North Carolina State-Level Animal Protection and Legal Resources

North Carolina animal protection begins with state law, but most enforcement happens locally through animal control, sheriff’s offices, police departments, and county or city agencies. This page is designed to help residents know where to look, who to call, and how to report concerns when an animal may be neglected, abused, loose, dangerous, abandoned, or in need of official help.

At the state level, North Carolina’s animal cruelty laws are found in Chapter 14, Article 47 of the North Carolina General Statutes. These laws cover cruelty, abandonment, malicious injury, poisoning, and animal fighting. Dog fighting is specifically treated as a serious felony offense, including owning, training, possessing, or spectating at a dog-fighting exhibition.

North Carolina also has a civil animal protection law under Chapter 19A, which allows legal action to protect animals from cruelty or inhumane treatment in addition to criminal enforcement.

For licensed animal facilities, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Animal Welfare Section oversees animal shelters, boarding kennels, pet shops, and public animal auctions. This is the right state-level contact for complaints about licensed boarding facilities, pet shops, shelters, and similar regulated animal businesses. Phone: 919-707-3280. Email: agr.aws@ncagr.gov.

For suspected animal cruelty, the state also provides the NC Department of Justice Animal Welfare Hotline. Phone: 1-855-290-6915. The DOJ explains that cruelty toward animals is illegal in North Carolina and that the hotline was created to receive complaints about possible mistreatment.

Rabies rules are also statewide. In North Carolina, dogs, cats, and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age and kept current under state law.

For dangerous dogs, North Carolina law defines them and requires owners to take precautions, including secure confinement and restraint when the dog is off the owner’s property.

For wildlife concerns, injured wildlife, nuisance wildlife, or questions about rehabilitators, use the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Wildlife Helpline. Phone: 866-318-2401. Email: HWI@ncwildlife.gov.

A key point for pet owners: North Carolina does not appear to set a statewide limit on the number of pets a household may have. Pet-number limits are usually handled by local city or county ordinances, zoning rules, nuisance rules, kennel rules, or animal welfare enforcement. That means a resident should check both the county rules and the city or town rules where they live.

Forsyth County and Winston-Salem Area

Forsyth County Animal Services handles animal-related enforcement and services for the county. Forsyth County lists Animal Services at 336-917-7750.

The Forsyth County Animal Shelter can also be contacted for shelter-related needs. The City of Winston-Salem page for the Piedmont Emergency Animal Response Team lists the Forsyth County Animal Shelter at 5570 Sturmer Park Cir., Winston-Salem, NC 27105, with administrative offices reachable at 336-703-2480.

Forsyth County’s animal regulations include rabies vaccination requirements for dogs, cats, and ferrets, and explain that dogs must wear a rabies tag, while cats and ferrets are not required to wear the tag, but owners must have written proof of vaccination.

Forsyth County also notes that Winston-Salem and some incorporated towns have separate local leash laws. Within Winston-Salem city limits, dogs must be contained to the owner’s property by a fence or other device, and dogs must be leashed in public parks unless inside a legal dog park.

For city code concerns in Winston-Salem involving nuisance conditions, unsafe animal-related property conditions, loose chickens, unsanitary animal conditions, or neighborhood code issues, residents can contact CityLink 311. Phone: 336-727-8000, or 311 within city limits.

Guilford County, Greensboro, Jamestown, and High Point

Guilford County Animal Services is one of the main animal-control authorities in the Triad. For general Animal Services questions, Guilford County lists 336-641-3400.

For Animal Control emergencies, questions, or comments, Guilford County lists 336-641-5990. Guilford County Animal Control enforces state laws and county ordinances related to animal control, animal cruelty, and abuse in rural Guilford County, Greensboro, and Jamestown.

Guilford County’s code includes animal ordinances covering duties of animal control, rabies control, nuisance animals, tethering, restraint, wild animals, exotic animals, spay/neuter requirements, and penalties.

For Greensboro residents, the city directs pet licensing and animal-control questions to Guilford County Animal Control at 336-641-5990.

For Greensboro code or nuisance complaints, the city lists Code Compliance at 336-373-2111. Greensboro also uses 336-373-CITY / 336-373-2489 for city service requests, including dead animal pickup and environmental issues.

For High Point, the city has its own Animal Control information page. It notes that bite and rabies concerns are handled under North Carolina law, including the requirement to confine after a dog, cat, or ferret bite.

High Point’s general city service phone is 336-883-3111, which is also used for services such as dead-animal pickup for household pets weighing less than 100 pounds.

Davidson County

Davidson County Animal Control handles complaints involving domestic and wild animals. To report a complaint, call 336-249-0131. In the event of possible rabies exposure, Davidson County directs residents to call the Health Department at 336-242-2310.

What to Report and Where to Start

If an animal is being actively harmed, is in immediate danger, or a person is at risk, call 911.

For animal cruelty, neglect, abandonment, or abuse, start locally with your county animal control, sheriff’s office, or police department. You may also report possible cruelty to the NC DOJ Animal Welfare Hotline at 1-855-290-6915.

For complaints about a licensed boarding kennel, shelter, pet shop, or public animal auction, contact the NCDA&CS Animal Welfare Section at 919-707-3280 or agr.aws@ncagr.gov.

For loose animals, barking/nuisance complaints, tethering concerns, possible neglect, bites, dangerous dogs, or local pet-number questions, contact the county or city animal control office where the animal is located.

For injured wildlife, orphaned wildlife, nuisance wildlife, or wildlife rehabilitator questions, contact the NC Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401 or HWI@ncwildlife.gov.

Important Note About Pet Limits

Many people ask, “How many pets can I legally have?” The answer depends on where you live. North Carolina state law addresses cruelty, rabies, dangerous dogs, animal welfare, and animal fighting, but household pet-number limits are usually set by local governments. Some towns and cities set specific limits, while others regulate through nuisance rules, kennel definitions, zoning, sanitation, noise, tethering, or public-health requirements. Always check both your county animal ordinance and your city or town code before assuming a number is allowed.

Suggested Contact Ladder

Start with the most local level first unless there is immediate danger.

For an urgent danger to people or animals: 911.

For cruelty, neglect, loose animals, dangerous dogs, bite reports, or nuisance animals: local animal control, sheriff, or police.

For licensed animal businesses: NCDA&CS Animal Welfare Section — 919-707-3280 / agr.aws@ncagr.gov.

For statewide cruelty reporting support: NC DOJ Animal Welfare Hotline — 1-855-290-6915.

For wildlife: NC Wildlife Helpline — 866-318-2401 / HWI@ncwildlife.gov.

For better services, city improvements, code concerns, or local policy concerns: contact your city council, county commissioners, city code enforcement office, or county animal services department.