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The mission of New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Unit is to protect the public from the threat of rabies virus exposure and to ensure proper animal care, through prevention, public perception, and education.
The Animal Services Unit desires to provide the best possible homes for our available animals.
The complaints should be handled in order of priority dependent upon public safety concerns and animal cruelty issues.
Dogs that are found to be in violation of any of the panel’s decisions or ordinances may be confiscated by ASU staff and their owner cited.
Learn about the fees for pet adoptions and shelters.
Dogs, cats, and ferrets are required to have a current rabies vaccination starting at four months of age, which must be maintained for the duration of the pet’s life.
All animal bites to a human must be reported to Animal Services Unit.