Animal Services

Animal Services is responsible for operating the McDowell County Animal Shelter. The Shelter accepts stray animals and serves as an adoption center for those that are adoptable.

Adoption rates are $65 for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens and includes a mandatory spaying or neutering, rabies vaccination and medical examination by one of the County’s participating veterinarians.

The purpose of the Animal Shelter adoption policy is to reduce the general health risk to the public associated with stray, vicious and potentially rabid animals, to inhibit animal reproduction which further contributes to animal overpopulation in the County and to reduce the number of animals that the County must destroy on a regular basis because of a lack of suitable homes and the presence of diseases.

Donations can be made to the Animal Shelter through PayPal.  Click here to make a donation.

McDowell County has prepared a guide for the proper sheltering and tethering of dogs. Click on the links below to learn more.

Guide for Proper Housing of Dogs

Guide for Proper Tethering of Dogs