Wayne County Animal Shelter, Control & Adoption 2026

Dogs/cats 5 months or older

Unsterilized dogs and cats 5 months or older adopted from Wayne County Animal Shelter must be spayed or neutered within 1 month of adoption.

Under 5 months

Animals adopted under 5 months must be spayed or neutered at or by 7 months of age.

Proof required

Written proof of sterilization must be promptly provided to Wayne County Animal Control.

Rabies proof

If current rabies vaccination proof cannot be provided, the dog or cat must be vaccinated before redemption or adoption unless too young.

72-hour rabies card

For dogs/cats 4 months or older that are issued a proof-of-rabies card, the ordinance states a 72-hour limit, excluding Sundays and holidays.

Officer retrieval warning

If the rabies card is not returned within the stated time, the ordinance says an animal control officer will be dispatched to retrieve the animal.

If your pet is lost

• Submit the official lost pet report.
• Call 919-731-1439 if the pet may be impounded or you need current shelter guidance.
• Search nearby first: porches, sheds, crawl spaces, garages, drainage ditches and neighbors’ yards.
• Post clear photos with last-seen cross streets, date, collar/tag, microchip and contact method.
• Visit in person if possible; a frightened pet can look different in a kennel photo.
• Bring ownership proof: photos, vet records, adoption papers, rabies certificate or microchip details.

If you found an animal

• Submit the official found pet report.
• If safe, keep the animal away from traffic, children and your own pets.
• Check for tags only if it is safe to handle the animal.
• Ask a vet or shelter route about microchip scanning.
• Use exact location details: road, neighborhood, landmark, time found and direction of travel.
• For aggressive, injured or unsafe animals, call Animal Services/Animal Control instead of handling.

5-day clock

Do not wait. The ordinance includes a 120-hour / 5-day redemption window after notice is given or posted.

Bring ownership proof

Bring photos, vet records, rabies certificate, adoption papers, microchip details or license/tag evidence.

Bring payment

Redemption fees, boarding fees and rabies vaccination costs may apply.

Rabies proof matters

If current proof cannot be furnished, rabies vaccination requirements apply before redemption or adoption.

Call first

Call 919-731-1439 to confirm status, fees, paperwork and pickup timing before driving.

No self-adoption loophole

The ordinance says an owner may not adopt their own impounded animal as a way to reclaim it.

Report bites quickly

The ordinance says every dog or cat that has bitten a person or shows symptoms of rabies must be confined immediately and promptly reported.

10-day quarantine

The ordinance describes a 10-day supervised quarantine period under Animal Control direction for biting dogs/cats or animals showing rabies symptoms.

Home quarantine is conditional

Home confinement may be authorized only when Animal Control determines facilities are adequate and vaccination proof is available.

Pet screenshot, carrier/leash, ID, payment, household approval and landlord approval if renting.

Recent photo, microchip info, rabies proof, collar/tag details and last-seen location.

Ownership proof, rabies certificate, ID, payment and enough time before closing.

Exact address, animal description, photos if safe, incident time and whether danger is immediate.