Animal Adoption

It is very important that your new pet is brought into an environment where both you and the pet can enjoy one another. Here is a list of a few things you should consider before adopting a new pet:

• If you have family members such as small children or disabled elderly persons living within your house, you may want to consider selecting a pet suitable for those age ranges. Will the new pet be able to safely cohabitate with all family members? Will the new pet be able to cohabitate with pets you may already own?
• Does your lease and/or rental agreement allow pets? There may be additional stipulations or costs; be sure to check all regulations prior to adopting a pet.
• Are you aware of the local animal control laws? Some areas have stricter laws and ordinances. Please become familiar with the local laws and ordinances; not all areas have the same standard laws. 
• Pets sometimes cause allergies. These allergies may be harmful to you or members of your family. If so, how will you handle this?
• Inevitably, pet ownership and the responsibilities that come along with it causes changes in your lifestyle. Have you taken these potential changes into consideration? Will you and your family be able to make the adjustments?
• All pets require time and attention, but some require more than others. Be sure to select an animal that fits your schedule and daily routine. Be aware of the time needed to care for a pet. If you have little time to offer you may wish to adopt an older pet. Some older pets are more suitable, calmer and already housebroken.
• Pet ownership comes with a financial price tag. Have you taken into consideration the additional costs associated with owning a pet? Do you have supplies for a pet? Can you make a financial commitment to a new pet for the next 10–20 years? Are you willing to make an emotional commitment to a new pet?
• Do you have a veterinarian? If not, you will need to choose one to provide future medical care. Please refer to the Animal Shelter home pages to obtain information on local animal hospitals. If you have other pets at home, it is important for them to be current on all their vaccinations. These will help protect them against any illness your new pet may have that was not apparent at the time of adoption.

All animals will be vaccinated prior to being adopted from the Sampson County Animal Shelter. Also, pursuant to the Sampson County Animal Control Ordinance, all adopted animals must be spayed or neutered prior to their release. The cost of initial vaccinations received while at the Animal Shelter and a voucher for spay or neuter (which is redeemed at Veterinary Medical Clinic located at 804 Southeast Blvd. in Clinton) are covered in the adoption fee. The cost of adoption for any cat includes all initial vaccinations and the cat will be spayed or neutered at the Animal Shelter before being released to the owner. Below are the associated costs:

No matter how careful the shelter is in attempting to match the right pet with the right family, there will be occasions where animals will be returned to the shelter. Adoption fees are non-refundable. Only the Department Head can override this policy.

Please send an email to aellis@sampsonnc.comto request a Placement Partner Packet. We will forward you the necessary information and paperwork to partner with SCAS. Once your application is approved, you may pull from SCAS at no cost. Please do not let just anyone pull for your rescue. YOU are responsible for the animals that are pulled by the persons you authorized to pull. Your rescue and reputation are at stake, please protect them!

You may adopt an animal just like an individual. However, you are not required to purchase a spay/neuter voucher as it is only good at our local vet. If you are adopting an adult animal you will have 30 days to get your animal sterilized at your cost and provided proof of surgery to SCAS. If your animal is younger, that time will be adjusted based on the age of the animal.

How do I adopt/rescue an animal if I am out of area or State?

The best way to contact SCAS is by email at animalshelter@sampsonnc.com or aellis@sampsonnc.com. You can request a 48-hour hold for the animal you are interested in to allow time to set up vetting, transport, etc.  Put the name and/or ID # of the animal in the subject line. Please include your full name, complete address, and phone number(s) in the first email that you send us for easy reference. If you know when and how the animal will be leaving, please include this information.  (Multiple emails, faxes and voicemails are not necessary.)

If you are not local to SCAS, most local rescue agencies have volunteers who can transport animals to local vets for vetting and quarantine. If transport is needed, contact us and we will put you in contact with the local rescue agencies. Once you have received confirmation that your desired animal is available, you’ll need to contact one of the local vets to set up an account with them. Once we have verification of this, you will be responsible to arrange transport to the vet you've chosen. Health certificates are required by law for Out-of-State travel and are only obtainable by your chosen vet. Here is a list of local to semi-local vets that can help you obtain the necessary Health Certificate for your new pet to travel Out-of-State: