Catawba County Animal Services

05/28/2026

Meet Raven 🖤

Raven is a beautiful one-year-old mixed breed weighing 41.4 pounds! She is full of playful energy and absolutely LOVES to play a game of fetch!

She is heart-worm negative, up to date on vaccinations, microchipped, and spayed- making her all ready for her new home. Ravens fun loving personality would make a great companion for someone looking for an active, affectionate dog!

If you’re looking for a sweet, energetic best friend, Raven is ready to fill that role!

05/28/2026

URGENT: We are in need of pet food for our shelter

Feeding 226 animals is no small feat! We are asking for our community's help for pet food donations. Our most urgent need is for canned puppy and kitten foods. However, any donations is welcomed!

The best way to donate is through our Amazon wishlist. If you would prefer to donate in person, donations can be brought to the Catawba County Animal Shelter at 201 Government Services Drive in Newton during business hours.

We truly appreciate our community and feel privileged to serve!

05/28/2026

In the early morning hours, staff from Catawba County Animal Services and our friends at Dog Is My CoPilot, Inc. were working to transport 40 animals to our rescue partners.

That is 40 more lives saved.

This has been a month-long process of vaccinations, boosters, health assessments, and, of course, logistics. It's been early mornings and long evenings. It's been ups and downs, setbacks, obstacles, and victories. And it's all been worth it. We're eternally grateful to the pilots, the coordinators and staff, volunteers, and to our rescue partners for helping to make this happen. Without them, it wouldn't have.

40 more lives saved!

05/27/2026

She could be the most adorable dog at the shelter! Say hello to Lacey. This sweet girl is a 1 year 7 month old, Labrador Retriever. She came to our facility as a stray, but has quickly become a staff and volunteer favorite. She is spayed, microchipped, and has all age-appropriate vaccinations. She is heartworm negative, walks well on a leash, mostly housebroken, and seems dog-friendly. We do require meet and greets, just to be sure that all parties involved get along.

Lacey is extremely sweet and very affectionate. Being close to people is her primary motivation; getting pets are her passion. She isn't extremely playful but has tossed around a squeaky toy or two. Lacey has the personality to fit into any family environment. She would make a great family member or a loyal companion. If this amazing young lady seems like the perfect dog for you, come in and our staff will be happy to get her out into one of our play yards. No appointment necessary. Lacey is here, waiting on her forever home.

05/22/2026

🚨 Future best friends alert 🚨🐾

Luke & Bandit are looking for their FURever homes through Catawba County Animal Services 💛

LUKE
Just over a year old
Possible Shar Pei mix
Big boy. Big cuddles. Big sweetheart.
Luke is brave, confident, loves meeting new people, and does well with other dogs.

BANDIT
Around 6 months old
Possible Beagle mix
This little firecracker is FULL of energy and personality 😂 He’s learning more every single day and loves to cuddle once he gets those zoomies out. He is also good with other dogs and loves to meet new people!

Both boys are currently in the A New Leash on Life program and will graduate in about 4 weeks! 🎓🐶

If you’re interested in either of these handsome guys, please submit an interest form through Catawba County Animal Services so we can set up potential meet and greets.

And HUGE thank you to Spiffyduds for the adorable bandanas and bowties 🥹 Don’t they look so handsome?!?! 👀🐾

05/21/2026

Are you looking for a sweet gentleman to adopt? Dozer might just be the perfect dog for you. He is an 8-year-old, German Shepherd, who is neutered, microchipped, and has all age-appropriate vaccinations. Dozer is heartworm negative, walks well on a leash, and is mostly housebroken. He has a wonderful disposition and is a staff and volunteer favorite. Dozer is all about the love and affection, preferring to be near his person above anything else. He is getting a little stressed being in a kennel environment, as he is drooling periodically, which will probably stop as soon as he is in a home environment. Dozer is a great dog who needs a forever home. He seems dog friendly, although meet and greets are required. If you are looking for an older, sweet dog to add to your family, Dozer is waiting for you.

05/20/2026

05/20/2026

Meet Murphy! This shy sweetheart is learning that the world isn’t such a scary place. Murphy may be a little timid when meeting new people, but with patience and gentle encouragement, his loving personality begins to shine through. Once he feels comfortable, he enjoys quiet companionship, soft pets, and staying close to those he trusts.

Murphy would thrive in a calm, patient home where he can continue building confidence at his own pace. He’s looking for a family willing to give him the love, understanding, and reassurance he deserves. Watching Murphy come out of his shell is truly rewarding, and his loyal heart makes every small victory worth celebrating.

Murphy is current on vaccines, microchipped, and available for adoption today!

05/19/2026

Allow us to introduce you to one of our good-est boys, Bill. Bill came to us as a stray, but he obviously has some training in his background. He’s about three years old, listed as a brown brindle mixed breed, and knows his basic commands of “sit,” “come,” “stop” and “no.” The other dogs don’t seem to bother him at all, and the good folks that found him say he got along very well with their dogs. We haven’t tried him around cats, but when he sees squirrels while he’s out on a walk he just watches them.

Speaking of walks, he is incredibly gentle on a leash and walks along beside you without any hurry. He likes toys, but prefers a good head scratch or side pet. Treats will also take you far with him. Bill is very affectionate and will curl up in your lap if given the opportunity, and he loves to snuggle close. Weighing in at about 45 pounds, that will be your choice to make!

Bill is neutered, microchipped and up to date on all of his vaccinations. If you have a yen for the bottom dollar best buddy money can adopt, it only makes cents to come see Bill and have him change your life! Check him out, and his friends, at the shelter, Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm.

05/19/2026

Mercy's Plea:

For 4 days, a kind stranger stopped for her. Day after day they came back with food, treats, water, and patience. Mercy was terrified. She didn’t know if humans could be trusted, but they refused to give up on her. Finally, hungry, exhausted, and out of options… she climbed into their car.

That’s when they realized this sweet girl was HEAVILY pregnant.

Mercy is one of those dogs whose eyes tell a story. A story of fear, uncertainty, and having to fend for herself for far too long. She does not hand out trust easily, but when you slow down and give her the kindness she’s never known, you can see her wanting so badly to believe people are good.

She is learning. Learning that a leash is not scary. Learning that soft voices and gentle hands can mean safety. Learning that humans can help instead of hurt.

And if the cards weren’t already stacked against her… Mercy is also heartworm positive.

This girl has every reason in the world to give up, yet she keeps trying. She keeps taking tiny brave steps forward.

Now she is about to bring puppies into the world, and the shelter is no place for a scared mama to have her babies. Mercy deserves a quiet room, soft blankets, patience, and someone willing to let her move at her own pace. She needs an experienced foster who understands shutdown, shy dogs and is willing to help her finally exhale for the first time in her life.

More than anything, Mercy needs a community behind her. People willing to share her story, advocate for her, and help her find the soft landing she has never had.

Please… if you have the experience and the heart to help Mercy, contact for a foster application.

She survived the roadside. She survived being alone. She is fighting through fear, pregnancy, and heartworms.

Now she just needs someone to show her what love feels like before her puppies arrive.

Information on fostering and foster applications can be found here: https://catawbacountync.gov/county-services/emergency-services/animal-services/foster-a-pet/