Pender County Animal Shelter, Adoption & Pets 2026
Use this page as a Pender County pet-action dashboard: adopt a dog or cat, check shelter hours, reclaim a lost pet, surrender a county animal, request Animal Control pickup, or get a low-cost rabies vaccine.
Important: Pender County says the shelter takes animals belonging to Pender County residents or animals found in Pender County. The shelter does not accept out-of-county animals.
Choose What You Need
Clickable Pender County Pet Help Cards
Tap the matching action. Each card gives the correct official route or phone step.
Official Must-Know Rules Before You Go
These are the rules searchers usually miss on generic animal shelter pages.
County-only intake
Pender County says the shelter takes animals belonging to Pender County residents or animals found in Pender County.
No out-of-county animals
The official shelter page states that out-of-county animals are not accepted.
72-hour stray hold
Animals brought by Animal Control or without proof of ownership are held for 72 hours, or 3 consecutive days, under state law.
Adopter requirements
Adopters must have photo ID, be over 18, have no animal-cruelty convictions, and pay in full at adoption.
Payment methods
Pender County lists cash, check, Visa, Discover, or Master Card for adoption payment.
After-hours emergencies
After hours and weekends, contact the Pender County Sheriff’s Department at 910-259-1212 to reach the on-call Animal Control Officer.
Pender County Animal Shelter Hours
The shelter is open 7 days a week except holidays, but public hours are shorter than a normal county office day.
| Day | Public shelter hours | Best use | Before you go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 1-5 p.m. | Adoptions, surrenders, rabies vaccines, shelter questions. | Call 910-259-1484 if you need pet availability confirmed. |
| Tuesday | 1-5 p.m. | Adoption visit, reclaim question, county pet intake. | Bring ID and proof documents. |
| Wednesday | 1-5 p.m. | Midweek adoption or reclaim visit. | Check live pet listings first. |
| Thursday | 1-5 p.m. | Adoption, surrender, vaccine questions. | Do not arrive near closing with complex paperwork. |
| Friday | 1-5 p.m. | Good day to act before weekend. | Ask about weekend availability before leaving. |
| Saturday | Noon-4 p.m. | Weekend adoption visit or shelter inquiry. | Arrive early because hours are shorter. |
| Sunday | Noon-4 p.m. | Weekend adoption or quick shelter visit. | Confirm holiday closures first. |
Adoption Fees and What They Include
Pender County lists clear adoption fees and medical inclusions for dogs/puppies and cats/kittens.
| Animal | Adoption fee | Included by Pender County | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog / puppy | $80 | Age-appropriate vaccines including Rabies, Distemper/Parvo, Kennel Cough; Drontal Plus deworming; Coccidia treatment; 30-day flea/tick treatment; shelter-vet exam; microchip; spay/neuter. | Is the dog already spayed/neutered, and are there any behavior or medical notes? |
| Cat / kitten | $60 | Age-appropriate vaccines including Rabies and Distemper; Drontal Plus deworming; Coccidia treatment; 30-day flea/ear mite treatment; shelter-vet exam; microchip; spay/neuter. | What litter, food, isolation, vaccine, or medical follow-up is needed? |
| Horse / livestock | Varies | Pender County says horses/livestock are occasional and fees vary by species and individual behavior. | Call first and ask about handling, transport, fencing, and veterinary needs. |
| Medical delay spay/neuter case | Adoption fee applies | If spay/neuter is unsafe before adoption for health reasons, Pender County says a $30 voucher is given for use at a vet within 6 months. | Ask exactly what the voucher covers and the deadline. |
How to Adopt: Micro-Steps
Use these steps before you visit. It saves time and prevents incomplete adoption trips.
Open current pets
Start with Animals Up For Adoption and the Pender County Animal Shelter Petfinder page. Screenshot the animal name, species, and ID if shown.
Call before driving
Call 910-259-1484 to confirm the animal is still available, has completed the stray hold if applicable, and can be viewed/adopted.
Prepare ID and payment
Bring photo ID and payment in full. Pender County lists cash, check, Visa, Discover, or Master Card.
Check household fit
Ask about kids, dogs, cats, energy level, medical notes, bite/behavior notes, vaccines, microchip, and spay/neuter status.
Bring transport gear
Bring a leash/harness for dogs and a secure carrier for cats or kittens. New pets can panic in parking lots and cars.
Plan the first 72 hours at home
Use a quiet room or decompression area, keep resident pets separated at first, schedule a vet follow-up, and update microchip contact details.
72-Hour Stray Hold: What It Means
This rule matters for adopters and owners trying to reclaim pets.
3 consecutive days
Animals brought in by Pender County Animal Control or by the public with no proof of ownership are held for 72 hours.
Owner reclaim window
The hold gives owners time to find and prove ownership of their pet.
After hold
Unclaimed animals become county property and are evaluated for health and temperament before adoption placement.
Lost or Found Pet in Pender County
Use shelter, Animal Control, proof documents, and quick local posting together.
If your pet is lost
- Call the shelter at 910-259-1484.
- Call Animal Control at 910-259-1349 during Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- After hours or on weekends, call the Sheriff’s Department at 910-259-1212.
- Bring proof of ownership: photos, tags, medical records, timeline photos, license/rabies records, or microchip details.
- Search close to home first: porches, sheds, ditches, wooded edges, barns, garages, and neighbors’ cameras.
- Post clear photos with cross streets, date, collar/tag details, and contact method.
If you found an animal
- If safe, keep the animal away from traffic and your own pets.
- If found in Pender County, bring the stray to the shelter during normal business hours or call Animal Control for pickup.
- Do not bring out-of-county animals to Pender County Animal Shelter.
- Take clear photos before moving the animal.
- Ask for a microchip scan if safe and appropriate.
- For bites, rabies concern, injured animals, or public-safety threats, use Animal Control rather than handling the animal yourself.
Surrender, Redeem, Tickets and Fees
These are the practical fee details users usually need before calling or visiting.
| Need | Official rule / fee | Bring or do this | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner surrender | $10 surrender fee | Pender County residents should bring proof of ownership. | Call before arriving with multiple animals or special situations. |
| Stray found in Pender County | No fixed surrender fee shown for strays | Bring during normal business hours or call Animal Control to pick up. | Applies to animals found in Pender County. |
| Redeem 1st offense | $40 | Bring ownership proof and payment. | Additional tickets may be separate. |
| Redeem 2nd offense | $60 | Bring ownership proof and payment. | Ask if Animal Control ticket exists. |
| Redeem 3rd offense | $100 | Bring ownership proof and payment. | Each additional offense increases by $50. |
| Running at large fine | Initial fine $50 | Ticket is handled through Animal Control / Sheriff’s Office process. | Shelter says it has nothing to do with ticket/fine payment. |
| No ID tag or microchip | Initial fine $50 | Keep tags or microchip identification current. | Identification is required at all times. |
| No rabies tag | Initial fine $50 | Dogs/cats/ferrets must wear rabies tags under NC law. | Keep rabies vaccination current. |
Pender County Animal Control: What They Handle
Animal Control is part of the Pender County Sheriff’s Department and is the route for enforcement, public safety, and stray/roaming animal issues.
Dangerous dogs
Animal Control handles dangerous dog investigation and enforcement.
Local and state laws
Animal Control enforces state and local animal laws.
Nuisance abatement
Use Animal Control for nuisance animal issues and public-safety complaints.
Rabies control
Pender County identifies rabies as a major county health concern and Animal Control responds to rabies-related issues.
Stray animal control
Officers impound stray and unwanted animals and house them at Pender County Animal Shelter.
Wild dogs and cats
Animal Control lists trapping of wild dogs and cats among its services.
| Route | Phone / address | Use when |
|---|---|---|
| Pender County Animal Control | 910-259-1349 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Rabid animals, dog/cat bites, injured animals, abused animals, strays, roaming animals, public-health threats. |
| After hours / weekends | 910-259-1212 | Call the Sheriff’s Department to reach the on-call Animal Control Officer. |
| Sheriff’s Office / Animal Control Office | 605 E Fremont Street, Burgaw, NC 28425 | Animal Control division location and Sheriff’s Office contact route. |
| Emergency | 911 | Immediate human safety emergency. |
Rabies Vaccines at Pender County Animal Shelter
Pender County says the shelter administers rabies vaccines and highlights rabies as a serious county health concern.
Resident fee
Rabies vaccines at the shelter are listed as $5 per dog/cat/ferret for Pender County residents.
Out-of-county fee
Pender County lists $10 for out-of-county residents.
Age rule
Pender County says all indoor and outdoor pets should be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age.
Before You Leave Home
Pet screenshot, photo ID, payment, leash/carrier, household approval.
Tags, medical records, timeline photos, microchip details, payment.
Pender County residency/ownership proof, $10 surrender fee, medical/behavior notes.
Dog/cat/ferret information, proof of residency if applicable, payment, leash/carrier.
Local Pender County Tips
Call before transport
If you found an animal near a county border, call first. Pender County does not accept out-of-county animals.
Arrive early
Public shelter hours are limited, especially on weekends. Do not arrive near closing with a surrender, reclaim, or adoption decision.
Bring more proof
For reclaiming, bring multiple forms of proof: photos, vet records, tags, rabies records, and microchip details.
Ask about the hold
If adopting a stray, ask whether the 72-hour hold is complete and whether health/temperament evaluation is done.
Confirm payment
Adoptions require full payment. For other fees or fines, confirm whether the shelter or Sheriff’s Office handles payment.
Keep rabies tags on
Pender County notes dogs/cats/ferrets must wear rabies tags under NC law, and the initial fine is listed as $50.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Adoption
Hi, I am interested in [animal name/ID]. Is this pet still available, has the 72-hour hold ended if applicable, and what should I bring for adoption?Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat] is missing near [road/cross streets]. Description: [color/size/collar/microchip]. Has a matching animal been brought in?Found pet
Hi, I found a [dog/cat] in Pender County near [exact location]. The animal is [safe/injured/aggressive]. Should I bring it in or request Animal Control pickup?Surrender
Hi, I am a Pender County resident and need to discuss surrendering my [dog/cat]. I have proof of ownership and records. What should I bring and when should I arrive?Map: Pender County Animal Shelter
Use this map for the shelter location. For Animal Control pickup, public-safety concerns, or after-hours emergencies, call first.
Official Pender County Animal Links
The key details are already summarized above. Use these official pages for live pets, forms, current policies, and final verification.
Pender County Animal Shelter FAQ
Where is Pender County Animal Shelter located?
Pender County Animal Shelter is located at 3280 New Savannah Road, Burgaw, NC 28425.
What is the Pender County Animal Shelter phone number?
The shelter phone number is 910-259-1484.
What are Pender County Animal Shelter hours?
The shelter lists Monday-Friday 1-5 p.m., Saturday noon-4 p.m., and Sunday noon-4 p.m., except holidays.
Does Pender County Animal Shelter accept out-of-county animals?
No. Pender County says the shelter takes animals belonging to Pender County residents or animals found in Pender County, and it does not accept out-of-county animals.
How much is dog adoption at Pender County Animal Shelter?
Pender County lists dog/puppy adoption at $80, including age-appropriate vaccines, deworming, Coccidia treatment, 30-day flea/tick treatment, shelter-vet exam, microchip, and spay/neuter when medically safe.
How much is cat adoption at Pender County Animal Shelter?
Pender County lists cat/kitten adoption at $60, including age-appropriate vaccines, deworming, Coccidia treatment, 30-day flea/ear mite treatment, shelter-vet exam, microchip, and spay/neuter.
What do I need to adopt from Pender County Animal Shelter?
You need photo ID, must be over 18, must have no animal-cruelty convictions, and must provide full payment at adoption.
How long are stray animals held at Pender County Animal Shelter?
Pender County says animals brought by Animal Control or by the public with no proof of ownership are held for 72 hours, or 3 consecutive days, under state law.
How much is the owner surrender fee?
Pender County lists a $10 owner surrender fee for Pender County residents with proof of ownership.
Who do I call for Pender County Animal Control after hours?
After hours and on weekends, call the Pender County Sheriff’s Department at 910-259-1212 to reach the on-call Animal Control Officer.
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.