ANIMAL SHELTER

Who We Are:
The perception of an Animal Control Officer has changed dramatically over the years. We have gotten away from the public's misconception of the "dog catcher" riding around looking for strays and picking on poor innocent dogs. The catcher stigma is gone and we are now recognized as Animal Control Officers.

Animal Control is part of a statewide organization known as the North Carolina Animal-Rabies Control Association. This association promotes a quality work environment and the professional development of its members through effective training and leadership. 

Over the past five years our department has worked hard and earned the respect from law enforcement agencies, court officials, county representatives and the general public. Professional knowledge, education and training; updated equipment, official uniforms, improved vehicles and a new facility have all contributed to a more proficient Animal Control system to help serve Rowan county citizens.

What We do:
Some of our services include handling calls for:

Possible rabid animals
Dog/cat bites
Vicious dogs
Cruelty or abandonment cases
Stray animals running loose (Dogs, Cats, Livestock)       

Our Animal Control Officers use equipment such as catch poles, cat grabbers, snake tongs, mace, and a 120,000 volt stun baton. We also will provide equipment, such as a cat trap for the public to use. A major responsibility of an Animal Control Officer is to keep the public educated about a number of important issues. These include rabies and rabies control, the leash laws in Rowan county - it's purpose and why we enforce it, information about why pets need to be spayed/neutered and the proper care of animals. We have four Animal Control Officers who cover the entire 519 square miles of Rowan county.