Animal Shelter of Orange County

This animal shelter is one of the best with some of the best and brightest workers, involving the community in volunteer work to get these innocent animals a pleasant home. This shelter provides perfect care in a nice environment, and it is very welcoming.

Okay, I think I’ve been to nearly every major shelter in the area looking for a cat. By now it’s become equal parts finding the perfect best friend and learning about the types of shelters offering an opportunity to find the perfect match.
The shelters in the area are all over the place in quality and conditions, but one thing they all seem to have in common, is staff who, for the most part, care about their charges.
Orange County Animal Shelter is one of the good ones. I’ve been to this facility three times and in each instance found the the same involved staff and a willingness to give you time to make your decision and then, when you’re ready, get you set up efficiently and quickly.
I’ve never made it back to the dog kennels, so I don’t know what that’s like, but if it’s as well maintained and staffed as the section with the cats, it has to be nice as it can be for a shelter. For the cats, the cages are arranged so the cats can see and be seen with either a view of the outdoors or of the hallway. There are plenty of toys available, and the larger cages will have two or three cats. If you want to spend time playing or visiting, you’ll be encouraged to do so with no hassle. There’s always a staff member around to answer questions or tell you a bit about the personality of each animal. If not, there’s a book in the room with information about each of the residents.
My only ding would be the size of the cages near the hallway, they seem pretty small, although I’ve come to learn it’s a pretty standard size in places like this. Still, they’re kept clean and they don’t have that unpleasant smell.
It still breaks my heart to see so many animals needing homes, but that’s not the shelter’s fault. If you’re looking to adopt, start here; there’s a good chance you’ll find your best friend.

This is where I met my first true love, Jolene. I adopted my beautiful Tortie Calico in October of 2003 during a (very) short stint in Chapel Hill. I was friends with a gal at the coffee shop where I worked and she took me «cat shopping» at the Shelter. I was impressed immediately by how clean the shelter was. The volunteers were all so helpful and sweet. The adoption process was efficient and inexpensive (under $ 100 — included shots, fixin’ and microchipping). If I still lived in CH, I’d adopt many more pets from them.

I’ve visited the Orange County Animal Shelter a couple of times, both with friends who were looking to adopt. It is indeed very clean and tidy and the pets are cared for as well as they possibly can be given the volume of animals that come through. I remember there being way more cats than dogs, and far more big dogs than small or medium dogs. Lots and lots of labradors, German shepherds, and pit bulls. All their animals are temperament tested, which I think does improve the chances of a large dog being adopted. I can’t give them 5 stars because they are a kill shelter, but for anyone wanting to adopt a new pet, this is the first place I’d recommend.

I came here with an old friend of mine when he wanted to get a dog and helped him «shop» for the beast. They’ve got a really good setup here (such as they can). It breaks my heart to see all these fantastic animals here with no where to go. At least they’re well taken care of, though. The staff loves their work seemingly without exception, and they animals seem about as happy as their circumstances would allow. Excellent job, guys… You’re the number one place around here for getting a new pet.

This one of the cleanest and most well maintained animal shelters I think I’ve seen. The staff is awesome, they are very helpful in the animal adoption process. I got a chow mix puppy from them a few years ago. I would go to the shelter often, before I got the puppy and just pet and give snacks to some of the dogs & cats there. If you’re an animal lover as am I, this is a perfect place to get a first pet. The animals are sweet and the majority of the adult ones are house broken. Stop in and add a four legged creature to your family.

Love you, Orange County Animal Shelter, LOVE you!
I’ve adopted several animals from you and have always been impressed with the quality of your service. Your animals have made me into a lifelong animal lover, weepy vegetarian and proud pet owner.
For that you get a big hug!

I had a very sick cat and it was time to have her put to sleep. I was kind of afraid to take her to the animal shelter for this, but funds were tight because veterinary care options had already been exhausted in trying to diagnose her.
I was afraid the animal shelter would be cold, matter of fact, and mechanical about it, but I was so wrong.
I was clearly upset and the cat was clearly sick and they were very compassionate and gentle to both the cat and to me.
They perform this service for free (donations accepted), so I was touched by their level of attention and care.
Not the happiest of stories, but I was impressed.

I got my kitten here. Everything I experienced here was great. I came for an adoption visit and they let me walk around the cat room alone. I found my kitten toward the end of my walk around the room. The staff was great and the adoption process was easy. I love my kitten!!!