About Animal Services
The Animal Services Department is responsible for the control of dangerous dogs, rabies, operation of animal shelter and protection of animals from illegal treatment.
Animal Services collect lost and straying animals, provide a central location for owners to find their lost pet, adopt a new pet and a place where a pet can find a new home. The Animal Shelter is also a place for volunteers, field trips for schools and works alongside many vocational services and animal rescues.
What We Do
Basic Animal Services includes reports and investigations of the following:
Animal Nuisances:
- Leash Law violations
- Unsanitary animal areas
- Property destruction
Dangerous Dogs:
- Biting dogs
- Dogs injuring other animals
- Dogs aggressively approaching people
Animal Protection:
- Adequate food, water, and shelter
- Essential medical attention
- Animal assault & injury
- Needless killing
Animal Services also provides:
- Low-cost rabies vaccinations
- Pet Adoption
- Lost and Found pet list
- General animal related information
Animal Services provide protection to people and animals and enrichment opportunities for the community.
ADOPT A PET
Adoption Fee – Cat $90.00
Adoption Fee – Dog $100.00
Rabies Vaccination Fee (1YR) $10.00
Impound Fee $20.00
Boarding Fee/Day $25.00
TNR $25.00
Medical Services Fee $5.00
Feral Cat Catch and Release Fee $50.00
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Is there a leash law in Transylvania County?
Answer:
Yes. Leash laws are effective in the City of Brevard and throughout Transylvania County.
Animal owners must contain their animals on their own property and when off the property it must be restrained and controlled by a physical tether, or “leash.” Livestock are no exception and must remain on the owner’s property and physically controlled when off the property.
Fines for nuisance, or leash violations begin at $50 and graduate to $500 for repeat offenders.
Q. How do I report an animal problem?
Answer:
Animal Services will receive reports regarding any kind of animal problem or question. Call the Animal Services office if you feel you have an animal related problem. If Animal Services cannot assist, they will know who to refer you too.
Q. How can I contact or visit the Animal Services Department and the Animal Shelter?
Answer:
Animal Services and the Animal Shelter is located at 1124 Old Rosman Highway, approximately 6 miles west of the City of Brevard off Highway 64.
The Animal Shelter is open Tues. through Fri. from 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. You may call Animal Services anytime and leave a message or call 911 if you feel you have an emergency.
For more information, you can download an informational brochure about Animal Services here.
Q. What is an emergency?
Answer:
Animal Services responds to emergency calls only after business hours. An emergency would include the following circumstances:
- Animal bite to person
- Severely injured animal
- Aggressive animals presenting an immediate physical threat.
Q. How can I contact an Animal Services Officer?
Answer:
Animal Service Officers can be contacted by calling the animal shelter or 911 if you feel you have an emergency.
Animal Services officers respond to routine animal-related reports throughout the week and to emergencies only after hours and on Sunday, holidays, and inclement weather conditions by calling 828-884-3188 or 911.
Q. How do I report animal cruelty?
Answer:
Report suspected cases of animal neglect or cruelty to Animal Services. Animal Services will accept anonymous calls regarding animal neglect and cruelty. Your name is not recorded in the report.
Q. What is a Dangerous Dog?
Answer:
A Dangerous dog is one that has demonstrated one or more of the following:
- Off of the owner’s property
- Inflicted a bite that requires hospitalization
- Inflicted severe injury or killed other animals
- Approached a person in an apparent attitude of attack
Fines for violation of Dangerous Dog regulations begin at $500 and may involve criminal charges. Keeping your dog on your property, neutered, socialized and under control avoids most Dangerous Dog problems. If you think a dog in your community might be a dangerous dog, call Animal Services for more information.
Q. What is Rabies?
Answer:
Rabies is a fatal virus that affects both man and some animals. Unvaccinated dogs and cats are infected by wild, rabid animals and in turn, can infect a person. Vaccinating pets is the most effective and easiest way to protect you and your pets from infection. One year rabies vaccinations are available at the Animal Shelter for $10.
For more information, you can download an informational brochure about Rabies here.
Q. What are the requirements for rabies vaccinations in North Carolina?
Answer:
State law (NC General Statute § 130A-185) requires that the owner of a domestic dog, cat, or ferret must have the animal vaccinated against rabies once it is over 4 months old and must maintain current rabies vaccination status throughout the animal’s life.
Key points:
- Rabies vaccination is legally required for these animals — no exemptions are recognized in state law.
- The owner should keep the original vaccination certificate as proof of compliance.
- If an animal bites a person or is exposed to rabies, quarantine and response procedures are influenced by vaccination status (local animal services can provide details).
- Transylvania County Animal Services offers 1 year rabies vaccines for $10 anytime we are open to the public, no appointment is necessary
Q. What kind of animals does the Animal Shelter take care of?
Answer:
State and local laws protect many species of animals besides dogs and cats. If you have a problem or need help for any animal, call Animal Services.
Q. How do I adopt a pet?
Answer:
The animal shelter receives dogs, cats, and other animals daily who need a home. You can visit the animal shelter and visit the animals. Adoption fees for cats are $90, for dogs $110 and includes vaccinations, spaying and neutering, and testing for common diseases. Prices for other animals are variable.
For more information, you can download an informational brochure about Pet Adoption here.
Q. How does the adoption process work?
Answer:
After the mandated holding period expires and the animal has not been reclaimed by its owner, the shelter may:
- place the animal up for adoption under established adoption procedures,
- return it to its owner (if located during the holding period), or
- in some cases, humanely euthanize if the animal is unadoptable due to health or behavioral issues.
Q. Does my animal shelter euthanize animals?
Answer:
All animal shelters must address euthanasia on a regular basis. Most animals that must be euthanized in the animal shelter are extremely sick, injured or not safe for adoption. You can reduce the numbers of animals in shelters by spaying, neutering, socializing with your pets and obeying leash laws.
Q. How do I surrender my pet to Animal Services?
Answer:
To surrender a pet, you must contact Animal Services at 828-883-3713 opt.1 to schedule an intake appointment. We understand that things happen and sometimes owners need to make tough decisions quickly, should that be a situation you are experiencing please call TCAS and speak with the staff. Please note that the Animal Shelter is state regulated for capacity and to prevent needless euthanasia making an appointment to surrender gives both that pet and the pets at the shelter the greatest chance for adoption.
- We do require that you be a resident of Transylvania County with a valid State Issued ID.
- Proof of ownership( ex. vet records, pictures of the animal(s) with the owner, microchip information, Rabies vaccination certificate).
- Signed written consent from the owner to surrender to TCAS, and a written statement that the animal has not bitten anyone within 10 days preceding the date of surrender. N.C. § 19A-32.1(g,h).
Q. How long must Animal Services hold a stray animal before adoption or disposition?
Answer:
Under North Carolina General Statutes § 19A-32.1, stray animals received by a shelter must be held for at least 72 hours before euthanasia or disposition, unless a local ordinance specifies a longer period.
Exceptions may apply if an animal:
- is seriously ill or injured (shelter manager documents this in writing), or
- must be held as evidence in a criminal case.
Q. What are the reclaim (redeem) requirements and timeframes for lost pets?
Answer:
If your lost animal is taken to a shelter, NC law requires shelters to provide an opportunity for owners to reclaim their pets during the minimum holding period (72 hours).
When reclaiming your pet:
- You will be required to show proof of ownership (e.g., microchip registration, vet records, Rabies Vaccination Certificate).
- You may need to pay fees including boarding, vaccination updates, and other shelter costs.
- Once the holding period has passed (and you have not reclaimed the animal), the animal will become the property of the shelter for adoption or another disposition.
Q. Are there laws against abandoning animals?
Answer:
Yes — under NC law, abandoning an animal without a justified reason is illegal and considered abandonment, a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Abandonment includes leaving an animal without ensuring proper care and custody or failing to deliver it to a shelter or animal control.
Q. What if an animal is sick, injured, or has behavior issues?
Answer:
Shelters may assess animals upon intake. Animals deemed unadoptable due to severe illness, injury, or temperament may be humanely euthanized following internal evaluation during or after the holding period.
Adoption agencies may also require additional vet records, tests, or care plans before finalizing adoption.
Q. What laws govern how shelters and animal services operate?
Answer:
The North Carolina Animal Protection Act and related statutes (Chapter 19A, Article 3) govern:
- how shelters operate,
- definitions and humane care standards at an animal shelter, and
- procedures for shelter licensing/registration and animal handling.
Additionally, criminal laws (e.g., cruelty and abandonment statutes) apply if animals are mistreated or illegally abandoned.
Donations to Animal Services are used for the care of the animals.
Thank you for your kind donation!
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