet approval, breed/size restrictions, deposits and pet count limits before adoption.

Payment method

Bring payment for adoption, reclaim, rabies clinic or surrender fees when applicable.

Carrier

Bring a secure carrier for cats, kittens or small pets. Loose animals in cars are unsafe.

Leash / crate plan

Prepare safe restraint for dogs. Plan slow introductions at home instead of rushing to busy places.

Proof of ownership

For reclaim, bring home photos, vaccination records, microchip details, breeder certificate, vet records and ID.

First 24 hours

• Use a quiet starter room or calm decompression space.
• Do not introduce every family member, neighbor and pet immediately.
• Keep cats indoors and give them a litter box, food, water and hiding place.
• Keep dogs leashed or safely contained until they know the home.
• Expect stress signs such as hiding, pacing, whining, barking or reduced appetite.

Days 2–7

• Set a routine for food, potty breaks, walks and rest.
• Schedule a veterinary follow-up if recommended.
• Introduce resident pets slowly and with supervision.
• Watch for coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, limping or refusal to eat.
• Ask for training or behavior help early if problems appear.

Arrive early

Animal interactions end before closing, so leave enough time for questions and paperwork.

Call for appointments

Reclaim and surrender require appointment scheduling. Do not assume walk-in service for those needs.

Check pet availability

Adoptable pet listings are live, but availability can change quickly.

Before visiting

• Do not use admin hours as public adoption hours.
• Do not arrive after animal interaction cutoff expecting a meet-and-greet.
• Do not assume the pet you saw online is still available.
• Do not check adoptable pets only if your animal is lost; use the lost-pet page.
• Do not bring a surrender animal without an appointment.

Before adopting or reporting

• Do not adopt without checking housing rules, base rules or landlord approval.
• Do not forget a carrier or safe dog transport plan.
• Do not call the shelter line for field emergencies when Animal Control or 911 is the correct route.
• Do not handle injured, aggressive or traffic-endangered animals if unsafe.
• Do not remove outdoor cat colonies without understanding TNVR guidance.