Rehoming Help
Need Help Finding a New Home for Your Pet?
We understand there are times when families must consider surrendering a pet. An unexpected life event—such as illness, death or unplanned move—may make caring for a pet seem impossible. Other times, people think they must give up their pet because they do not know how to handle a particular issue.
We encourage you to exhaust all other options. Many issues such as chewing, excessive barking, scratching furniture, house soiling and even allergies can be addressed. The SPCA of Wake County can be a resource for behavioral services, or recommendations that may help you keep your pet.
Click the button below.
Updated, Feb. 1, 2024
We are the SPCA of Wake County (SPCA Wake), an independent, privately funded, limited-admission organization. We are unable to take walk-in pet surrenders at this time.
The Wake County Animal Center (WCAC), located at 820 Beacon Lake Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610, is the government-run shelter for Wake County animals. As of February 1, 2024, WCAC will accept owner-surrendered pets by appointment only. Per the WCAC's website, "The staff will review applications and consider the urgency of need and the availability of space. If no space is available, applicants will be placed on a waiting list. Staff will assist applicants in placing their pets on rehoming websites while waiting for space at the Center. Surrender appointments won't follow the order of incoming requests, but they will be prioritized based on need and the specific available space."
1 ) There are other options available.
2) SPCA Wake can provide resources that may help you keep your pet.
3) We encourage you to exhaust all other options prior to surrendering your pet. Many issues, such as chewing, excessive barking, scratching furniture, house soiling, and even allergies, can be addressed.
Click here for Rehoming Resources (IMPORTANT: please select the Rehoming Assistance option in the drop-down menu)
Need to re-home an animal? Here’s how you can find them loving families without having them set foot in a shelter! PLUS - your pet will also be viewable on our website. SPCA Wake is partnering with Adopt-A-Pet.com; a website designed to help place a pet from your home directly into another loving home!
Follow the steps below to get started:
- The first step is to fill out this form: Click Here
- When prompted, use the coupon code: RCXHAQTL2U8AD8Z (this will waive the listing fee)
- Your pet’s listing will be viewable under the adoption menu on our website via the “Rehome by Owner” link.
- Potential families will submit applications for you to review if they are interested in a pet.
- Questions? Here is an FAQ and more details about how it works.
Thank you for keeping your pet out of the shelter, and opting to rehome through the link above!
If you are here to turn in a lost or stray animal, please read this first:
The SPCA of Wake County is not animal control. We are unable to accept walk-ins. Please do not abandon animals here.
The animal you found might have a microchip! Contact any veterinarian or ask staff here (during open hours) to scan the animal so you can contact the owner directly.
The government-run Wake County Animal Center (WCAC) is located at 820 Beacon Lake Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610. WCAC accepts stray animals by appointment only. Please call 919-212-7387 to make an appointment.
If you live within the city limits of Raleigh, Cary, Garner or Holly Springs, please call the animal control unit for where you found the pet.
Animal Control Jurisdictions & Contact Information:
Garner Animal Control: 919-772-8810
Holly Springs Animal Control: 919-557-9111
Raleigh Animal Control: 919-831-6311
Cary Animal Control: 919-319-4517
*Wake County Animal Control: 919-856-6911
*If you found an animal in Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell and Zebulon, Wake County Animal Control serves these areas (919-856-6911)
ALSO! Post a photo of the stray pet on neighborhood social media sites. Many pets are reunited this way.
Downloadable PDF (with all the information listed here)
Free Lost-Pet Posters
View Downloadable Posters
PetCo Love Lost
A national database where pet owners can list lost and found pets.
Click here to get started