Application- The first step in adopting from the Dare County Animal Shelter is filling out an application, which gives us important information about you and where you live.
We like for all potential parents of our animals to come in and spend some time with the one of their choosing. Once you have chosen a particular pet, we need you to fill out an application.
We verify that you own your home and if you rent we verify that the landlord (landlady) approves of pets being in the home. We then do a background check to see that all currently owned animals are current on vaccinations and licenses, this can take from 1 to 3 business days.
We then will contact you to let you know. You will then need to come in to sign the contract and pay all fees that pertain to that particular animal.

Visiting the veterinarian- All pets adopted are bathed, dipped, wormed and given distemper shots at the shelter. Within seven (7) days from adopting your new pet, it must go to the veterinarian for a physical exam. The physical examination is free, and will help establish a relationship with your veterinarian and ensure your new pet is healthy. If the veterinarian recommends any shots, treatment or worming, he or she will discuss them and their cost before proceeding. State law requires that all dogs and cats 4 months and older be vaccinated against rabies. Animals that are not currently up to date on their rabies shots must be vaccinated by a veterinarian. Adopters pay a low-cost fee of $5.00 directly to the veterinarian for the rabies shot. The free physical exam will be performed on all adopted animals delivered to the veterinarian by the shelter staff, prior to surgery.

Spaying & Neutering- Because of the tremendous pet over population problem, the adoption contract requires every pet adopted from the shelter be spayed or neutered. If your pet is more than 4 months old, shelter staff will deliver it to the veterinarian you choose, and you will need to pick it up after surgery. If your pet is younger than four months, the staff will make an appointment, but it is your responsible to keep it. Failure to spay or neuter will result in repossession of the pet.

Signing the adoption contract- After adoption application is approved a time is scheduled for you to come back to the shelter to sign the adoption contract, pay the fees, and make arrangements to pick up the pet. You must agree to the terms of the legal binding adoption contract and sigh that you will abide by all of them. If you have questions about the terms of this contract, please ask.

Picking up your pet- Be sure to bring a properly ventilated carrier if you’re adopting a cat, small dog, kitten, or puppy. If you’re adopting a larger dog, bring a collar and a leash. (You'll need those for exercising any size of dog.) Pet supplies are easy to find, but you can support the Outer Banks SPCA by purchasing them at the shelter.

OBXSPCA Adoption Fees

It's a matter of simple economics-you just won't find a better deal for your next pet when you adopt from a shelter!

Dogs $80.00 Included Spay/Neuter Rabies Shot Dog License DHLPP/Bortella Screened for heartworms

Cats $65.00 Included Spay/Neuter Rabies Shot FVRCP Intra-Nasel Distemper FeloVax

After You Adopt

There is no mistaking the fact that providing the veterinary care your pet needs can add up-quickly.
Too many times, a pet owner has been forced to make a difficult decision about thier pet's health becasue the care required was more than they could afford.
The Outer Banks SPCA wants you and your pet to enjoy a long, happy life together and we also want you to be protected from vet bills that will break your budget.

Please consider signing up for the ShelterCare Pet Insurance program after you adopt from our shelter.
When you sign up, you will receive a special discount that is only offered to new adoptive pet owners and make sure to sign up through the link on our website.
For every completed application, the Outer Banks SPCA will receive a $25.00 donation.
These funds can help us purchase food and bedding as well as any other needs we may have.

Please consider this carefully and remember, this is a limited-time offer and must be redeemed within 30 days after you adopt, so Sign-Up Today!

We have chosen Kuranda dog beds for our boarding facilities because they are so good for our dogs. We still don't have enough for all of our kennels. If you would like to donate a bed so another dog can sleep in proper comfort, please click here.

OBXSPCA Location & Hours of Operation

After Hours & Emergencies

The Dare County Animal Shelter provides care of stray and unwanted animals, cruelty investigation, injured animal rescue, euthanasia of sick, injured and unplaceable animals, response to animal-nuisance complaints, response to animal bites, rabies control, and humane education.
If you have an animal-related problem after our normal business hours, please call: