How Do I

Dogs at the Shelter

Cats at the Shelter

At Cleveland County Animal Services, we strive to make the adoption process as seamless as possible. Our priority is making the best possible matches in order to find forever homes for shelter pets.  

All dog adoptions include: 

• Initial medical exam
• Initial deworming
• Initial heartworm screening
• DHLPP vaccination
• Rabies vaccination and tag
• Microchip ID and registration
• Spay or neutering

All cat adoptions include:

• Initial medical exam
• Initial deworming
• FVRCP vaccination
• Rabies vaccination and tag
• Microchip ID and registration
• Spay or neutering

In order to adopt, you must have a valid, government-issued photo ID. This can be a driver's license, passport, or ID card. 

The earliest a stray may be released for adoption is three shelter business days after being made available for reclaim by the Shelter. N.C. law requires this holding period in order to provide owners the opportunity to reclaim their lost pet. If an animal has been legally surrendered by the owner, the minimum hold does not apply, and we will make the animal will be made available as quickly as can. 

Adoption Hours:

Monday through Friday, 11 AM - 4 PM, Tuesday until 6 pm
Saturday, 11 AM - 3 PM 
The shelter is closed on Sundays except for special events.

In the following circumstances, staff may decline an adoption: 

• Adopter has been convicted in criminal court for matters related to animal cruelty
• Adopter has been cited for animal cruelty 

Adoption fees are $40 for dogs and $10 for cats.

In some instances, these fees are waived. Special adoption promotions occur from time to time and include a reduced fee adoption.

Please visit the shelter during operating hours at 1601 Airport Road in Shelby or view adoptable animals on the Cleveland County Animal Services' website.

Please visit our Career Portal for open positions.

We offer outstanding benefits including health plans with a $0 Employee-only Premium, HSA dollars up to $1,100, Employee Wellness Center, and more. Learn more about our benefits and awards!

Find all the current applications and forms through Cleveland County Building Inspections.

Call 980-484-4997 or e-mail Permits.Office@clevelandcountync.gov for application, scheduling, or permit instructions, and to submit applications.

For online inspection results, check your inspection status here.
*You must know your permit number- please select "Contains" from the drop-down menu, type just the numerical permit number, and then select Search.

Apply online at: https://epass.nc.gov/. If you need a replacement EBT card, to reset your EBT PIN number or to check your EBT balance; please contact the EBT Customer Service Office at 1-888-622-7328 .

Apply online at: https://epass.nc.gov/. If you have questions about services covered by Medicaid, please call the NC Medicaid Careline at 1-800-662-7030. 

Energy Assistance (LEIAP/CIP)
Apply online at: https://epass.nc.gov/

You can apply for Child Support Services, review case information, and payment information, and make child support payments online at https://www.ncchildsupport.com/ecoa/ You can also receive information by calling the Child Support Customer Services Center at 1-800-992-9457.

Visit Cleveland County Social Services to learn more.

Couples wishing to be issued a marriage license need to complete the application online prior to coming into our office. Licenses are by appointment.  Please call 704-484-4834 to make an appointment.

Learn more about applying for a marriage license through the Cleveland County Register of Deeds.

The Cleveland County Passport Acceptance Facility is inside the Register of Deeds office.  Applying for and obtaining a passport is quicker & more convenient for our citizens than going outside of the County. We accept Passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. You can view the current wait times on the US Department of State website.

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Passport Applications require an appointment, and appointments are available Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 4 PM.  Please call to schedule an appointment at 704-484-4780.

Learn more about our Passport Acceptance Facility through the Cleveland County Register of Deeds.

One moment that you foster could be a positive lifetime experience in a child’s life! The goal of foster parenting is to make a temporary care commitment to the child while working toward reuniting the child with his/her birth family.

Foster families help children feel secure and assist the child with the tasks of normal development. Foster families also assist the child’s birth family toward reunification by providing information on the child’s progress, cooperating with visitation, and offering support and encouragement to the child’s parent.

For additional information on becoming a Foster Parent, please call (980) 484-6400 and ask to speak with a Foster/Adoption Licensing Social Worker.

To obtain a certified copy of a vital record (Birth, Death, or Marriage Certificate), you will need a valid state-issued ID or valid Passport. You may come to our office at 311 E. Marion St or if you prefer to order online or by mail (see instructions here).

North Carolina law [NCGS 130A-93(c)] specifies that certified copies of certificates are available only to the following people:

• The subject of record
• The subject’s spouse, parent, direct ancestor or descendant, step-parent or step-child, or sibling.
• An attorney or legal representative

The cost for Certified Cleveland County Vital Records is $10.00. If coming to the office to get a certified copy, please have your State-Issued ID with you (No appointment necessary).

Learn more through the Cleveland County Register of Deeds.

Immunizations
Appointments are available through the Cleveland County Health Department (200 S Post Rd, Shelby) Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Walk-in patients are accepted 8:00-11:30 am and 1:00-4:30 pm. Learn more here.


Travel Immunizations
Traveling somewhere?  Need immunizations? For pricing and availability, please call 980-484-5100.

*For a list of what is required for each country, please click here to be redirected to the CDC's website.

Research Land Records here. There are many types of land record recordings including:  

• Assumed Business Names
• Deeds
• Deeds of Trust
• Easements
• Notary Public Oaths (by appointment)
• Plats
• Power of Attorney
• Satisfactions
• Many more types of documents are recorded in our office. Wills are recorded at the Clerk of Court.

Learn more through the Cleveland County Register of Deeds.

Use the Cleveland County GIS tool to see a variety of useful data layers like property lines, zoning districts, and FEMA floodplains.

If you would like to submit a bid on a County project, please review the OPEN BIDS projects listed here. 

The County sells surplus equipment, furniture, and other items through electronic auction via online companies. Instead of limiting bidders and bids to those people who physically attend a public auction, virtually anyone may bid on these auction items from anywhere at any time.

Registration with the online company is required to bid on an item but is not required to view listed items. If you are interested in purchasing used County equipment through auction, please review items for sale at the link below: 

GovDeals
Surplus equipment and vehicles are occasionally listed here.
GovDeals purchases will be online payments only.

PropertyRoom.com
Property Room purchases will be online payments only. 

https://www.iaai.com
Some County vehicles for auction.

The Cleveland County Board of Commissioners appreciates your interest in serving on a Board or Commission and requests that you complete a simple application. This application will provide general information based on your interest in serving on a Board or Commission for the Board of Commissioners to consider in making appointments.

Serving on an appointed board or commission is a meaningful and vital opportunity for citizens to give their time and expertise to the community. The Board of County Commissioners seeks guidance and insight from its citizen boards and committees to help guide and lead the county’s vitality and well-being.

Learn more about each board and apply here.