To report any activities you believe involve animal abuse and if you observe or suspect any animal is being neglected or abandoned by its owner or keeper, you are encouraged to immediately contact Alexander County Animal Services at 828-632-1199.

Animal abuse and neglect is when:

• Any person, maliciously and intentionally maims, mutilates, tortures, wounds, or kills a living animal.
• Any person overrides, overloads, overworks, torments, or deprives an animal of necessary food, water, or shelter.
• Any person intentionally, for amusement or gain, fights any animal against another animal.
• Any person permits an animal to go without veterinary care for an injury.

Animal abandonment is when:

• Any animal owner or keeper has left any animal unattended for a minimum 24 hours without receiving proper care and/or treatment.

In order to start an investigation, we need the following information:

• A physical address of where the animal can be seen/found
• The animal(s) description
• What you have seen that causes you concern for the animal’s health and welfare.

Based on the information you provide, our officers will go out and observe the animal and investigate the situation. The officer will determine whether or not the animal is in immediate danger.

When you report animal abuse or neglect, you are also promoting respect for all life. Humane care for animals improves the quality of life for everyone in Alexander County.