Union County Animal Shelter, Control & Adoption 2026
Use this Union County, NC guide like a quick animal-help dashboard: adoption hours, same-day adoption steps, lost/found pets, stray animal reporting, reclaim documents, impound fees and official contacts.
Start with location: Union County Animal Services is at 3340 Presson Rd, Monroe, NC 28112. For adoption, call 704-283-8303. For animal services, lost/found or bites, call 704-283-2308.
Choose What You Need
Clickable Union County Animal Help Cards
Tap the matching action. This is faster than reading a long paragraph.
Who to Call First
Use this before driving to the shelter or approaching a stray animal.
| Situation | Call / click | What to say | Next micro-step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adopt a pet | 704-283-8303 | “Is [pet name/description] still available today?” | Bring driver’s license and $85 payment. |
| Lost pet | 704-283-2308 + ucadopt@unioncountync.gov | “My pet is missing near [area]. I’m sending a photo and description.” | Check Facebook/photos often and visit if you believe your pet is there. |
| Found pet | 704-283-2308 | “I found a [dog/cat] at [exact location]. I can/cannot safely hold it.” | Email picture, description, found area and date. |
| Unknown stray animal | 704-283-2308 | “There is a stray animal at [address/landmark].” | Do not approach an animal unknown to you. |
| Animal bite | 704-283-2308 | “Someone was bitten by [animal description] at [location].” | Seek medical advice and report quickly. |
| Pet at shelter | Reclaim info | “I believe my pet is in custody. What fees are due today?” | Bring ID, ownership proof, rabies proof and payment. |
Union County Animal Shelter Hours
Adoption hours and animal-services hours are different. Use the right time window.
| Service | Hours | Best use | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Services office | Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm | Stray, lost/found, bite and animal-services questions. | Call 704-283-2308. |
| Animal intake | Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm; Saturday, 10am-2:30pm | Intake-related questions and found-animal routing. | Call first if you found an animal. |
| Adoption hours | Monday-Friday, 1pm-5pm; Saturday, 10am-3pm | Public adoption visits and same-day adoption. | Call 704-283-8303 before visiting for a specific animal. |
| Sunday | Closed | No regular public adoption hours. | Use online resources and prepare your visit. |
Adoption Fee and What It Includes
Union County’s adoption process is simple, but the details matter before you say yes.
| Animal | Adoption fee | Included services | Ask before adopting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog / Puppy | $85 | 1st DHPP, basic deworming, one dose of Frontline, heartworm check for dogs over 6 months, Bordetella, rabies vaccine for dogs 12 weeks and older, physical exam by participating vet, spay/neuter. | Is spay/neuter already done? What vet office and timeline apply? |
| Cat / Kitten | $85 | 1st FVRCP, basic deworming, one dose of Frontline, feline leukemia/AIDS check, rabies vaccine for cats 12 weeks and older, physical exam by participating vet, spay/neuter. | Any litter, feeding, vaccine, or quiet-room setup notes? |
Same-Day Adoption Micro-Steps
Follow this order so the shelter visit is practical, not confusing.
Check available pets first
Use the official Adopt a Pet page, Petfinder listing, and Union County Animal Services Facebook updates. Save screenshots.
Call before driving
Call 704-283-8303 and ask whether the pet is still available and whether same-day adoption is possible.
Bring your driver’s license
Union County says adopters need a driver’s license. Keep payment ready before visiting.
Spend time with the animal
Union County encourages visitors to spend time with the animal and make sure the pet is the right fit for the family.
Bring kids or ask about pet introductions
Bring children when useful and tell staff if you want to introduce current pets to a potential new pet.
Understand the contract
You may sign a contract stating the animal will be spayed or neutered within 6 months if not already completed.
Lost or Found Pet in Union County
Use phone, email, pictures and in-person checking together. One Facebook post is not enough.
If your pet is lost
- Call Union County Animal Services at 704-283-2308.
- Email ucadopt@unioncountync.gov with a clear photo.
- Include full description, area lost, date missing, collar/tag details and microchip status.
- Check the official lost/found page and Facebook updates often.
- If you believe the pet is at the shelter, visit 3340 Presson Rd, Monroe, NC 28112 to identify your pet.
- Bring ID, ownership proof, rabies proof and payment in case your pet is there.
If you found a pet
- Do not approach an animal unknown to you if it seems unsafe.
- Call 704-283-2308 with location and description.
- Email a photo, full description, area found and date found.
- Ask a vet or shelter route about microchip scanning when safe.
- Keep the found pet separate from your animals if temporarily holding.
- Remember: lost and found pets should be reported to Union County Animal Services.
Reclaiming a Pet from Union County Animal Services
Prepare documents before visiting so you do not lose time during the short stray-hold window.
Government ID
Bring a valid government-issued ID.
Ownership proof
Bring photos, vet records, license records, adoption papers or microchip details.
Rabies proof
Bring proof of current rabies vaccination if available.
Payment
Union County lists cash, Visa or MasterCard.
Act quickly
Animals are held at least 72 hours before adoption evaluation.
Call first
Call 704-283-2308 to confirm the animal is still in custody.
Reclaim / impound fees
| Fee item | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| 1st impound fee | $25 | First impound listed by Union County. |
| 2nd and subsequent impound fee | Additional $25 | Additional impound events. |
| Daily fee | $5 per day, per animal | Daily boarding/holding charge. |
| Rabies vaccine | $5 | If not currently vaccinated. |
Stray Animal Reporting and Local Rules
Union County’s official stray guidance is practical: safety first, then report with a clear description.
Do this
- Call 704-283-2308 for stray animals in need.
- Give exact location, color, size, collar/tag and behavior.
- If a stray shows up at your home, contact Animal Services with your contact information.
- Send a picture if you are reporting a lost or found animal by email.
Avoid this
- Do not approach a stray animal unknown to you.
- Do not assume there is one countywide leash rule for every town or city.
- Do not wait days to report a lost pet.
- Do not rely only on online listings; visit if you believe your pet is at the shelter.
Before You Leave Home
Driver’s license, $85, pet screenshot, family approval, carrier/leash.
Clear photo, microchip number, collar/tag details, exact lost area and date.
Photo, exact found location, behavior notes, safe holding status.
ID, ownership proof, rabies proof, payment, shelter confirmation call.
Union County Local Insider Tips
Call before driving
Availability can change quickly. Call the adoption desk before visiting for a specific pet.
Use strong photos
Lost/found emails should include clear side and face photos, not only a blurry distance picture.
72 hours matters
If your pet may be at the shelter, do not wait. Strays are held at least 72 hours before adoption evaluation.
Ask for pet intro
Tell staff if you want to introduce a current pet to a potential new pet.
Renters verify first
Check landlord rules, deposits, breed/weight limits and pet count before same-day adoption.
Rabies proof helps
For reclaim, proof of current rabies vaccination can prevent delays and extra vaccine fees.
Map: Union County Animal Services
Use this map for the Union County Animal Services location in Monroe, NC. Call first for adoption availability or found/stray questions.
Copy/Paste Call and Email Scripts
Adoption call
Hi, I’m interested in [pet name/description]. Is this animal still available today, and what should I bring for same-day adoption?Lost pet email
My pet is missing near [area] since [date]. Description: [color/size/breed/collar/microchip]. I’m attaching photos. Please let me know if a matching animal arrives.Found pet call
Hi, I found a [dog/cat] near [exact location]. The animal is [safe/scared/injured/aggressive]. I can/cannot safely hold it. What should I do next?Reclaim call
Hi, I believe my pet may be at the shelter. I can bring ID, proof of ownership, rabies proof and payment. Can you confirm the animal is still there?Official Union County Animal Links
The key details are summarized above. Use these official links for current animals, final verification and direct action.
Union County Animal Shelter FAQ
Where is Union County Animal Services located?
Union County Animal Services is located at 3340 Presson Rd, Monroe, NC 28112.
What is the Union County Animal Services phone number?
For animal services, lost/found pets, stray animal reports and bite-related questions, call 704-283-2308.
What is the Union County animal adoption phone number?
For animal adoption questions, call 704-283-8303.
What are Union County Animal Shelter adoption hours?
Adoption hours are Monday through Friday from 1pm to 5pm and Saturday from 10am to 3pm. Sunday is closed.
How much is the Union County Animal Services adoption fee?
The adoption fee is $85 for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens.
What does the dog adoption fee include?
The dog adoption fee includes first DHPP, basic deworming, one dose of Frontline, heartworm check for dogs over 6 months, Bordetella, rabies vaccine for dogs 12 weeks and older, physical exam by a participating vet and spay/neuter.
What does the cat adoption fee include?
The cat adoption fee includes first FVRCP, basic deworming, one dose of Frontline, feline leukemia/AIDS check, rabies vaccine for cats 12 weeks and older, physical exam by a participating vet and spay/neuter.
How long are stray animals held at Union County Animal Services?
Union County says stray animals brought into the shelter are scanned for a microchip and held for at least 72 hours before being evaluated for adoption.
What do I need to reclaim my pet?
To reclaim a pet, bring a valid government-issued ID, proof of ownership, proof of current rabies vaccination and payment for all fees.
How do I report a lost or found pet in Union County?
Call Union County Animal Services at 704-283-2308 or email ucadopt@unioncountync.gov with a picture, full description, area lost or found and the date the animal went missing or was found.
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.