Animal Control

1037 Coble Avenue, Albemarle, NC

Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:00pm and Saturday, 10:00am-12noon.  An Animal Control Officer is available for emergencies seven (7) days a week – 24 hours a day.

An Animal Control Officer is available for emergencies seven (7) days a week – 24 hours a day. After hours, leave a message on the answering machine at 704-986-3881 or call Stanly County Communications at 704-986-3700.

Yes

Yes you may drop off your cat or dog during regular business hours.

You are required to notify Animal Control to pick up stray animals that show up at your house within 72 hours. If the temperament of the animal allows you, you may bring the pet to Animal Control during regular business hours if convenient.

Keeping of stray animals is allowed, but with some conditions.  Animal Control must be notified within 72 hours.  This helps assist reuniting lost pets with their owners.

Stray animals are held here for a minimum of 120 hours (under most circumstances) in order for the owners to have ample time to reclaim them.  This 120 hour period does not include the day the animal comes in, weekends or holidays.  Owner surrender animals are placed in adoptable status and held if their attitudes and temperaments allow it.  Strays, after fulfilling the holding period, are held for possible adoption if they are acceptable.  The local rescue league plays a tremendous part in placing animals

Yes

Yes – dog and cat adoptions.

People are encouraged to come to the animal shelter (1037 Coble Avenue, Albemarle) during regular business hours or click on www.petharbor.com to see animals currently housed at the animal shelter.  The Stanly County Animal Shelter is listed under “Adoptable, Lost and Found Pets.”

Any person attempting to redeem an impounded animal must present sufficient proof to satisfy animal Control personnel of the ownership of the Animal. Evidence of ownership may include, but is not limited to the following:

(1) License tag from another county;

(2) Rabies tag for animal;

(3) Ownership documents, pedigree papers, bill of sale and any other document identifying the person as owner of the animal;

(4) Photographs of the animal with the owner or other family members; or

(5) Affidavit from two people in the community stating that the animal has been in the presence or possession of the person attempting to resume possession.

Any person attempting to redeem an animal on behalf of  an owner shall present sufficient proof to satisfy Animal Control personnel that he/she is acting as an agent for the owner.

The owner of an impounded animal must pay all redemption fees , boarding fees and civil penalties assessed against the animal before it can be released from the shelter.  Boarding fees begin 24 hours after notification.

State law requires all dogs and cats four (4) months or older to be vaccinated against rabies.  The initial rabies vaccine lasts for one (1) year and each following rabies vaccine is good for three (3) years IF given before the previous rabies vaccination expires.  State law requires that dogs always wear rabies tags.  Rabies vaccination verification on cats and ferrets is to be kept available for an Animal Control Officer review as necessary.

They are held the last of April or first of May.

The Animal Control ordinance requires Local Licensure of Dogs (county tax tag) for dogs and that dogs be included on the annual county tax listing ($6.00 per dog).  Dogs do not have to wear the county tax tag if accompanied by its owner or is engaged in hunting or other sport in which the tag might endanger its safety.  The dog owner would still have to provide the county tax tag if requested by Animal Control personnel.  This should not be confused with the state law requirement for dogs to always wear rabies tags.

Stanly County does not have a leash law, but we have an active restraint ordinance of dogs on property under three (3) acres.  Restraints include:

(1) Inside a secure enclosure that is size appropriate for the dog contained with sides of sufficient height and depth to prevent the animal from jumping, climbing or digging out of the enclosure; or

(2) Inside the primary residence of the owner/harborer when on the owner’s/harborer’s property; or

(3) Controlled by a leash of sufficient means to restrain the dog and under control of a competent person when outside a secure enclosure or home; or

(4)Inside an area on the owner’s property secured by a functional, properly maintained electronic fencing device; or

(5) Within the passenger area of a vehicle, restrained in a safe manner to prevent the dog from jumping over the sides or out of an open bed truck or in a secure enclosure on the vehicle or trailer; or

(6) Under the control of a licensed hunter while said dog was in the act of hunting or training for hunting as regulated by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission; or

(7) Participating at an animal show, competition or flied trial; or

(8) Sufficiently near theowner or a competent handler on the owner’s property to be under his/her direct control while playing with or socializing with the dog and the dog is obedient to that person’s commands; or

(9) Tethered by means of a size appropriate chain, cable or like device not less than eight (8) feet in length with swivel fasteners at both ends of the tether. Tethers shall be fastened to a collar (not choke or pinch collar) or harness on the dog and attached to a D-ring on the collar or harness.  It shall be unlawful to tether a dog in such a manner as to cause injury or pain, or not permit it to reach shelter, food and water.

Call Animal Control, so the situation can be assessed.  Animal Control can take the appropriate  measures, if the animal in question is exhibiting abnormal behavior.

State law does not require shelter for horses.

The Animal Control ordinances do not cover noise issues.  However, you may check with law enforcement for your area about local noise issues.