ANIMAL SERVICES TRANSITIONS TO APPOINTMENT-BASED SERVICES

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (March 17, 2020) – Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) will transition to appointment-based services as of Wednesday, March 18. The purpose of this transition is to continue to prevent or slow community spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in accordance with the recommendations on social distancing provided by public health officials. 
 
The OCAS facility will be closed to the public with the exception of appointments made in advance. However, Animal Control and shelter operations staff will be reachable by phone and responding to messages during business hours as normal. Services requiring appointments include but are not limited to:

• Animal adoptions 
• Animal visitations (Meet & Greets)
• Animal recoveries
• Searches for lost animals
• Animal surrenders 

 
OCAS is currently asking that members of the public delay surrendering animals if at all possible, and they are encouraging the public take advantage of online services such as licensing payments, filing reports and searching for lost or found pets, and browsing available animals. To obtain more information about OCAS or to take advantage of online services, please visit www.orangecountync.gov/155/Animal-Services. To inquire about an appointment or ask any questions, please call the facility's main number, 919-942-7387, and follow the prompts that best fit your needs. 
 
OCAS would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding as they try to manage and maintain services while protecting staff and members of the public during the current COVID-19 pandemic. For up-to-date information on COVID-19, please visit www.orangecountync.gov/2332/Coronavirus-COVID-19.