Shelter FAQs

• Until the pet overpopulation crisis has been resolved, adopting from a shelter is the humane, ethical choice for millions of Americans!
• When you adopt from a shelter, you become part of the solution to the overpopulation crisis. You give a deserving animal a new home. You free up space for another animal needing a home. And your adoption fee goes toward the shelter’s education and spay/neuter programs, which help prevent more unwanted litters.
• For a reasonable adoption fee, you can adopt an animal that would cost several hundred dollars elsewhere once you include shots, microchip and spay/neuter surgery.
• Shelters have all shapes and sizes of lovable mutts, purebreds, all-American cats, puppies and kittens, adolescents and seniors. Your chances of finding a wonderful companion who matches your lifestyle, family, and home are excellent!
• Dogs, cats and “pocket pets” end up in shelters because of circumstances beyond their control. They’re victims of a death, illness, divorce, or another life-changing event like a new baby.
• In addition, shelters offer educational literature on all aspects of pet ownership, and they often provide ongoing advice, guidance and training suggestions.

Check out this article from the Humane Society about adopting pets from an animal shelter.

Each year, 6-8 million dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens are left at animal shelters around the country. Some are lost, some are abandoned, some are unwanted; most are the result of irresponsible pet ownership. 3-4 million of those animals are euthanized because there aren’t enough homes for them all.

• Your veterinarian may be able to work out special financing options for you. Remember that, even if you pay full price for the procedure, spaying or neutering is a one-time cost with a lifetime of benefits.
• APS provides reduced-cost spay and neuter vouchers through grant funding from the Margaret T. Petrie Spaying and Neutering Foundation. Please fill out this application to be considered.  You must be a Durham County resident to qualify for this great service.

Click here to read about what to do when you find a stray animal.

If you are unable to transport the animal, please contact Animal Services at 919-560-0900.

Surrendering your pet is a big decision. Before you surrender, check out these resources and alternatives.

You can visit Adopt a Pet if you are looking to rehome your pet and follow the instructions.

• The Animal Protection Society of Durham does not handle animal cruelty complaints and cannot pick up injured animals.
• Reports of injured animals or animal cruelty should go directly to Durham County Animal Services at (919) 560-0900.
• If you find an injured animal and determine it is safe to pick up, you can bring it to the shelter during our normal hours. However, please be aware that picking up an injured animal is generally not recommended and is at your own risk.

APS is an open-admission shelter , and since we manage the Durham County Animal Shelter, we are required to take in all animals that are hurt, stray and abandoned in Durham County. We treat all animals with respect and compassion, and we partner with rescue organizations and volunteers to ensure that each animal is given the best chance to thrive.

Some of the animals that we receive are not able to be added to our adoption programs. For example, APS will not release aggressive animals into our community. We also do receive requests from pet owners that their sick or injured pet be humanely euthanized. APS is committed to humanely treating each animal, and our euthanasia is part of the reality of our shelter.

Other shelters that are called “no-kill” are limited admission shelters that limit the number and type of animals that they will take.  If they’re near capacity, they’ll refuse to take in additional animals, forcing the owners to find another place for the animal. Many no-kill shelters will never accept animals that will be difficult to adopt, such as older or injured animals. Owners often report to us that they’ve brought their animals to APS after being refused by one or more no-kill shelters. Other no-kill shelters may house animals for years in small cages, often causing animals to go literally insane. We do not believe this is a preferable, or even realistic, alternative to euthanasia.

There’s nothing wrong with no-kill shelters or rescues, as long as they’re honest about their limitations — especially the limited number of animals they’re able to help. However, until we end the pet overpopulation problem in our community, a full-service shelter that performs euthanasia is a tragic necessity.

Yes! We love bringing APS and our animals to community events. We require a two-week notice for scheduling. Please contact our Events & Communications Manager at events@apsofdurham.org, and they will be in touch within two business days.