How to Adopt, Surrender, or Get Help at Greenville County Animal Care

What Greenville County Animal Care offers and how to reach them

Greenville County Animal Care is the county's municipal shelter, located at 305 Furman Hall Road in Greenville. They take in stray, abandoned, and surrendered animals; hold them during a legal stray period; and work to place them in homes or rescue organizations. The shelter is open to the public for adoptions, and they also handle animal control calls across unincorporated Greenville County.

You can visit in person during their posted hours, call them at (864) 467-4900, or check their website for current animals available. They maintain a searchable online database of dogs, cats, and other animals currently at the shelter, updated regularly so you can see who is there before you visit.

The shelter is run by Greenville County government, so their policies and fees are set by the county. Adoption fees, surrender procedures, and animal hold periods follow South Carolina state law and county ordinance. If you are unsure whether a situation qualifies for their services—such as whether they handle a particular animal species or whether they can take in a pet you can no longer care for—a phone call to their staff will give you a direct answer.

Key Takeaways

• Greenville County Animal Care is located at 305 Furman Hall Road and operates as the county's public shelter for dogs, cats, and other animals.
• You can search their online database to see available animals before visiting, and adoption fees vary by animal type and age.
• If you need to surrender a pet, call ahead to confirm they can take the animal and learn what documents or information to bring.
• Stray animals are held for a legal period before becoming available for adoption, allowing time for owners to reclaim them.
• The shelter's hours, fees, and policies are posted on their website and by phone, and staff can answer questions about specific situations.

How adoption works at Greenville County Animal Care

Adoptions at Greenville County Animal Care begin with a visit to the shelter or a search of their online animal database. You can browse available dogs, cats, rabbits, and other animals by name, age, and type. When you find an animal you are interested in, you can visit during business hours to meet them in person.

The adoption process itself involves completing an adoption form, paying the adoption fee, and receiving the animal's medical records. Staff will ask basic questions about your living situation and pet experience to make sure the match is reasonable. Adoption fees cover the animal's spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations, and microchip, so the cost includes medical care already completed.

Once you adopt, the animal is yours to take home. The shelter provides information about the animal's behavior, any known medical needs, and care instructions. If you have questions after adoption or if the adoption does not work out, contact the shelter to discuss your options.

Surrendering a pet to the shelter

If you can no longer care for a pet, Greenville County Animal Care accepts surrenders during their business hours. Before you bring an animal in, call (864) 467-4900 to confirm they can take the specific animal and to learn what to bring—such as medical records, vaccination history, or information about the animal's behavior and medical needs.

When you surrender an animal, staff will ask why you are surrendering it and will document the animal's condition and history. This information helps shelter staff understand the animal's needs and behavior, which improves the chances of a good adoption match. Be honest about any medical issues, behavioral concerns, or special needs so the shelter can plan appropriate care.

Surrender is not the same as abandonment. Bringing an animal to the shelter during business hours is a legal way to end your responsibility for the pet. Leaving an animal outside the shelter or on county property without notifying staff is abandonment and may result in animal cruelty charges.

Understanding the stray hold period

When a stray animal arrives at Greenville County Animal Care, South Carolina law requires the shelter to hold it for a set period before the animal becomes available for adoption. This hold period gives the original owner time to search for and reclaim their pet. During this time, the animal is not yet available for adoption.

If you lost a pet, contact the shelter immediately and provide a description. Staff can check whether an animal matching your pet's description is currently at the shelter. If your pet is there, you will need to provide proof of ownership—such as a microchip registration, veterinary records, or photos—to reclaim them. Some animals may have a reclaim fee, depending on county policy.

After the hold period ends, animals that have not been claimed become available for adoption. The shelter will try to place them in homes or work with rescue organizations to transfer them. Not all animals are adopted; some may be transferred to rescue groups that specialize in particular breeds or needs.

Medical care and vaccination records

All animals adopted from Greenville County Animal Care receive basic medical care before adoption, including spay or neuter surgery and vaccinations. The adoption fee covers these services. You will receive vaccination records and medical documentation when you adopt, which you can take to your own veterinarian.

If an animal has a known medical condition or special needs, the shelter will inform you before adoption. Some animals may require ongoing medication or follow-up veterinary care. Ask staff about any medical history or concerns before you finalize the adoption so you understand what care the animal will need.

After adoption, your veterinarian becomes your primary resource for ongoing medical care, behavior questions, and health concerns. The shelter can provide initial records and background information, but they do not provide ongoing veterinary services to adopted animals.

What to do if you find a stray animal

If you find a stray dog, cat, or other animal on Greenville County property, you can bring it to Greenville County Animal Care or call animal control at (864) 467-4900 to report its location. If the animal is injured or in immediate danger, call 911 or animal control for emergency assistance.

When you bring in a stray animal, provide as much information as possible about where you found it, what it looks like, and whether it is wearing a collar or tags. This information helps staff locate the owner if the animal is microchipped or if someone calls looking for a lost pet matching that description.

You are not responsible for the animal once you hand it over to the shelter. Staff will take it from there, provide medical care if needed, and follow the legal hold and adoption process. If you want to know what happens to the animal, you can call the shelter after a few days to ask whether it has been claimed or adopted.

Hours, location, and contact information

Greenville County Animal Care is located at 305 Furman Hall Road, Greenville, South Carolina. Their phone number is (864) 467-4900. Hours of operation vary by season and may change, so check their website or call before you visit to confirm they are open.

The shelter's website includes their current hours, adoption fees, available animals, and policies. You can also find them on social media, where they post photos and information about animals available for adoption. Many people follow their social media pages to see new arrivals and share posts about animals they would like to see adopted.

If you have a specific question about an animal, a surrender, a lost pet, or shelter services, calling during business hours is the fastest way to get an answer. Staff can tell you whether the shelter can help with your particular situation and what steps to take next.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the adoption fee at Greenville County Animal Care?

Adoption fees vary depending on the animal's age, type, and medical status. Fees cover spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations, and microchip. Call (864) 467-4900 or check their website for current fees, which may change seasonally or by animal.

How long do they hold stray animals before adoption?

South Carolina law sets the hold period for stray animals. The exact length depends on whether the animal is microchipped and other factors. Call the shelter to ask about the hold period for a specific animal or to report a lost pet.

Do they take animals other than dogs and cats?

Greenville County Animal Care takes in various animals, but capacity and services vary. Call ahead to ask whether they can take a specific type of animal, such as a rabbit, bird, or reptile, before you bring it in.

Can I return an animal if the adoption does not work out?

Contact the shelter to discuss your situation. Many shelters will take back an adopted animal if the match is not working, though policies vary. Call (864) 467-4900 to explain what is happening and ask what options are available.

What if I think my lost pet is at the shelter?

Call (864) 467-4900 and describe your pet. If an animal matching your description is there, staff will ask for proof of ownership, such as a microchip registration or veterinary records. Visit in person if you want to see the animal yourself.