Animal Control
The Cary Police Department employs three civilian animal control officers. They are responsible for investigating animal cruelty cases, reports of rabid animals, and animal bites. The animal control officers also enforce the leash law and other Town ordinances regulating dogs, cats and other animals. In addition, they capture stray and lost animals, and maintain pet tag files.
Animal Control works closely with other animal service organizations such as the Wake County Animal Care, Control and Adoption Center. You can reach them by calling (919) 212-PETS (7387).
Animal Control Officers provide an important community service by appearing before school groups, senior citizen groups or other community groups to discuss animal control topics or show breeds of dogs, cats or other animals of interest.
Hours of Operation
Animal Control officers are available seven days a week.
Sunday through Saturday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Animal calls received at other hours or on holidays are handled by police officers.
If you see an animal that you believe may be rabid, call to report the location of the animal. Do not try to touch or capture the animal because it may attempt to bite you. Animals with rabies usually show some type of behavioral change. They can be aggressive and excited or depressed and lethargic. They may be uncoordinated and unfocused on the presence of humans around them.
In Cary, the most common types of wildlife which may carry the rabies virus are raccoons, foxes and bats. These animals, which normally avoid humans, are nocturnal and it is unusual for them to be active during daylight hours. If you see a raccoon, fox or bat during daylight hours and it appears to be sick or is aggressive toward other animals or humans, move to a safe location and call immediately. The law requires that your dog or cat be vaccinated against rabies.
If you are bitten by a domesticated animal, North Carolina law requires that you report it to the police department. An animal control officer will investigate, and the animal’s owner will be required to show proof of rabies vaccination. In addition, any domesticated animal that has bitten someone is required to undergo a 10 day quarantine at the owner’s home. If circumstances warrant, the animal may be quarantined at a local veterinary hospital or the Garner SPCA at the owner’s expense.
One way to prevent your animal from biting a person or another animal is to obey the leash law. The Town of Cary requires that all dogs and cats be on a leash or lead if they are not on the owner’s property. The leash law also protects animals from injury.
Pet Tags
All dogs and cats four months of age and older within the jurisdiction of the Town of Cary are required to wear a pet tag. Pet tags may be obtained for a one-time fee of $50 for animals that have not been neutered or spayed, $10 for animals that have been neutered or spayed, or $5 for animals that have been microchipped and neutered or spayed.
Download a Pet Tag Application Form (PDF Format) here.
Nuisance Animal Complaint Form
If your pet has been picked up by Animal Control, you may claim it at:
Wake County Animal Care, Control and Adoption Center
820 Beacon Lake Drive
Raleigh, NC 27610
(919) 212-PETS (7387)
Hours:
Monday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tuesday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Wednesday: *Limited
Thursday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sunday: 1-4 p.m.
If you have lost an animal, call the Animal Control office at 319-4517 and provide a description and the last known location of your animal. If you find an animal, you should report it immediately to the Animal Control division so that the owner can be located promptly. In some cases, those that find/report lost animals may hold onto them if they desire until an owner is located.
Contacts
Shelly Davis
Animal Control Supervisor
Cary Police Department
120 Wilkinson Ave
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 319-4517
shelly.davis@townofcary.org
Michele Schulz
Animal Control Officer
Cary Police Department
(919) 319-4517
michele.schulz@townofcary.org
Chuck Haggist
Animal Control Officer
Cary Police Department
(919) 319-4517
chuck.haggist@townofcary.org
