We do offer this as a service to Forsyth County citizens. There is a $50.00 fee per animal and you, as the owner, will not be able to be present at the time the procedure is performed. To schedule a euthanasia request, contact the shelter at 336-703-2480 during our normal business hours. We have limited availability and perform this service by appointment only.

If the animal is sick or injured, please contact FCSO Animal Services and an officer will be contacted. If you are able to safely do so, you can bring the animal to the shelter during our normal hours.

If you see a friendly, healthy stray dog and are able to contain it, try to locate the owner by posting flyers and  posting the dog on social media sites such as Facebook lost and found groups and Pawboost. Bring the dog to a vet or the shelter to be scanned for a microchip. After 7 days, you can either keep the dog or try to rehome it via a rescue organization or using social media. 

If you see a stray cat near your home, DO NOT FEED IT OR LET IT INSIDE YOUR HOME. If it appears healthy, please leave it alone and give it a chance to find its way home. Many cat owners let their cats be indoor/outdoor cats and they usually don't stray more than a block or two from their homes. If you feed it, it will not go home.

Forsyth County Code 6-13 states that animals within the county are not permitted to run at large off the owner's property. There are additional ordinances with the City of Winston Salem as well as other municipalities.

• Forsyth County
• Winston-Salem
• Kernersville

If you happen upon a litter of kittens outdoors, it's natural to want to scoop them up and try to care for them yourself or take them to a shelter. But both of those options may actually place them in more danger. In addition, truly feral cats and kittens cannot be socialized and made "adoptable" - the one trait necessary for all animals entering a shelter to find a new home. To give a feral cat and her newborn kittens the best chance of survival, follow these steps:

1. Don't touch the kittens, but try to figure out if their mom is around. Observe them from a distance every few hours for 18-24 hours. Also, try leaving out wet or dry food for the mother. If the food is gone in 12 hours or so, mom is taking care of her babies. If the kittens seem content and are not fussing, there's a good chance their mom is coming back.
2. If the kittens are in danger due to their location,  move them carefully using a towel or gloved hands to a safe spot nearby so the mom can easily find them when she returns.
3. If the mom hasn't come back or the kittens are dirty, meowing constantly or appear sick, underweight or dehydrated, contact a local rescue organization by searching online. They can help you determine if the kittens are at risk and if you should intervene. If intervention is necessary, Kitten Lady offers comprehensive resources for taking care of neonates and kittens. As a last resort, the kittens can be brought to FCAS.
4. Finally, if you spot the mom, leave the kittens alone. Provide food to the mom. When the kittens have been eating on their own for about four weeks or are big enough for surgery (typically when they're between two and three months old), humanely trap the whole family (TNR - Trap, Spay or Neuter, Release) and have them spayed or neutered. A local TNR program may be able to help you with the trapping process. After the cats are spayed or neutered, release them at the location where you found them. TNR is the most humane method of preventing feral cats and kittens from entering the shelter system and having to be euthanized. Humane Solution offers excellent information and assistance for TNR.