It is illegal to abandon an animal on the premises of Humane Society of Catawba County. Anyone caught leaving an animal at our facility may be subject to the following.

Sec. 6-102. Notification to animal services division.

(1) Any person who has knowledge of or keeps, feeds, harbors or possesses a stray or abandoned animal must notify animal services within 24 hours of having knowledge of the animal or the animal coming into his possession or control.

(2) Any person required to notify animal services under subsection (a) shall provide the following information to animal services:

a. The name, address and telephone number of the person completing the lost/found report.

b. A description of the animal, including its color, breed, sex, age and any other identifying information.

c. The location where the animal was discovered.

(3) Any person who gives away, sells or allows an otherwise stray or abandoned animal to be adopted without first surrendering said animal to the animal shelter shall have no authority over the animal and ownership shall remain with the previous owner to the extent the previous owner is able to be identified.

(4) Any person who fails to notify Catawba County Animal Services  (828) 464-7686 as specified in this section shall be guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.

A class 3 misdemeanor is punishable up to $500 and 30 days in jail.