Foothills Humane Society provides intake to stray animals from Polk County, North Carolina and, when capacity permits, Landrum, Campobello and Gowensville, South Carolina. Upon intake of a stray animal, the animal is checked for a microchip and every effort is made to contact the owner listed with the microchip. Because FHS must undertake specific intake procedures as well as feed, water, and house the animal until the owner retrieves it, FHS must charge a Return to Home Fee. This fee is established below:
- Boarding fees:
- $20 if microchipped animal is retrieved within the first 24 hours.
- $35 if non-microchipped animal is retrieved within the first 24 hours.
- $15 per day boarding fee for animals remaining in the shelter over 24 hours
- After 72 hours, additional expenses for veterinary costs incurred may apply
Boarding fees will be suspended for owners that can provide proof of government assistance or limited income. This can be done by providing any of the following:
- Medicaid card
- EBT (Food Stamp card)
- WIC Paperwork
- Tax return (front page only)
- Recent W2
- Paycheck Stub
- Unemployment Paperwork
Any animal not microchipped will be microchipped prior to returning home at no additional cost to the owner. Upon 72-hour hold period in the shelter with no owner contact, State law provides that the animal becomes FHS property. At this point, the animal has been tested, vaccinated, etc., and will not be released without being spayed or neutered.
Polk County Animal Control Ordinance Section 15 part 6a states that, “any person adopting or reclaiming any animal at the animal shelter shall have the animal vaccinated prior to leaving the shelter.” Therefore, owners reclaiming their animals must either provide proof that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies or must provide permission to FHS to vaccinate the animal prior to leaving the shelter.