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ANIMAL SERVICES FAQ
We are located at 1450 North Horner Blvd, Sanford NC 27330. Business hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. All services are by appointment only; they begin at 10:00 am and end at 3:30 pm. Our phone number is 919-776-7446. Our fax number is 919-718-1426.
For after hours emergencies, please contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Department at 919-775-5531 and ask for Animal Control. Animal Control Deputies will respond for the following things:
- Animal Bites
- Dangerous/Vicious Animals
- Rabies exposure
At this time, we do not have a Veterinarian on staff. The shelter staff is capable of providing basic medical care, administering rabies vaccines, and euthanasia if an animal comes in suffering from a life-threatening condition. Although we cannot provide professional medical care at the shelter, we work with many organizations that can help in a medical emergency by use of our medical foster program. This program requires the backing of one of our rescue partners, and is utilized quite often in order to avoid euthanasia, and get veterinary care as soon as possible.
NC State Law requires stray animals to be held for 72 hours, and owner surrenders 24 hours. However, space permitting, our shelter holds adoptable animals as long as possible in order to find them a rescue or adopter. Humane euthanasia is the last resort for adoptable animals.
Lee County Shelter does not have an adoption fee. If a rabies vaccine has been administered, that fee is $10.00.
In order to adopt from LCAS, you are asked to visit the website at leecountync.animalshelternet.com to browse the available animals for adoption. If there is one you are interested in, you must schedule a meet and greet at the shelter by calling 919-776-7446. If the animal you meet is a good fit for you and your home, the process of adopting will begin. The adopter is required and financially responsible to get the animal ALTERED, MICROCHIPED, FULLY VACCINATED, and given a BASIC HEALTH EXAM at their chosen Veterinarian Hospital. In order to ensure these services will be completed, there is a contract that the adopter will be given at the shelter to complete between them and their chosen Veterinarian within 2 hours. The services mentioned above need to be scheduled and paid for in full, and the Vet hospital staff must sign off on the contract as well. Once the contract is brought back to the shelter completed, the animal may go home with their new family. The Shelter follows up with the Vet hospital to ensure services were completed, and works closely with Animal Control of the Sheriff’s Dept to reclaim any animals that have not had their services completed.
In order to adopt from LCAS, you are asked to visit the website at leecountync.animalshelternet.com to browse the available animals for adoption. If there is one you are interested in, you must schedule a meet and greet at the shelter by calling 919-776-7446. If the animal you meet is a good fit for you and your home, the process of adopting will begin. The adopter is required and financially responsible to get the animal ALTERED, MICROCHIPED, FULLY VACCINATED, and given a BASIC HEALTH EXAM at their chosen Veterinarian Hospital. In order to ensure these services will be completed, there is a contract that the adopter will be given at the shelter to complete between them and their chosen Veterinarian within 2 hours. The services mentioned above need to be scheduled and paid for in full, and the Vet hospital staff must sign off on the contract as well. Once the contract is brought back to the shelter completed, the animal may go home with their new family. The Shelter follows up with the Vet hospital to ensure services were completed, and works closely with Animal Control of the Sheriff’s Dept to reclaim any animals that have not had their services completed.
We are equipped to intake only Cats and Dogs at our shelter.
If you find an injured wild animal, please contact NC Wildlife at 1-800-662-7137 or visit https://www.ncwildlife.org/have-a-problem or https://www.ncwildlife.org/Injured-Wildlife
Remember- wildlife is just that- WILD. They live outdoors, and it is not uncommon to see wildlife at ALL times of day. Depending on breeding seasons, temperature changes and other variables, there are many reasons you may see wildlife. Best course of action- IF YOU LEAVE IT ALONE, IT WILL LEAVE YOU ALONE! If it is destroying your property, please contact NC Wildlife to get information on the best course of action that can be taken to achieve a solution to your problem.
The Outdoor Education Staff at San-Lee park is a great tool that can be utilized. They can answer general wildlife questions and assist in navigating the NC Wildlife website. They are available Mon-Fri 8 am – 5 pm. They can be reached at 919-776-6221 -ext. 7.
Remember- wildlife is just that- WILD. They live outdoors, and it is not uncommon to see wildlife at ALL times of day. Depending on breeding seasons, temperature changes and other variables, there are many reasons you may see wildlife. Best course of action- IF YOU LEAVE IT ALONE, IT WILL LEAVE YOU ALONE! If it is destroying your property, please contact NC Wildlife to get information on the best course of action that can be taken to achieve a solution to your problem.
The Outdoor Education Staff at San-Lee park is a great tool that can be utilized. They can answer general wildlife questions and assist in navigating the NC Wildlife website. They are available Mon-Fri 8 am – 5 pm. They can be reached at 919-776-6221 -ext. 7.
There is no simple answer to this question. If it is your neighbor’s pet, please try talking to them first. Many times, the owner does not know there is an issue that needs resolved. If it continues, contacting the Lee County Sheriff Dept Animal Control unit at 919-775-5531 is your next step. If the animals are not able to be easily caught, the property owner or property manager must go TO the sheriff department at 1401 Elm St Sanford NC 27330, and request a trapping agreement to safely capture the animal(s) at large. Depending on each individual situation, the property owner may or may not be responsible to transport the animal in the trap to the Shelter.
There is not a fee for bringing a stray or a surrender to LCAS. However, LCAS staff will verify that the pet owner who is surrendering is a Lee County Resident, or that the stray animal that is being brought in was acquired in Lee County limits. Staff will conversate with the resident surrendering to ensure that they are aware of the processes of the shelter and what that can mean for their pet.
Reporting your lost pet as soon as possible is the first step in being reunited. A report can be filed with LCAS at https://leecountync.seamlessdocs.com/f/NJzrdee. Our website (leecountync.animalshelternet.com) has a stray search with photos of ALL animals that are impounded at the shelter at that moment in time. We recommend using other social media outlets/apps such as Facebook, Petfinder, or Nextdoor to list your missing pet so our surrounding communities can help locate and reunite. Also, check any surrounding counties that you may reside near, as you would be surprised how far some animals will travel.
The Lee County Animal Ordinance Section 4-49. STRAY ANIMALS (which can be found at https://leecountync.gov/Portals/0/Content/Departments/uploads/Lee%20County%20Animal%20Services%20Ordinance-updated%209-15-2017.pdf) states: “ all stray animals found shall be brought to the Animal Shelter or Animal Services shall be called to impound the animal.” If you find one, call the shelter immediately and if you can bring the animal to the shelter during their operating hours, do so. If you cannot, Animal Control can assist by calling 919-775-5531.
Yes, there is an automatic $20.00 impound fee, and it is $10.00 per day, every day thereafter. Remember, stray hold is only 72 hours. You MUST contact the shelter of your impounded pet as soon as possible. In order to reclaim your pet, you must provide proof of ownership and a Valid ID. Proof of ownership can include vet records, photographic proof, rabies certificates, adoption paperwork, etc. After reclaim, the animal must be given or have updated their rabies vaccine within 72 hours, and is required to be microchipped within 30 days. These are also part of the Lee County Animal Ordinances.
If an animal has been struck by a moving vehicle and is still alive but injured, call the Sheriff Dept Animal Control unit at 919-775-5531 immediately. We do not recommend attempting to handle any injured animal. If the animal is already deceased, that is NOT a call for Animal Control. You must call the City of Sanford if its within City Limits at 919-775-8247, and if it is in the county area call NCDOT at 919-775-3122. Any dead animals on private property are the responsibility of the property owner.
NC State law mandates that all domesticated pets aged 4 months and up are to be vaccinated against rabies. No other vaccinations are required by law, but are highly recommended to ensure the health and life of your pet.
Yes. Call 919-776-7446 to schedule an appointment to have your pet vaccinated with a 1-year rabies vaccine. We do not do 3-year certificates. All dogs MUST be on a leash, and muzzled if necessary. All cats/ferrets MUST be in a secure pet carrier. The cost is $10.00 and can be paid via cash, debit or credit card, or check. We are also required to hold one Rabies Vaccination Clinic per year, and those are advertised with a 4-week notice.
Cruelty and animal welfare investigations are conducted by the Lee County Sheriff Department Animal Control Unit.
Lee County Animal Ordinances do not encompass anything about Leash Laws, however the definition of “at large” is any animal that is not on their own property. The City of Sanford has its own animal ordinances which states that any animal on public property must be secured by means of a leash. These ordinances are enforced by Sanford Police Department and Lee County Sheriff Office.
Donations of money or goods are accepted during normal business hours at the shelter. Any donation is always appreciated and helpful. We also accept gift cards to stores that supply pet items. If you would like to make an online purchase from Amazon and have it shipped directly to the shelter, please visit our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/JPXYPELFI1KB/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_3