Animal Shelter & Rescue

In the past, the Cherokee County Shelter only operated as a holding facility for the stray animals either surrendered or brought in by Animal Control.  Cherokee County relied heavily upon non-profit organizations for the rescue, veterinary care, and adoptions of the animals housed in the Animal Shelter.  

The new Cherokee County Animal Shelter facility was built on the premise that the non-profit organization partnerships would remain as they had for many years past; however, upon the opening of the facility in 2024, The Humane Society of Cherokee County ended facilitating all of the recues, adoptions, and veterinary care of animals in the Animal Shelter facility.   

With this abrupt end to a very long organizational structure in Cherokee County animal welfare, the Cherokee County Animal Shelter had no choice but to step up to ensure the animals in the shelter would have an opportunity for a better future.  

The Cherokee County Animal Shelter is in a transitional phase working towards implementing new and upgraded policies, procedures, and programs to best serve Cherokee County.  

Currently, the Cherokee County Animal Shelter continues to accept owner surrendered animals and animals brought in by the Cherokee County Animal Control.  The Animal Shelter holds and cares for lost dogs and cats and facilitates the safe return to their owners. If there is no owner for the animal, the animal shelter evaluates each dog and cat that enters the shelter, provides the animal with veterinary care and works diligently to get the animal to an approved animal rescue organization or adopted into a loving home.

With the massive presence of the Humane Society of Cherokee County no longer the footprint in animal welfare at the Animal Shelter it once was, Cherokee County has taken on the performance of all functions that organization used to facilitate and fund.   

Cherokee County is taking steps to improve welfare of the animals in our county on the front end by hiring more qualified officers in the Sheriff’s Department dedicated to animal control operations. This effort will allow for enhanced enforcement of penalties on those that violate Cherokee County’s animal welfare ordinances.   

Cherokee County is working hard towards ensuring all animals within our county and all animals in our shelter receive the highest standard of care and living that we can provide. 

Animal Shelters across the country rely heavily on their communities to ‘fill the gaps,’ and Cherokee County is no different in this need. We currently welcome community support in several forms, and we are building programs within our animal shelter to offer even more ways our community can come together in the support of animal welfare. 

Are you a no-kill shelter?  

A no-kill shelter is an organization dedicated to saving every healthy and treatable animal that enters its care. It typically has a 90% or higher placement rate for animals in their care, meaning that no animal is euthanized simply because it doesn’t have a home. The core principle is that no animal is euthanized unless it is severely ill or poses a significant public safety risk. 

Cherokee County Animal Shelter is a no-kill shelter.  Cherokee County Animal Shelter does not euthanize any animals solely due to limited space.  However, due to the mission to remain a no-kill shelter, we maintain a ‘wait-list’ when space is limited for those wanting to surrender an animal.  We are working towards up-ticking animal adoptions and animal rescue efforts to eliminate a wait list. We are also working to increase funding to be able to treat more complex and dire animal diseases/injuries so that every ‘rehabable’ animal that comes in our doors has hope.  

Do I call the Animal Shelter when I need to report a stray animal?  

Cherokee County Animal Shelter takes in the animals from Cherokee County Animal Control when they are brought in, so the two entities work closely together.  However, Cherokee County Animal Control would be called to report and pick up a stray animal.  The Cherokee County Animal Control is a part of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.  

Is Cherokee County Animal Shelter affiliated with the Humane Society of Cherokee County? 

For several years, the Animal Shelter only housed animals, and the Humane Society of Cherokee County was responsible for getting the animals veterinary care, rescue placement, and animal adoptions.  However, in 2024, the Humane Society of Cherokee County dissolved this structured partnership with the Cherokee County Animal Shelter.  There is no longer an operational affiliation between the Cherokee County Animal Shelter and the Humane Society of Cherokee County.  If you would like to ensure your donations are going directly to the welfare of the animals in the shelter, please ensure those donations are provided to the Cherokee County Animal Shelter.  These donations are still tax deductible.  

Can I volunteer at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter?  

As of now, due to limited supervision, there are not any volunteer opportunities behind the adoption floor and main office area at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter.  We are actively working towards possible volunteer opportunities that would be safe and organized though, as they are needed.   

If my animal is lost, how can I make sure the Cherokee County Animal Shelter is watching for the animal to come into their facility?  

There are two ways that you can do this!  If your animal is lost, you can certainly call the main Animal Shelter office to alert them to be on the lookout for your animal.  Another way to report your animal lost is to e-mail [email protected] with a photo of your pet and/or a description of your pet along with where he or she was lost.