The Hard Decision
With the many animals brought to the resource center each year there are simply more animals than there are homes. Every single day the staff at GCAS must make the difficult decision to euthanize. Ideally GCAS would never have to euthanize an animal but sometimes it is necessary. We make sure that every animal that comes through our doors has the best possible chance at a happy life.
Animal Services Intake Policies
Guilford County Animal Services is the only county municipal shelter for Guilford County and sees a high number of intakes every year. Because of this need within our community, we offer Owner Surrendered animals intakes by appointment only to ensure we have enough space for the stray and injured animals that are most in need of our care. We ask that the animal shelter is always a last resort for rehoming your pet and encourage all owners to review our Owner Surrender Resource Information on ways you can self-rehome your pet or find resources you may be in need of.
We are sorry to hear you need to rehome your pet. We want you to know we are here for you during this difficult time. If you are facing a situation where you are unable to keep your pet, you have options available to you and may not have to rehome your pet or may be able to rehome your pet yourself. Guilford County Animal Services is here to help in any way we can, please see the information below or contact us at 336-641-3400 to speak to our staff members about your situation to see if there are other resources or options available for you.
The resources listed below are third party resources and are not resources provided by Guilford County or Guilford County Animal Services. Guilford County and Guilford County Animal Services are in no way liable or responsible for any damages, incidents, or situations that may occur through use of the following resources.
Self-Rehoming Your Pet
Did you know that there are many resources that can help you rehome your pet yourself? Surrendering a pet to the animal shelter should be your last resort. Self-rehoming your pet is less stressful for the pet and you! By self-rehoming your pet, you'll have full control of your pet's outcome and the home they end up in. Please read on below or reach out to us at 336-641-3400 with questions.
Self-Rehoming Resources
https://www.petfinder.com/adopt-or-get-involved/adopting-pets/rehoming/
https://www.petfinder.com/adopt-or-get-involved/adopting-pets/rehoming/how-to-rehome-your-dog/
Adopt A Pet Rehoming Service - https://rehome.adoptapet.com/
Home to Home Rehoming Service - https://home-home.org/
Rehomeyourpets.com Rehoming Service - https://rehomeyourpets.com/
Nextdoor - https://nextdoor.com/
Friends and Family - Word of Mouth!
Search “Pet Rehoming Your Area Here” in a search engine for additional pet rehoming options.
Rehoming Facebook Groups
Rehoming Pets of NC Facebook Group -
https://www.facebook.com/groups/242719917585791
NC Pet Rehoming and Adoption Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/393843046218514/
Rehoming Pets of North Carolina and Surrounding States Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/843519806240948
Dogs Available for Rehoming and Rescue North Carolina Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/466844224909979
Pet's Needing Rehomed or Fostered North Carolina Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/420067736791511
Search “Pet Rehoming Your Area Here” in a search engine for additional pet rehoming options.
Veterinary Assistance Options
While we cannot provide veterinary care here at Guilford County Animal Services to owned animals, we do have a list of local and national resources for veterinary assistance.
Dylan’s Hearts is a non-profit organization (501c3) that helps families struggling financially fund their animal's veterinary expenses. https://www.dylanshearts.com/
The Sergei Foundation, Inc. is a North Carolina non-profit organization (501c3) that provides veterinary financial aid to those families who cannot afford emergency care when there’s no place else to turn; because you can’t turn your head when they’re family. https://sergeifoundation.org/
The Pet Fund is a national non-profit organization (501c3) that provides veterinary financial aid to pet owners in need in order to keep pets out of shelters and with their owners. https://www.thepetfund.com/
Care Credit is a line of credit accepted by many veterinarians in the Triad. https://www.carecredit.com/
Scratchpay is a one-time loan for veterinary care with a very high approval rating. https://scratchpay.com/
Consider setting up a fundraising page for your animal using an online donation service. Some examples of these online organizations are: www.gofundme.com. www.crowdrise.com, www.giveforward.com or www.waggle.org
Search “Veterinary Assistance Your Area Here” in a search engine for veterinary assistant options.
Low-Cost Wellness Veterinary Options
Humane Society of the Piedmont
4527 W. Wendover Ave.
Greensboro, NC 27409
336-299-3060
Sheets Pet Clinic
809 Chimney Rock Ct.
Greensboro, NC 27409
(336) 852-8488
Piedmont Community Wellness Clinic
1910 N. Church St.
Greensboro, NC 27405
(336) 333-5336
Search “Low Cost Veterinary Care Your Area Here” in a search engine for additional low cost veterinary options.
Training Assistance Options
We unfortunately cannot recommend any trainers, but you can search for trainers in your area by going to a search engine and entering in “Dog Training Your Area Here.”
We do recommend checking all trainers’ credentials, references, and meeting with them before choosing a trainer. There is no standardized testing, certifications or regulations to dog trainers currently. Please find more information on how to choose a dog trainer or animal behaviorist at https://www.ccpdt.org/dog-owners/how-to-choose-a-dog-trainer/
We intake over 7,000 animals each year at Guilford County Animal Services. We will receive animals from Guilford County Animal Control, High Point Animal Control, Greensboro Police Department, and residences of Guilford County. We are unable to accept animals from other counties, and it may be necessary for you to provide proof of Guilford County residency when bringing animals to the shelter.
All stray or found animals are held for 72 hours. After the 72-hour waiting period, they become the property of Guilford County Animal Services.
If an animal is surrendered to the Guilford County Animal Shelter by its owner, that pet may immediately become the property of Guilford County Animal Services. Furthermore, if a resident cares for an animal for more than seven (7) days it is considered an “owned” animal and the owner must follow the procedure for an “owner surrender” outlined below.
Once the animal becomes the property of Guilford County Animal Services it is at the discretion of the resource center to do what is in the best interest of the animal and community. Outcomes may include adoption, transfer to one of our partner organizations, or humane euthanasia. We do everything we can to put each animal into adoption but may not if the animal has temperament issues or illnesses that we cannot treat.
Free and Assisted Services
Surrendering Your Pet
In order to better serve the needs of our community and ensure we have room here at the shelter, you must make an appointment to surrender your pet to the shelter.
We know that making the decision to surrender your pet is a difficult one. The staff at Guilford County Animal Services would like to assist you if you are having any issues with your pet. There are resources and options for you other than placing your animal into the resource center and we should be your last resort as we receive a high volume of animals every day.
You must be a Guilford County resident with proof of residency in order to surrender a pet. You must also have a valid government-issued ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Please bring proof of pet ownership and residency to the appointment. Types of proof of ownership include vet records, rabies certificates and microchips.
To sign up for an owner surrender appointment, please fill out the Owner Surrender Application below. Once submitted a Guilford County Animal Services Staff member will be in contact with you as soon as possible to discuss setting up an appointment. If you have any questions, call 336-641-3400.
Please note: Due to the high volume of requests we receive for owner surrender appointments and available space here at Guilford County Animal Services we cannot guarantee an owner surrender appointment will be made or kept. Owner surrender appointments are made and kept only as space allows here at the shelter. Please see our Owner Surrender Resources for more information on other options to help you re-home your pet as that may be the faster option to find your pet a new home.