ALL ADOPTED ANIMALS THAT NEED RABIES VACCINATION, OR SPAY OR NEUTER SURGERY WILL REQUIRE $100.00 DEPOSIT IF TAKEN OUT OF THE SHELTER PRIOR TO SURGERY.

Adoption cost may be lower if the animal has already been spayed or neutered!

(back to top)

Public Safety

animal ordinance | rabies control | stray animals | dangerous dogs

Rabies Control

Rabies is a deadly disease that has no cure. It can attack animals anywhere in the world. In Henderson County confirmed rabies cases has decreased in the past years from 15 confirmed cases and 3 unconfirmed cases to 6 confirmed cases in 2007. Most cases have been within the raccoon population. However, people are at risk for exposure if their domestic pets have come in contact with a rabid animal. Precautions people can take to reduce their exposure are to:

• keep your pet vaccinated against rabies
• not allowing your pet to roam free
• avoid contact with wildlife

Every owner or keeper of a dog or cat over four months of age shall have the animal vaccinated against rabies pursuant to G.S. 130A-185. Each year local veterinarians conduct low cost rabies vaccination clinics. Please check with your veterinarian or the Animal Shelter about a clinic in your area.

Henderson County Confirmed Rabies Cases

Stray Animals

Animal Control Officers will pick up stray dogs and cats on public property or on private property when reported. If the animal has tags, every reasonable effort is made to contact the the owner to come and pick up the animal at the shelter. It is County policy that the animal is to be held at the shelter for a minimum of 3 days. If the owner is not located the pet is offered for adoption or if necessary, euthanized.

Henderson County Commissioners passed an amendment to the Animal Ordinance requiring owners to restrain or confine their animals. Local municipalities may have stricter laws. Any animal running loose must not be a nuisance, and must have a current rabies tag attached to the collar. ID tags help locate owners. In some cases, wanted pets have been destroyed at the Shelter because the owner was identified too late. Spay and neutering your pet also helps control the stray population. Please check with a veterinarian about these procedures.

Dangerous Dogs

Senate bill 1994 became law on October 1, 1990. The Dangerous Dog Law requires the owner of a dangerous dog to take precautions against attacks by such dogs. It imposes criminal penalties and civil liabilities upon the owner of a dangerous dog which attacks and causes serious bodily injury to a person. The owner of a dangerous dog that attacks a person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to five thousand dollars ($5,000), imprisonment up to two years or both.

If an individual is bitten by a dog, no matter how minor the bite seems, go to the Emergency Room. Animal bites can be very dangerous. The hospital will contact the Animal Shelter for you.

(back to top)

Lost & Found

Unfortunately, pets lose their way from home. Some pets are found and kept safe by kind strangers. Other pets are taken to local shelters. Animal Services maintains a list of all reported lost and found pets and makes every reasonable effort to locate owners.

If you have lost your pet, it is best to visit the shelter. It is sometimes difficult to identify your pet over the phone. Stray animals are kept at the shelter for a minimum of 3 days before offered for adoption or if necessary, euthanized.

(back to top)

©2005 Henderson County Animal Services, Hendersonville, North Carolina

Page last updated on 6/01/08

Disclaimer