Onslow County Animal Shelter Adoption Hours, Fees, Lost Pets, Rabies Clinic, Surrender & Animal Control Help
Use official Onslow County Animal Services resources to check shelter and adoption hours, view adoptable dogs, cats and small animals, understand adoption fees, reclaim a lost pet, report a lost or found animal, schedule reclaim or surrender appointments, use the Thursday rabies vaccine clinic, contact animal control, learn outdoor cat options, foster, volunteer, donate, and avoid confusing the county shelter with private rescues or third-party pet listings.
If you are searching for onslow county animal shelter, choose the task closest to what you need. This finder points users to the correct official Onslow County Animal Services route for adoption, hours, fees, lost pets, found pets, reclaim, owner surrender, animal control, rabies vaccine clinic, fostering, volunteering and outdoor cat help.
Choose one option. The official action card below updates for adoption, hours, fees, lost pets, found pets, surrender, animal control and rabies vaccine help.
🐶 Adopt a pet — start with official Onslow County adoptable animal listings
Use this for: dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, rabbits, birds, small mammals and barnyard animals listed through Onslow County Animal Services.
Best official path: view adoptable animals, check current adoption hours, then visit during walk-in adoption hours. No adoption appointment is required.
Before you go: animal interactions end 30 minutes before closing, so do not arrive at the last minute for a meet-and-greet.
Onslow County Animal Shelter Quick Facts Before You Visit
Onslow County Animal Services is the official county animal shelter and animal-control agency for Onslow County, North Carolina. The shelter is located at 244 Georgetown Road, Jacksonville, NC 28540. The main Animal Control phone number is 910-455-0182, and the Animal Shelter Services number is 910-937-1164.
The department provides animal control assistance, animal shelter services, adoptable pet listings, lost pet reclaim support, lost/found pet reporting, surrender appointments, fostering, volunteering, rabies vaccination clinics, outdoor cat resources and community animal-care education.
What This Onslow County Animal Shelter Guide Covers
Onslow County Animal Services Hours, Address, Public Entry Time and Contact Numbers
Onslow County Animal Services is located at 244 Georgetown Road, Jacksonville, NC 28540. The county lists Animal Control at 910-455-0182, option 1, and Animal Shelter Services at 910-937-1164. The fax number is 910-989-5798. Emergency situations should use 911.
Animal Shelter administrative hours are Sunday and Monday closed, Tuesday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM. Phone and email inquiries are answered during administrative hours. The shelter facility is not open to the public until 12 PM Tuesday-Friday and 10 AM Saturday.
244 Georgetown Road, Jacksonville, NC 28540
Use this location for adoption visits, reclaim appointments, surrender appointments, rabies clinic visits and official shelter services.
Animal Control: 910-455-0182, option 1
Animal Shelter Services: 910-937-1164
Emergency: 911
Tuesday-Friday: 8 AM to 5 PM.
Saturday: 10 AM to 4 PM.
Sunday & Monday: closed.
Tuesday-Friday: 12 PM to 5:30 PM.
Saturday: 10 AM to 4 PM.
Adoptions are walk-in only. No appointment is required.
How to Adopt a Dog, Cat or Small Pet From Onslow County Animal Shelter
Onslow County Animal Services allows walk-in adoptions during shelter and adoption hours. No adoption appointment is required. The best path is to view the official adoptable pets page first, confirm the pet is still available if you are focused on one animal, then visit during public adoption hours.
Start with the official adoptable pets page
Use Onslow County’s official adoptable pet listings to view available animals and basic information before driving to the shelter.
Visit during walk-in adoption hours
Adoptions are walk-in only and do not require an appointment. Visit Tuesday-Friday from 12 PM to 5:30 PM or Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Arrive before animal interactions close
Animal interactions end 30 minutes before closing, so arrive well before 5 PM on weekdays and before 3:30 PM on Saturday.
Ask what is included in the adoption fee
For dogs and cats, Onslow County lists included items such as deworming, vaccinations, microchip, rabies vaccine when age eligible, heartworm testing and spay/neuter-related care.
Prepare for the first week at home
Bring safe transport, ID, payment method, leash or carrier, home setup, food plan, microchip update plan and a veterinary follow-up plan.
Onslow County Animal Shelter Adoption Fees for Dogs, Puppies, Cats and Small Animals
Onslow County’s official adoption fee page lists dogs over 6 months at $140, puppies under 6 months at $195 and all cats at $50. For dogs and cats, the fee includes items such as initial deworming and vaccinations, microchip, heartworm test, rabies vaccine for animals over four months of age and spay/neuter-related care. The official page also lists a cardboard cat carrier among included items.
Small mammal, rodent and barnyard animal adoption fees are listed separately. Chickens or fowl are listed at $5. Non-poultry birds are listed at $25. Guinea pigs and small rodents are listed at $15. Rabbits are listed at $25. Ferrets are listed at $50. Pot belly pigs are listed at $25. Goats and horses are listed at $50.
Dogs over 6 months: $140.
Ask the shelter about current medical status and pickup timing.
Puppies under 6 months: $195.
Puppy availability can move quickly, so check official listings first.
All cats: $50.
Ask what records, carrier and vaccination details apply to that cat.
Rabbits: $25.
Guinea pigs & small rodents: $15.
Ferrets: $50.
Chickens/Fowl: $5.
Birds, non-poultry: $25.
Pot belly pigs: $25.
Goats: $50.
Horses: $50.
Call before assuming large animals are currently available.
Before paying an adoption fee
- Confirm the animal is still available.
- Ask whether the animal is ready to go home the same day.
- Ask what vaccines, microchip, rabies vaccine and spay/neuter items are included.
- Ask whether any extra carrier, leash, medication or follow-up cost applies.
- Budget beyond the adoption fee for food, preventives, litter, grooming, training and emergency care.
How to View Onslow County Adoptable Dogs, Cats and Other Pets Online
Onslow County links users to official adoptable animal listings and also shares available pets through its official Animal Services channels. Use the official county adoptable pets page first because third-party listings and social media shares may lag behind current shelter status.
Online listings are useful, but they are not a guarantee. A dog, cat, rabbit, bird, small mammal or barnyard animal may be adopted, reclaimed, transferred, placed on hold, updated medically or removed from the list after a user sees the listing.
Use Official Listings First
Start from Onslow County’s official adoptable pet page before trusting screenshots or old social posts.
Official inventory firstCall for One Specific Pet
Call 910-937-1164 if you are driving for one specific animal shown online.
Avoid wasted tripsLost Pet in Onslow County? Reclaim Requirements, Fees and Shelter Hours
If your pet is at Onslow County Animal Services, the county says the goal is to get it back to you as soon as possible. To reclaim a pet, bring proof of ownership, proof of current rabies vaccination if available, a valid form of identification, and money for associated fees.
Proof of ownership can include photos in your home or on your property, vaccination records with your information and the pet’s description, or a breeder’s certificate with your information and the pet’s description. If your pet is at the shelter, call 910-455-0182 and/or come during reclaim hours.
Animal Control: 910-455-0182
Shelter Services: 910-937-1164
Tuesday-Friday: 12 PM to 5:30 PM.
Saturday: 10 AM to 4 PM.
Bring ownership proof, valid ID, rabies vaccination proof if available and fee payment.
Impound fee: $40.
Rabies vaccine: $10, eligible to be waived with proof of valid rabies vaccine.
Board fee: $20 per night.
Lost pet steps that actually help
- Call Onslow County Animal Services at 910-455-0182.
- Check the official Find My Lost Pet page.
- Submit a lost/found pet report if your pet is not at the shelter.
- Bring proof of ownership and valid ID if the pet is at the shelter.
- Update your microchip company with your current phone number and email.
- Post a clear photo with last-seen location, date, time and safe contact method.
- Keep checking because animals may appear after the first search.
Found a Pet in Onslow County? Report Lost/Found Animals and Check for Owner Proof
If you found a pet in Onslow County, use the official lost/found pet report route so shelter and animal-control staff can see the information. The report can include contact information, location information, animal description and a photo.
Do not assume the animal was dumped. Many lost pets are actively being searched for. If it is safe, check for ID tags, take a clear photo, keep location details, and ask an official shelter, veterinarian or animal-control route to scan for a microchip.
Use Onslow County’s official lost/found pet report route so staff can compare reports and field calls.
Animal Control: 910-455-0182, option 1.
Shelter Services: 910-937-1164.
If safe, look for tags, collar information and rabies tags. Ask for a microchip scan.
Do not handle aggressive, injured, trapped or frightened animals without official help.
Surrendering a Pet to Onslow County Animal Shelter: Appointment, Residency and Fees
Onslow County Animal Services accepts owner surrenders by appointment only. All persons surrendering must be Onslow County residents and provide proof of residency at the appointment. The county asks owners to think carefully before surrendering and to review rehoming and support resources first.
At the surrender appointment, the county requests valid ID, proof of residency, medical records if applicable, and payment. The county also notes resources such as outside rehoming help and behavior support options for pet parents with minor behavior concerns.
Appointment only.
Call before bringing an owned animal.
All persons surrendering must be Onslow County residents and show proof of residency.
Proof of ownership and fixed: $10.
Proof of ownership and not fixed: $20.
Without proof of ownership: $40.
Same litter: $30 for the whole litter.
Bring valid ID, residency proof, medical records, microchip details, behavior notes and payment.
Onslow County Animal Control, Field Assistance, Reports and Emergency Routing
For Animal Control assistance, Onslow County lists 910-455-0182, option 1. Animal Shelter Services can be reached at 910-937-1164 for shelter-related questions, reclaim appointments, surrender appointments and adoption-service questions.
Use animal control for field-related concerns such as stray animal problems, animal welfare concerns, urgent animal-service questions and official reporting. Use 911 for immediate danger, active attack, serious bite, injured person or urgent public-safety risk.
910-455-0182, option 1
Use for animal-control assistance and field-related questions.
910-937-1164
Use for adoption, reclaim, surrender and shelter-service questions.
911
Use for immediate danger, active attack, serious bite or public-safety emergency.
Use the official county report route when the matter is not an immediate emergency.
Onslow County Walk-In Rabies Vaccine Clinic: Thursday Hours, Cost and Rules
Onslow County Animal Services lists a walk-in rabies vaccination clinic every Thursday from 1 PM to 4 PM. No appointment is required. The listed cost is $10 per animal.
Animals must be at least four months old. They must be secured in a crate or on a leash. The county lists a limit of three animals per visit. The county also says users should bring a valid photo ID and that cash and card are accepted.
Every Thursday
Walk-in rabies clinic from 1 PM to 4 PM.
$10 per animal
No appointment is required for the listed walk-in clinic.
Animals must be at least four months old and secured in a crate or on a leash.
Limit three animals per visit. Bring valid photo ID. Cash and card are accepted.
Outdoor Cat Solutions, Community Cat Resources and Found Kitten Guidance
Onslow County Animal Services provides community cat resources and promotes outdoor cat solutions. The county notes that its Community Animal Clinic offers TNR services for community cats with low-cost neutering to help reduce the stray cat population.
If kittens are found outside, the county guidance emphasizes that a kitten’s best chance for survival is often with the mother cat. If the mother cat is not visible, she may be hunting or hiding. The guidance suggests placing the kitten in a warm, safe place where the mother can find it and waiting, unless the kitten is sick, injured or in danger.
Use Onslow County’s community cat resources and low-cost spay/neuter options instead of assuming every outdoor cat should enter the shelter.
If kittens appear healthy and the mother may return, do not remove them too quickly. Follow official county guidance.
Contact Animal Services at 910-455-0182 so the kittens can receive appropriate veterinary care guidance.
Onslow County’s Community Animal Clinic offers TNR services for community cats.
How to Help Onslow County Animal Shelter With Fostering, Volunteering and Donations
Onslow County Animal Services says fostering is one of the most powerful tools to help save more animals because it provides short-term accommodations for animals in need. Fostering can help animals who need a quieter space, medical recovery time, socialization, bottle feeding or temporary relief from shelter stress.
The volunteer program depends on help with enrichment, adoption events and basic shelter care. Example volunteer duties listed by the county include cleaning dog and cat enclosures, animal socialization and enrichment, enrichment prep, toys and treats, general shelter upkeep, grooming, landscaping, laundry, office support, off-site adoption events and rescue transport. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.
Use the official foster route if you can provide short-term care for shelter animals.
Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.
Younger helpers may still be able to support from outside through donations or approved projects.
Volunteer duties can include enrichment, cleaning, laundry, grooming, adoption event support and rescue transport.
Use the official county donate page and wish list before dropping off unusual, opened, expired or bulky items.
Onslow County Animal Shelter vs Private Rescues, Facebook Listings and Rehoming Pets
The search phrase “onslow county animal shelter” can show the official county website, Onslow County Animal Services Facebook, Shelterluv-powered listings, Adopt-a-Pet, Best Friends partner pages, private rescue groups, community rehoming pets and local social media posts. These are not all the same thing.
Official shelter adoptions, lost pet reclaim, surrender appointments, animal control, rabies clinic, lost/found reports and county shelter services.
Adopt-a-Pet, Shelterluv and social media can help users discover animals, but final availability should be verified with Onslow County Animal Services.
Community rehoming pets may still be in the owner’s home and are not the same as animals available for direct adoption at the county shelter.
Confirm the address, phone number, pet ID, fee, hours and service type before driving or paying anything.
Official Onslow County Animal Shelter Links and Contact Resources
Use these official resources first. This protects users from wrong hours, outdated pet listings, third-party listing delays, incorrect reclaim fees, surrender misunderstandings, rabies clinic confusion and fake animal availability posts.
🏠 Onslow County Animal Services
Main official county page for shelter services, adoptable pets, lost pets, foster, surrender, volunteer and community resources.
Open Animal Services🔎 Adoptable Pets
Official county adoptable pet page for animals currently available through Animal Services.
Open Adoptable Pets🐾 Adopt A Pet
Official adoption hub for before-you-adopt information, fees, adoption process and adoptable animals.
Open Adopt A Pet💳 Adoption Fees
Official dog, puppy, cat, small mammal, bird and barnyard animal adoption fee information.
Open Adoption Fees🔎 Find My Lost Pet
Official reclaim requirements, reclaim fees, lost pet report and shelter reclaim guidance.
Open Lost Pet Help📍 Report Lost/Found Pet
Official lost/found pet report route for contact information, location, description and photo.
Open Animal Services Hub🤝 Surrendering Your Pet
Official surrender appointment rules, residency requirement, documents and surrender fees.
Open Surrender Page🙋 Volunteer
Official volunteer duties, restrictions, age requirement and volunteer process information.
Open Volunteer Page🎁 Donate
Official donation route for supporting shelter animals and current supply needs.
Open Donate Page🐱 Community Cat Resources
Official kitten, outdoor cat, TNR and community cat guidance.
Open Cat Resources☎️ Animal Services Staff
Official staff directory and contact details for Animal Services.
Open Staff Directory📋 Services Provided
Official service overview, hours, reclaim and surrender appointment information.
Open Services PagePhone, address and contact details
244 Georgetown Road, Jacksonville, NC 28540
910-455-0182, option 1
Use for animal-control assistance and field-related issues.
910-937-1164
Use for adoption questions, reclaim appointments and surrender appointments.
Fax: 910-989-5798
Emergency: 911
Onslow County Animal Shelter Map and Visit Location
Onslow County Animal Services is located at 244 Georgetown Road, Jacksonville, NC 28540. Use this location for public adoption visits, approved reclaim appointments, approved surrender appointments, rabies clinic visits and official shelter services. For active danger, use 911 or Animal Control routing instead of driving to the shelter without instructions.
Onslow County Animal Services
Address: 244 Georgetown Road, Jacksonville, NC 28540
Onslow County Animal Shelter FAQs
What is the Onslow County Animal Shelter phone number?
Animal Control can be reached at 910-455-0182, option 1. Animal Shelter Services can be reached at 910-937-1164. Use 911 for emergencies.
Where is Onslow County Animal Shelter located?
Onslow County Animal Services is located at 244 Georgetown Road, Jacksonville, North Carolina 28540.
What are Onslow County Animal Shelter adoption hours?
Shelter and adoption hours are Tuesday through Friday from 12 PM to 5:30 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM. Sunday and Monday are closed. Animal interactions end 30 minutes before closing.
Do I need an appointment to adopt from Onslow County Animal Services?
No. Onslow County states that adoptions are walk-in only and no appointment is required. Reclaim and surrender services do require appointments, so call 910-937-1164 for those services.
How much are dog adoption fees at Onslow County Animal Shelter?
Dogs over 6 months are listed at $140. Puppies under 6 months are listed at $195. Verify the current fee and animal status before adopting.
How much are cat adoption fees at Onslow County Animal Shelter?
All cats are listed at $50 on the official Onslow County adoption fee page. Ask the shelter what records and included care apply to the cat you adopt.
What should I bring to reclaim a lost pet?
Bring proof of ownership, proof of current rabies vaccination if available, a valid form of identification and money for reclaim fees. Fees can include a $40 impound fee, $10 rabies vaccination fee unless waived with valid proof, and $20 board fee per night.
Can I surrender my pet to Onslow County Animal Services?
Owner surrenders are accepted by appointment only. You must be an Onslow County resident and provide proof of residency. Call 910-455-0182 or use the official surrender page for current instructions.
What are Onslow County owner surrender fees?
Official surrender fees are listed as $10 with proof of ownership and fixed, $20 with proof of ownership and not fixed, $40 without proof of ownership, and $30 for pets from the same litter.
When is the Onslow County rabies vaccine clinic?
Onslow County lists a walk-in rabies vaccination clinic every Thursday from 1 PM to 4 PM. The listed cost is $10 per animal. Animals must be at least four months old, secured in a crate or on leash, and there is a three-animal limit per visit.
Who do I call for Onslow County animal control?
Call 910-455-0182, option 1, for Animal Control assistance. For immediate danger, serious bite or active emergency, call 911.
Can I volunteer at Onslow County Animal Services?
Yes. Onslow County lists volunteer opportunities such as enrichment, cleaning, grooming, laundry, office support, adoption events and rescue transport. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.
Best Way to Use Onslow County Animal Shelter Resources in 2026
The best path is simple: use the official Onslow County Animal Services website first, check adoptable pets, visit during walk-in adoption hours, call 910-937-1164 before driving for one specific pet, and call 910-455-0182, option 1, for Animal Control assistance.
For the focus keyword onslow county animal shelter, this guide covers the full user intent: adoption hours, address, phone number, adoption fees, adoptable pets, lost pet reclaim, found pet reports, surrender appointments, Animal Control, rabies clinic, outdoor cats, foster, volunteer, donate, map and official links. That is the difference between a useful Onslow County shelter page and a thin article that only repeats an address.
Important Notice: This article is an independent informational guide and is not Onslow County Animal Services, Onslow County Government, Animal Control, Shelterluv, Facebook, a veterinarian, law enforcement, emergency services, or a legal authority. Adoption availability, fees, hours, reclaim requirements, surrender appointments, rabies clinic rules, outdoor cat guidance, volunteer needs and animal-control routing can change. Always verify urgent or official matters directly with Onslow County Animal Services, emergency services, public health, or the appropriate official agency before acting.