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Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns that you may have at (828) 757-8625

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- Caldwell County Government
- Caldwell County Health Department
- Petfinder
- Pets 911

Adoption Rules

  1. Animals are primarily adopted as household pets and companions and only secondarily as watch dogs, mousers and for other utilitarian purposes. No dog is adopted only for the purpose of becoming or being used as guard dogs or attack dogs.
  2. Only domestic animals are routinely placed for adoption.
  3. Only temperamentally sound dogs and cats, that are not known to have exhibited aggressive tendencies or other serious behavioral problems, will be placed for adoption.
  4. Only animals that appear healthy and have no known medical problems will be placed for adoption.
  5. All dogs over six months old must be tested by the Caldwell County Animal Control Canine Behavior Evaluation before being placed for adoption. If the dog does not pass this evaluation it will not be placed for adoption.
  6. All dogs and cats must be surgically spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian within the time limits specified by the Caldwell County Animal Control Adoption Agreement.
  7. No live animals shall be adopted, sold, released or otherwise given away for research, experimental or laboratory use.
  8. No puppies or kittens under the age of six weeks will be adopted (except under special circumstances). Puppies and kittens should be at least four months of age before being placed in a home where there are children under the age of six.
  9. No animals will be adopted to a person with a known history of cruelty convictions, repeated animal control violations, and/or previous violations of adoption agreements.
  10. All adopters must be eighteen years of age or older and present a drivers license or ID card at the time of adoption.
  11. No animals will be adopted to a person living in rental property, including mobile home parks, without the explicit authorization of the manager or landlord.
  12. No animal can be adopted as a gift for another person without the recipient’s participation in the adoption process.
  13. No animals will be adopted that have been involved in a previous incident where injury has occurred to a human.
  14. If the adopted animal becomes ill or is diagnosed with an illness within fourteen days after adoption it will be replaced at no charge if the animal has been to the vet within the five day period for a health exam as required in the adoption agreement.
  15. All household members are encouraged to participate in the adoption process. All household members must be informed of, and consent to, the adoption of the new pet.
  16. Animals are adopted on a first come first serve basis. In the event that two or more people are requesting to adopt an animal at the same time a secret bid will be given to the Animal Control Director in a sealed envelope. The highest bidder (over $65.00) will be allowed to adopt the animal. The amount paid above the adoption fee of $65.00 will be used as a donation to the Animal Shelter.
  17. The adoption process is a cooperative effort between Caldwell County Animal Control and the adopting public. We reserve the right to deny an adoption if the prospective adopter:
    1. displays erratic or disoriented behavior, incoherent or slurred speech or otherwise gives the appearance of being under the influence of an intoxicant, or
    2. demonstrates rude, threatening, aggressive or violent behavior toward people or animals, or creates reasonable doubt as to the ability or desire to comply with the adoption agreement, or
    3. is belligerent, argumentative or voices opposition to Caldwell County Animal Control’s policies and thereby creates reasonable doubt as to the ability or desire to comply with the adoption agreement, or
    4. falsifies application information for purposes of subverting policy, or
    5. is evasive about where the animal will live, or
    6. cannot provide confirmation of current name and address, or
    7. offers an unsafe/unhealthy environment for an animal.
Any person who agrees to abide by these policies and the Caldwell County Animal Control Pet Adoption Agreement may adopt an animal from Caldwell County Animal Control. Notwithstanding this section, Caldwell County Animal Control reserves the right to refuse to adopt an animal to any person.