Fees & Refund Guidelines

All dogs and cats will be spayed or neutered prior to adoption.

• Dogs – $95
• Cats (under 5 years of age) – $45
• Cats (5 years of age and older) – $15
   

Long-Timers
If an adult dog or adult cat has been in care for more than two weeks, adoption fees are reduced.

• Dogs – $25
• Cats – $5
   

Adult Cats for Senior Laps

• Cats over 3 years of age adopted by individuals who are over 60 years of age – $10 adoption fee

Birds (small) – $10

Birds (large) – $50

Chickens – $5

Chinchillas – $45

Ferrets – $45

Guinea Pigs – $15

Hedgehogs – $45

Rabbits – $20

Rodents (rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils) – $10

Please note: Per North Carolina General Statute 68-20, livestock must be posted for public auction and can be seen on WCSO Public Notices. If auction is unsuccessful, the adoption fees are as follows:

• Small Farm Animals (pig, goat, sheep) – $25
• Large Farm Animals (cow, llama, alpaca) – $100
• Horses – $500
   

Individuals with official ID card proof of military service (active or inactive) will have a $10 discount applied to all adoption fees.  

• 1st Reclaim - $105
• 1st Reclaim with Proof of Spay or Neuter - $55
• 1st Reclaim with Proof of Spay or Neuter and Current Contact Information on Microchip - $30

• 2nd Reclaim - $155
• 2nd Reclaim with Proof of Spay or Neuter - $80
• 3rd Reclaim - $300
• 3rd Reclaim with Proof of Spay or Neuter - $150

Please note that Daily Care Fees will apply (see section below)

Get a 50% Refund!

To promote responsible pet ownership, Wake County will refund half of the reclaim fee (not including the daily care fee) if proof is provided that the reclaimed dog or cat was spayed or neutered within 30 days of reclaim. Veterinary records can be sent to animalcenter@wake.gov.

Little Critters – $25

Small Farm Animals (goat, pig, sheep) – $25

Large Farm Animals (cow, llama, alpaca) – $50 + transportation cost incurred

Horses – $50 + transportation cost incurred

(Please note that daily care fees will also be applied.)

A daily care fee will be applied for each day an animal is housed at the Wake County Animal Center or otherwise in-care. The pet owner will be responsible for paying the daily care fee at the time of reclaim.

• Dogs & Cats – $10 per day
• Other Small Animals (ferret, rabbit, rodent, etc.) – $6 per day
• Farm Animals/Chickens – $10 per day*

*Farm animals that need to be cared for off-site due to size or species requirements will be charged the daily care rate assessed by the off-site facility.

Fines are imposed when the Wake County Animal Control Ordinance is violated. An animal found at large is in violation of the Ordinance and may be picked up by an animal control officer. For those found running at large and, therefore, in violation of Wake County Animal Control Ordinance Section 91.07, a citation will be issued and fines charged.

1st Offense (Running at Large) – $100

2nd Offense (Running at Large) – $150

3rd and subsequent offenses (Running at Large) – $200