A Message From Our Director
Our shelter is in a fight for its life — and we believe you deserve the full truth. Read a direct message from our new Executive Director, Doug Rae, on the debt we inherited, the changes already underway, and how you can help.
Read the Message
Read the Message
Low-Cost Spay/Neuter for the Community
Spaying or neutering your pet is one of the most important parts of responsible pet ownership. Sterilized pets live longer, healthier lives, and they help solve the pet overpopulation crisis that fills shelters across our community.
Humane Society of Catawba County is proud to offer low-cost spay/neuter to the public through two on-site clinics: the Foothills Spay/Neuter Clinic at our Hickory shelter, and Foothills Animal Health Center in Claremont. These services are available to everyone, regardless of county of residency.
Schedule a Surgery
Most spay/neuter appointments can be scheduled online. Feral cat package appointments must be scheduled by phone — see our Community...
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Low-Cost Vaccines, Testing & Preventatives
Keeping your pet's vaccinations up to date is one of the simplest ways to protect them from contagious disease. Many of these diseases are airborne or easily tracked into the home, and places like boarding kennels, dog parks, and grooming salons are common points of exposure.
At Humane Society of Catawba County, we know that good care can be expensive. That's why we offer low-cost vaccines, testing, microchips, and nail trims at a fraction of the typical cost — so you can keep your pet healthy without the worry. Our wellness clinic is open to the public from all surrounding counties.
Clinic...
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Trap-Neuter-Return for Feral & Stray Cats
For many years, the Humane Society of Catawba County has recognized that Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the most humane and effective way to manage and reduce the population of feral and stray cats — the cats we call "Community Cats."
A feral cat is unsocialized and tends to be fearful of people, keeping its distance. Community Cats most often live outdoors near a food source, in groups called colonies. Most colonies originate from unsterilized stray and roaming owned cats — which is exactly why spay/neuter is the key to managing them humanely.
The Feral Cat Package
Our Feral Cat Package is $50 and includes...
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Support When You Need to Rehome a Pet
We understand that the decision to rehome your pet can be a difficult one, and we're here to support you. Before you surrender, know that we offer resources — from low-cost clinics to our Pet Food Pantry — that may help you keep your pet in your home. If rehoming is still the right choice, we'll help you through it.
As space allows, we accept owned pets from residents of Catawba County and surrounding areas. Once you've completed the steps below, a Humane Society of Catawba County staff member will contact you within 72 hours with further instructions.
If you need to...
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Reuniting Pets With Their Families
Thank you for visiting the Lost Pets page of the Humane Society of Catawba County. If you believe you may be the owner of one of the pets listed above, please contact us at (828) 464-8878 or email info@catawbahumane.org for more information on reclaiming an animal. We require proof of ownership to reclaim a pet, such as photos and/or veterinary records.
Generally, the Humane Society of Catawba County does not take in stray animals. We are by appointment only for owner surrenders, but the occasional stray animal does come into our care. To locate your lost pet, or if you have...
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Identification for Your Pet
A registered microchip is your pet's ticket home. Did you know that 1 in 3 pets will become lost at some point in their life? No matter how careful you are, accidents happen — storms, fireworks, an open gate. A registered microchip dramatically increases the chance that you and your pet are reunited.
We offer microchips at Humane Society of Catawba County for just $25, available at our weekly vaccine clinics and during spay/neuter surgery appointments. The process is simple, fast, and virtually painless. About the size of a grain of rice, the chip carries an ID number linked to your...
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Temporary Pet Food Assistance
The Humane Society of Catawba County's Pet Food Pantry helps pet owners facing financial hardship by providing temporary pet food assistance. One in four pet owners who surrender their pets cite financial difficulty as the reason. By offering supplemental food support, we help keep pets healthy and in the homes that love them — and out of the shelter.
Many people will prioritize feeding their pets over themselves, or resort to table scraps that can cause health issues. Our goal is simple: keep pets fed, healthy, and home.
Please note: we are unable to provide food for individuals feeding feral cat colonies.
Who...
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Income-Based Spay/Neuter Assistance
Spaying and neutering are essential to controlling pet overpopulation and giving animals healthier lives — but the cost can be a real barrier for many families. Humane Society of Catawba County offers income-based grant programs help ease that burden so cost never stands between a pet and the care they need.
All grants are for owned pets only — not rescues or ferals. Each person must provide their own proof of eligibility.
Sand & Clay Project (Cats Only)
The Sand & Clay Project discounts spay/neuter surgery for both male and female cats. Animals must be current on rabies (one can be given at...
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Open Your Home, Save a Life
Fostering saves lives. Every animal placed in a foster home opens up shelter space for another animal in need — and gives a dog or cat the chance to decompress, grow, and thrive in a real home. Whether you have a few hours or a few months, there's a foster opportunity that fits your life.
Foster Opportunities
Out for a DayThis type of foster care involves taking a shelter dog out for the day, or a few hours during business hours, for a walk/hike, a treat, a visit to the pet store, or just hanging out in your home!
Weekend Get AwayThis type...
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