If you are bitten by a domesticated animal, North Carolina law requires that you report it to the Police Department, and the animal’s owner will be required to show proof of rabies vaccination. In addition, any domesticated dog or cat which has bitten someone is required to undergo a 10 day observation period at the owner’s home. In some situations, the animal may be required to be observed at a local veterinary hospital or Wake County Animal Shelter at the owner’s expense.

One way to prevent your animal from biting a person or another animal is to obey the leash law. The Town of Cary requires that all dogs and cats be on a leash or lead if they are not on the owner’s property. The leash law also protects animals from injury.

Please use the Bite report form to file a bite report with Animal Services.  

Please use the Home confinement form if your animal has bitten and Animal Services asked you to fill out a home confinement. 

If you have lost your pet, go to the Triangle Lost Pets website to create a lost pet listing. Stray animals found within the Town of Cary and in Wake County are taken to the Wake County Animal Center. Pictures of recovered pets are posted on the Animal Center’s photo gallery, so be sure to keep checking it every day. The Wake County Animal Center holds stray animals for three to five business days before they are available for adoption. 

Please complete the Lost and Found form or call the Town of Cary Animal Services office at (919) 319-4517 and provide a detailed description and the last known location of your animal. Pets recovered by our Animal Services Officers are taken to the Wake County Animal Center, (919) 212-PETS (7387).

Microchipping is best and fastest way to get pets safely home. 

If you find an animal, you should report it immediately to Cary Animal Services or Wake County Animal Services so that animal can be returned home promptly. In some cases, those that find and report lost animals may hold onto them until an owner is located.

In addition to alerting Animal Services, you can post a Found Pet listings on Triangle Lost Pets, Lost & Found Pets of the Triangle FB page, Craigslist and Nextdoor.  

Many species of wildlife do not cause damage but can be considered nuisances merely by their presence in residential settings. Wildlife that cross roads, nest and feed in and around homes, make noise, and leave their droppings are common occurrences which can often interrupt everyday life.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission offers tips for coexisting with wildlife, including coyotes, Canada geese, beavers, black bears and deer. You can also reach the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's Wildlife Interaction Helpline at 866-318-2401. While Animal Services does not typically remove healthy wildlife, you can find additional information on what to do if you find injured or orphaned wildlife here. 

A license is required to trap wildlife. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission provides a list of licensed trappers. The Town of Cary does not provide trapping services for nuisance wildlife.

Sec. 6-71 of the Town Ordinance addresses nuisance animals. One of the most frequent complaints that we hear surrounding animals is excessive barking. The ordinance is very specific on how you may work with our Animal Services Officers to address this issue, and can be found in Sec. 6-71(f). To begin the process please complete our Annoying Animal Sounds  form.

Annoying sounds. A person annoyed by sounds shall follow the procedures specified below.

•  Upon receipt of a detailed written and signed complaint by a person annoyed by sounds, the animal services unit shall provide written notice to the owner or possessor of the premises on which the animal(s) making annoying sounds is maintained ("animal owner") that a complaint has been received about the animal's (animals’) annoying sounds. The notice shall detail the complaint and may make suggestions on ways to correct the situation.
• Upon receipt of such notice of complaint, the animal owner shall cure the violation. If the violation is not cured, or if a second complaint is made to the animal services unit about the same animal(s) within any six (6) month period, the animal services unit shall cause the animal owner to be served by an order to abate the annoying sounds within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed seven (7) days ("Abatement Order"). Such notice shall be served by personal delivery or by certified mail, return receipt requested.
• If the original complainant, or any other affected person notifies the animal control unit that the animal owner has failed or refuses to abate the annoying sounds as provided in the Abatement Order, the animal services unit shall investigate and may issue a civil citation for the violation in the amount of two hundred dollars ($200.00). Such citation shall be collected in the manner set forth in section 6-132.
• If the annoying sounds continue after issuance of the citation, the complainant should pursue the action by going to the magistrate and filing a summons against the animal owner. Nothing in this section shall prevent a private citizen from bringing an action at any time against an animal owner.

Other forms of nuisance Animal Services can help address are unsanitary conditions, repeatedly being at large, chasing, snapping at or attacking pedestrians or bicyclist and being restrained or housed near a street or sidewalk.  

Please use the General Complaint form if you are experiencing any non-noise issues with animals in the Town of Cary.

If you see an animal that you believe may be rabid, call (919) 469-4012 to report the location of the animal. Do not try to touch or capture the animal as it may attempt to bite you. Animals with rabies usually show some type of behavioral change. They can be aggressive and excited, or depressed and lethargic. They may also be uncoordinated and unfocused on the presence of humans around them.

The most common types of wildlife that may carry the rabies virus are raccoons, foxes and bats. While these animals are primarily nocturnal, all of these animals are active during daylight hours at certain times of the year. If you see a raccoon, fox, bat or other wildlife during daylight hours and it appears to be sick or is aggressive toward other animals or humans, move to a safe location and call immediately.

To protect you, your family, and your pets:

• State law requires ALL cats and dogs 4 months and older be vaccinated against rabies and that they display their vaccination tags at all times. For dogs and cats that were previously vaccinated, subsequent vaccinations are good for three (3) years, but proof of vaccination must be able to be shown. Tags are also helpful in identifying and locating lost pets.
• State law also requires that if a bat is found in the living area of a residence, that bat must be tested. Please contact Animal  Services immediately.
• Pet owners must use caution when dealing with any pet that may have been harmed by a suspicious animal.
• Wear gloves and other protective clothing when helping your injured pet, and stay away from any bodily fluids, especially saliva.
• Avoid any wild animal and have all pets - cats, dogs, and horses - vaccinated against the rabies virus.
• Seek help immediately if you or your pets are bitten by any animal, and notify officials as soon as possible.

If you suspect rabies, contact Cary Animal Services immediately at 919-319-4517.

Additional information about rabies can be found at the resources listed below:

• North Carolina College of Veterinary Medicine
• North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Division
• American Veterinary Medical Association

Per Sec. 6-67. Animal Abuse of the Town Ordinance you may not leave a dog tethered (chained to a stationary object) without remaining outside and supervising your dog. Alternatives to tethering include bringing the dog into your home, fencing in your yard, or constructing a pen. Outdoor enclosures are also governed by Town Ordinance. For dogs weighing less than 20 pounds the pen may be no smaller than 100 square feet. Dogs weighing 20 pounds or more are required to have an enclosure no smaller than 200 square feet.

You should also take note of the basic requirements associated with keeping a pet in an outdoor enclosure. The pet must be provided clean water, food and proper shelter. Proper shelter is defined as having at least three solid sides, a roof and a floor with bedding; and must be ventilated and have sufficient room for an animal to move about freely and lie down comfortably.

Please use the General Complaint form if you are having any issues with animals in the Town of Cary.

Sec. 6-64 of the Town Ordinance requires an animal owner to remove any feces deposited by his or her pet on the private property of another, or on public property. The ordinance does not address urine. If you know who the owner of the offending animal is, Animal Services Officers will be happy to work with you to address the issue.

Please use the General Complaint form if you are having any issues with animals in the Town of Cary.

The goal of anyone who has lost or found a pet is to get it back home as soon as possible. That same mentality applies to the Cary Animal Services team. We know the stress and worry that comes along with having lost a pet. We know accidents happen and pets get lost. Pets away from home are subject to dangers and stresses that can be avoided if we can get them home quickly. The best way to ensure a fast and happy reunion for your pets is to have them microchipped.  This is the focus of the Cary Them Home initiative.   

What will Animal Services be doing:

• We will be partnering with local vets to provide FREE microchips to anyone who needs one.
• We will hold pop-up “Check the Chip” stations so you can be sure your pets microchip is readable and provide resources on updating the chip with correct contact information.
• We will "Cary Them Home" by providing found stray animals a ride home if an owner can be found through a chip, ID tags, social media or other methods. 
• We will provide ongoing opportunities to have your pets microchipped for free. 

Cary Animal Services is thrilled to introduce our vet partners for our Cary Them Home Program. These veterinary practices are donating their time and expertise to support Animal Services in our quest to get every lost dog or cat back home. Please contact the vet directly to get more information on how to receive your FREE microchip. Each animal hospital may offer different hours of availability. 

Animal Kingdom Veterinary Hospital - (919) 460-9111 at 336 E Durham Rd, Cary, NC 27511

Banfield Pet Hospital - (919) 387-5976 at 3460 Ten-Ten Rd Ste B100, Cary, NC 27518

Chatham Animal Hospital - (919) 469-8114 at 105 Oceana Pl, Cary, NC 27513

Crossroads Veterinary Hospital - (919) 851-8979 at1112 Jones Franklin Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606

Gentle Care Animal Hospital - (919) 387-3435 at 3435 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27518

Gentle Care Animal Hospital - (919) 852-4386 at 100 Kumar Ct, Raleigh, NC 27606

Kildaire Animal Medical Center - (919) 469-8086 at 1409 Kildaire Farm Rd. Cary, NC 27513 

Mayfair Animal Hospital – (919) 590-0099 at 1130 SW Maynard Rd. Cary, NC 27513

Mobile Laser Veterinary Services - (919)789-1109

Noah’s Ark Veterinary Hospital – (919) 469-0029 at 220 High House Rd, Cary, NC 27513

Vetmobile - (919) 607-5716 at 5605 Chapel Hill Rd Suite 122, Raleigh, NC 27607

Below you will find a list of community partners with information for services including adoption services, dog friendly housing, microchipping, rehoming your pet, and spay & neuter clinics and more. 

• Wake County Animal Center Adoption Gallery Photos of adoptable pets
• Wake County Animal Services Wake County Animal Shelter 
• Saving Lives spay and neuter clinic low cost spay and neuter clinic 
• Spay and Neuter Voucher Program  low cost voucher program 
• Pit Stop Spay and Neuter Program $25 spay or neuter for pit bulls 
• Kitty Clip Spay and Neuter Program $5 feral cat voucher program 
• Spay Neuter assistance program of NC low cost spay and neuter assistance 
• No Empty Bowls Project provides pet food and essentials to families in need 

Annually Cary Animal Services Officers host Cary Dog Daze and Pet Expo in the month of May. This event bring together vendors, rescue groups, veterinarians and pet owners from across the region. In the past this has been a fun filled day for pets and their owners. 

If you are a member of an animal rescue, own a pet-related business, or sell pet-related goods and services and would like a booth at the event, please contact us for information.

If you would like to have an Animal Services Officer speak to your civic group, HOA or organization please use the Event request form.  

Below you will find a list of DocuSign forms used by Animal Services.

Please use the Lost and Found form to report if you have either lost or found an animal within the Town of Cary.

Please use the Annoying Animal Sounds form if you are having and issue with nuisance animal noise within the Town of Cary. 

Please use the Bite report form to file a bite report with Animal Services. Reports can also be filed be phone to 919-319-4517. 

Please use the Trap Request form to request a trap for nuisance animals within the Town of Cary. Traps are not provided for nuisance wildlife. If you are having an issue with nuisance wildlife please see list of licensed trappers here. 

Please use the General Complaint form if you are having any issues with animals in the Town of Cary. 

Please use the Event request form to request Animal Services talk to your civic group, HOA, scout troop or organization. 

Please use the Home confinement form if your animal has bitten and Animal Services asked you to fill out a home confinement.