Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina's FAQ page, where you'll find answers to questions we hear most often. Whether you're curious about our adoption process, interested in volunteering opportunities, or seeking general information, you'll find comprehensive information here. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly!
Q: How are you associated with the Humane Society of the United States?
Actually, we AREN'T! Many people don't realize that despite sharing part of our name with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), we actually aren't affiliated with them - and neither is nearly every other humane society. Unlike The Red Cross that has local branches that operate under the main umbrella organization, HSUS is predominantly an advocacy organization. We don't receive any funding from HSUS or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), or any other funding group. We rely solely on donations, grants, and fundraisers to provide for every animal in our care.
Q: I found a dog or a cat. Can you take them?
Unfortunately, no. The Humane Society of Eastern Carolina isn't a county- or city-operated facility, so legally we are unable to serve as a holding facility for animals that are found as strays. All found animals MUST be reported to Pitt County Animal Services (or the city/county facility in which the animal was found) so that the legal 72-hour hold can begin. The animal can be turned over to the facility or held in the finder's home for the mandatory 72-hour period before an adoption can take place.
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Unfortunately, we also must address a frustrating issue we have run into: animals abandoned at our facility. Although it may seem like abandoning a pet at our facility is a "safe" option, we cannot emphasize enough that not only is this NOT safe, it's also illegal.
Q. I need to re-home my animal. What do I do?
If your animal was originally adopted through the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina, please email us at surrender@hsecarolina.org. For all other animals, please visit our Resources page for additional information.
Q. Are you a county animal shelter?
No. The Humane Society of Eastern Carolina is a non-profit, no-kill organization. We do not receive any city, county, state, or national funding, nor are we associated with any major group (such as the Humane Society of the United States or an ASPCA).
Q. Does no-kill mean you never euthanize?
At the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina, our goal is to save as many lives as possible each year, thanks to the incredible support of compassionate individuals like you. We are dedicated to ensuring that no animal is euthanized due to space limitations or the length of their stay. Euthanasia is only used as a compassionate end-of-life decision when an animal suffers from severe medical or behavioral issues or poses a risk to others.
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While many no-kill shelters use a 90% live outcome rate as a benchmark, we focus on making decisions that prioritize the well-being of each animal in our care and the safety of our community, rather than strictly following percentages. To us, being No-Kill means doing everything possible to achieve a live outcome. We carefully consider the animal’s quality of life, community safety, and the practicality of managing challenging behaviors or health conditions in a home setting without risking others.
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North Carolina ranks among the highest in the nation for euthanasia rates of shelter animals, according to national studies. We are committed to changing this by saving as many lives as we can and providing exceptional care for every animal we rescue.
We invite you to be a part of this vital mission and help us make a difference.
Q. Do you have paid staff?
Yes. We currently employ 4 full-time and 4 part-time staff members. If you are interested in joining our team, please visit our Join Our Team page for additional information.
Q. Do you need volunteers?
Always! We would be lost without our incredible volunteers. Do you want to volunteer with the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina? You can learn more about volunteer opportunities by visiting the Volunteer page.
Q. What payment methods do you accept for adoptions?
We accept cash, credit or debit card, and Apple Pay for our adoption fees. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept checks.