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Animal Adoption

Welcome to the Dare County Animal Shelter. We appreciate your consideration of adopting a homeless pet. The unique thing about getting an animal from our Shelter is that we let you know the obligations involved in owning a pet before you get the animal.

Some people wonder why we just don't hand out cats and dogs not knowing or caring where they may be going. Past experiences has shown that if we did that many animals would come back to this or another Shelter along with a litter that was not planned, or that the animal would be abandoned or let run the neighborhood, or used for research purposes. We have an obligation to you as a potential pet adopter to make you aware of all the responsibilities of pet ownership, and we have an obligation to the animal to ensure his new family is prepared to accept him. No matter how you obtain your new pet it is still going to require your time, cost, and responsibility. 

Paying the fees. You should be ready to pay all the applicable fees when you sign the contract.

	Adoption fee	County license	Spay/neuter surgery	Rabies vacc.	Maximum total
Dogs	$20.00	$5.00	$50.00	$5.00	$80.00
Cats	$20.00	--	$40.00	$5.00	$65.00

Applying. The first step in adopting from the Dare County Animal Shelter is filling out an application, which gives us important information about you and where you live.

Consulting. After reviewing your application, which usually takes one to three working days we'll help you prepare for the responsibilities of pet ownership. We recommend you choose your pet carefully.

Visiting the veterinarian. All pets adopted are bathed, dipped, wormed and given distemper shots at the shelter. Within seven (7) days from adopting your new pet, it must go to the veterinarian for a physical exam. The physical examination is free, and will help establish a relationship with your veterinarian and ensure your new pet is healthy. If the veterinarian recommends any shots, treatment or worming, he or she will discuss them and their cost before proceeding. State law requires that all dogs and cats 4 months and older be vaccinated against rabies. Animals that are not currently up to date on their rabies shots must be vaccinated by a veterinarian. Adopters pay a low-cost fee of $5.00 directly to the veterinarian for the rabies shot. The free physical exam will be performed on all adopted animals delivered to the veterinarian by the shelter staff, prior to surgery.

Spaying/neutering. Because of the tremendous pet over population problem, the adoption contract requires every pet adopted from the shelter be spayed or neutered. If your pet is more than 4 months old, shelter staff will deliver it to the veterinarian you choose, and you will need to pick it up after surgery. If your pet is younger than four months, the staff will make an appointment, but it is your responsible to keep it. Failure to spay or neuter will result in repossession of the pet.

Signing the adoption contract. After adoption application is approved a time is scheduled for you to come back to the shelter to sign the adoption contract, pay the fees, and make arrangements to pick up the pet. You must agree to the terms of the legal binding adoption contract and sigh that you will abide by all of them. If you have questions about the terms of this contract, please ask.

Picking up your pet. Be sure to bring a properly ventilated carrier if you’re adopting a cat, small dog, kitten, or puppy. If you’re adopting a larger dog, bring a collar and a leash. (You'll need those for exercising any size of dog.) Pet supplies are easy to find, but you can support the Outer Banks SPCA by purchasing them at the shelter.

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Important Considerations

Your family. Is anyone allergic to animal hair? Do you have small children who may be over powered by a large dog, or who may play to rough with a puppy, kitten, cat, or small dog? Is there a family member home to house break a young animal?

Your home. Do you have space for a large dog? A large dog needs a fenced yard for exercise. If you rent a house or apartment will your landlord allow a pet to live to live on the property?

Your time. Do you have the time to regularly exercise a dog or to groom a longhaired cat? Will you be willing to clean up after "accidents" and vacuum animal hair that has shed?

Your budget. Will you be able to afford the financial burden of maintaining a pet? Pets require routine check-ups, shots, and medication. Licensing, grooming, altering and vacation care are additional expenses.

Pet request. If we do not have the type of pet you are looking for our staff will be happy to take a pet request and call you if we get in an animal you might be interested. This is the application which can start the adoption process if we get an animal in that is the type, breed, or age you are looking for.