What can I do about a barking dog?

If it is inside the City of Winston-Salem, call the Police Department at 773-7700. If it is inside the County, call the Sheriff’s Department at 727-2112.

What if I have a dead animal?

If it is on a road and inside the County, call 896-7014. If it is inside the City of Winston-Salem, call 727-2638. They will only pick up dead animals out of the road. If it is a pet, you can take it to the landfill.

Does my animal need a pet license?

Forsyth County Code 6-10. Registration of dogs and cats required.
The owner of any dog or cat must obtain a registration for such animals within sixty (60) days after the dog or cat is acquired. New residents shall have sixty (60) days to register any dog or cat.

How much does a license cost?

	Dogs	Cats
Spayed or Neutered	$5.00	$5.00
Unaltered	$25.00	$25.00

Are there penalties for not licensing?

Failure to register within the proper time period may result in a late fee of 50% of the annual license registration fee. Possessing an unlicensed animal is a violation of the Forsyth County Code. Penalties for a violation may range from a $50 civil penalty to a misdemeanor citation of $95 per unlicensed animal.

Why did the fees change?

In an effort to reduce the number of unwanted dogs and cats in Forsyth County, and as an incentive to owners of dogs and cats to have their animals sterilized, the County adopted a differential pet licensing procedure. Registration of all nonexempt dogs and cats requires payment of an annual license registration fee. The fee amount is based upon whether or not the animal is fertile.

Are there any exceptions to the fees?

All dog and cats are required to be licensed, but there are some exemptions from the fee requirements:

1. Animals that are working members of public safety agencies.
2. Animals in the care of a non-profit 501C-3 animal welfare organization as long as sterilization is a requirement of the organization before adoption.
3. Handicap Assistance Dogs: Fees may be waived for handicap assistance dogs, provided the dog is sterilized.
4. Hunting dogs may receive a reduced $5.00 fee upon the owner furnishing the County with a valid hunting license.
5. Show animals may receive a reduced $5.00 fee upon providing three (3) recognized show event registrations per animal.
6. Fertile animals unable to be sterilized for health reasons may receive the $5.00 registration fee providing a veterinarian provides a written statement explaining the animal’s condition.

If I have my pet altered can I get a refund?

Yes. A refund may be approved upon a request made to the Animal Control Department, and if sufficient documentation is provided:

1. An owner that has paid a $25.00 registration may receive a $20.00 refund if the animal is sterilized within 30 days of the license registration payment.
2. An owner of a puppy or kitten that has paid the $25.00 registration fee may receive a refund of $20.00 if the animal is sterilized by the age of 6 months.

How do I license?

Print a Pet Licensing Application.

You can license in person at the animal shelter during normal shelter hours, or by mail. Gather together the required information. Proof of current rabies vaccinations is required and documentation of your pets spaying or neutering is needed for the reduced fee rate. Receipts from your veterinarian generally document whether the pet has been altered as well as the dates of the rabies vaccination. A copy of such a receipt is all that is necessary. No special certificate is required.

If you receive an application in the mail simply fill out the requested information and mail it back with the appropriate fee amount to animal control. A license tag and receipt will be mailed back to you.

Where is the animal shelter located?

The Shelter is located at 5570 Sturmer Park Circle in Winston-Salem - on the Northwest corner of University Parkway and Shattalon Drive.

Will I be notified next year when the license is about to expire?

Yes. A renewal notice will be sent to you.

I no longer live in Forsyth County. Do I still need to license my pet there?

Only if the pet resides in Forsyth County.

Is a rabies certificate with spay/neuter information sufficient verification of altering?

A rabies certificate from a veterinarian showing this information would be sufficient.

Where did you get the information that I had a pet?

The notices of the new ordinance and license applications are generated from existing databases maintained by the County. These are the former dog tax tag records and rabies vaccination records.

I adopted my pet from Forsyth County Animal Control and can no longer find my adoption records. Can you help me?

If the adoption was within the last 3 years we should be able to access the information.

What if I have a problem with wildlife?

If the wildlife is healthy, leave it alone. If you have a question about it, call the Wildlife Department at (919) 662-4381. If the wildlife is a nuisance (in the attic or basement), you need to contact a pest control agency in your area. If the wildlife is destroying crops or property, call Forsyth County Agriculture Extension at 703-2850.

What if I find orphan wildlife or wild birds?

Call Wildlife Rehab at 785-0912.