Local Animal Rescues and Shelters
These rescues and shelters are primarily for dogs and cats.
Bladen County
Bladen County Animal Shelter
Location: Elizabethtown, NC
Phone: 910.876.0539 or 910.862.6918
Email: bladenpets@yahoo.com
Website: bladennc.govoffice3.com
A Shelter Friend
Location: Elizabethtown, NC
Phone: 910.876.0539
Email: asf@intrstar.net
Website: ashelterfriend.org
Brunswick County
Brunswick County Animal Protective Services
Location: Supply, NC
Phone: 910.754.8204
Email: animalservices@brunsco.net
Website: aps.brunswicksheriff.com
Cat Tails
Location: Ocean Isle Beach, NC
Phone: 910.575.4529 or 910.235.1375
Email: cattails@atmc.net
Website: cattails.org
Furever Friends Animal Rescue
Location: Leland, NC
Phone: 910.383.2100
Email: slsfureverfriends@gmail.com
Website: www.fureverfriendsnc.com
Paws Place
Location: Winnabow, NC
Phone: 910.845.7297
Email: info@pawsplace.org
Website: www.pawsplace.org
R.A.C.E. - Rescue Animals Community Effort
Location: Shallotte, NC
Phone: 910.579.0407
Email: racerescue@atmc.net
Website: raceshelter.org
S.O.A.R. - Southport-Oak Island Animal Rescue
Location: Southport, NC
Phone: 910.457.6340
Email: director.soar@gmail.com
Website: soar-nc.org
Paws Ability
Location: Ocean Isle Beach, NC
Phone: 910.269.6885
Email: info@paws-ability.org
Website: paws-ability.org
Fix A Friend
Location: Winnabow, NC
Phone: 910.253.8161
Email: fixafriendsnclinic@gmail.com
Website: fixafriendclinic.org
Columbus County
Cape Fear Rescue League
Location: Whiteville, NC serving both Columbus & New Hanover Counties
Phone: 910.207.2071
Email: lambertpat54@yahoo.com
Website: Facebook - CFRL
Columbus County Animal Shelter
Location: Whiteville, NC
Phone: 910.641.3945
Columbus Humane Society
Location: Whiteville, NC
Phone: 910.640.3700
Website: columbushumanesociety.org
The Unforgotten Souls
Location: Sunset Beach, NC
Phone: 919.744.0100
Email: theunforgottensouls@gmail.com
Website: www.theunforgottensouls.com
New Hanover County
Adopt-An-ANGEL
Location: Wilmington, NC
Phone: 910.392.0557
Email: adopt@adoptanangel.net
Website: www.adoptanangel.net
All 4 Cats, Inc.
Location: Wilmington, NC
Phone: 910.707.4372
Email: info@all4cats.org
Website: www.all4cats.org
Canines for Service
Location: Wilmington, NC
Phone: 910.362.8181
Email: information@caninesforservice.org
Website: www.caninesforservice.org
Cape Fear Rescue League
Location: Whiteville, NC serving both Columbus & New Hanover Counties
Phone: 910.207.2071
Email: lambertpat54@yahoo.com
Website: www.facebook.com/capefearrl
C.A.R.E - Coastal Animal Rescue Effort
Location: Wilmington, NC
Phone: 910.256.2624
Email: care@aahpcr.com
Website: www.carewilmington.org
Cat Adoption Team
Location: Wilmington, NC
Phone: 910.792.9014
Email: cat@earthlink.com
Website: Facebook - Cat Adoption Team
Coastal Carolina Saint Bernard Rescue
Location: Wilmington, NC
Email: ccsbr28405@gmail.com
Website: https://ccsbr.rescueme.org
Dauntless Dog Rescue of NC
Location: Wilmington, NC
Phone: 910.685.4627
Email: ddrncadopt@gmail.com
Website: http://ddrnc.org
Feline Matchmakers, Inc.
Location: Wilmington, NC
Phone: 505.204.1266
Email: felinematchmakers@hotmail.com
Website: https://felinematchmakers.org
Freedom Bridge Animal Rescue
Location: Wilmington, NC (multi-state with location locally)
Fresh Start Rescue, Inc.
Location: Wilmington, NC
Phone: 910.470.6299
Email: freshstartrescueinc@gmail.com
Website: https://www.freshstartrescueinc.org
Friends of Felines
Location: Wilmington, NC
Phone: 910.452.6721
Email: friendsofelines@aol.com
Website: www.friendsofelines.org
New Hanover County Sheriff Animal Services Unit
Location: Wilmington, NC
Phone: 910.798.7500
Email: animalservices@nhcgov.com
Website: https://www.newhanoversheriff.com/animal-services-unit
New Hanover County Rabbit Rescue
Location: Wilmington, NC
Phone: 910.686.9171
Email: nhcrabbitrescue@gmail.com
Website: https://www.nhcrabbitrescue.org
New Hanover Humane Society
Location: Wilmington, NC (multi-state with location locally)
Phone: 910.763.6692
Email: nhumanesoc@aol.com
Website: http://newhanoverhumanesociety.org
RescueConnect NC
Location: Wilmington, NC
Phone: 910.302.7290
Email: rescueconnectnc@gmail.com
Website: https://www.rescueconnectnc.com
Rosey's Rescue
Location: Wilmington, NC
Email: roseysweezers7@aol.com
Website: https://roseysrescue.com
St. Furever Freedom Animal Rescue
Location: Wilmington, NC
Email: stffar12@hotmail.com
Website: https://www.stffar.org
Sunburst Foundation of Wilmington
Location: Wilmington, NC
Phone: 910.622.0011
Email: sunburstfoundation@gmail.com
New Hanover County Specific Information
WECT's Story on Adopting a Pet: Laws and Registration, please visist for additional information.
New Hanover County Statement on Proper Dog Accommodations:
- Any dog left alone outside on its owner’s property must be secured with either a fenced-in yard, chain link fence, or kennel.
- Dogs cannot be restrained by ropes, chains, or tethers.
- Dogs that are 25 pounds or less held in an outside enclosure must have a pen at least 8’ by 10.’
- Dogs larger than 25 pounds must have a 10’ by 10’ pen.
- Each dog held outside must have a dog house (top, bottom, three sides) that is large enough to stand up, turn around and lie down in.
New Hanover County Registration Requirements:
- All dogs, cats, and ferrets four months old and up must be vaccinated for rabies and registered with the New Hanover County Animal Services Unit.
- You may purchase a one or three-year registration or you may opt for the plan that coincides with the length of your pet's rabies vaccination. Failure to register can result in a $100 fine.
New Hanover County Pet Laws:
- The county-wide leash law requires a leash on any dog that is not on its owner’s property.
- If you own or breed dogs and have four or more litters per year you must have a kennel permit and renew it every year.
- If you own or care for an animal that has a planned or unplanned litter you must purchase a breeders permit no later than three business days following the birth of the litter. That permit must be purchased for every litter born.
- Additional laws may exist or be enacted, please consult the county ordinances to remain aware of rules and regulations surrounding pet ownership.
Onslow County
Adoption First Animal Rescue
Location: Wilmington, NC
Carolina Animal Protection Society
Location: Jacksonville, NC
Phone: 910.455.9682
Email: capsrescue@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.capsrescue.com
JPR Pet Pantry / Jaded Paws Rescue
Location: Jacksonville, NC
Phone: 910.389.2372
Email: jprescue@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.jadedpawsrescue.com
Manageable Misfits
Location: Jacksonville, NC
Phone: 910.548.4770
Email: sask9nc@gmail.com
Website: https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/nc/jacksonville/manageable-misfits-nc805
Onslow County Animal Services
Location: Jacksonville, NC
Phone: 910.455.0182
Western Ferals of Onslow Cat Rescue
Location: Jacksonville, NC
Phone: 910.650.4872
Email: westernferal@gmail.com
Website: https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/nc/jacksonville/western-ferals-of-onslow-cat-rescue-nc1050
Pender County
Carolina Boxer Rescue, Inc.
Location: Hampstead, NC
Phone: 910.799.5638
Email: carolinaboxer@gmail.com
Website: http://www.carolinaboxerrescue.org
Feline Urgent Rescue and Rehab
Location: Hampstead, NC
Phone: 864.483.2444
Email: adoptafurrcat@gmail.com
Website: https://www.catfurr.org
Half-Way Home Canine Rescue, Inc
Location: Watha, NC
Phone: 910.285.6212
Email: hlfwyhom@aol.com
Website: https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/nc/watha/half-way-home-canine-rescue-inc-nc802
Hamilton's Healing Hearts
Location: Willard, NC
Phone: 910.271.5170
Monty's Home
Location: Burgaw, NC
Phone: 910.259.7911
Email: info@montyshome.org
Website: https://www.montyshome.org
P.E.A.R - Pender Endangered Animal Rescue
Location: Rocky Point, NC
Phone: 910.512.8522
Email: dogadoption1@gmail.com
Website: http://www.facebook.com/Pearrescue
Pender County Animal Shelter
Location: Burgaw, NC
Phone: 910.259.1484
Email: animalshelter@pendercountync.gov
Website: http://www.pendercountync.gov/as
Pender County Humane Society
Location: Burgaw, NC
Phone: 910.259.7022
Email: penderhumane@yahoo.com
Website: https://penderhumane.org