Donate

Donation Programs

As employees of the AC&C, we strive to provide the best care for the animals and to educate the public on the best way to care for their pets.  However, our operating budget does not allow us to do as much as we would like.  Therefore, we are asking for your help.​

​​You can choose to donate to multiple funds by adding comments explaining what amount you'd like in each fund​.

If you can't decide which fund you want to donate to, you can choose the General Assistance Fund.​

Scroll down the page to see the programs you can monetarily donate to and click the + sign to read more about them. When you're ready to donate, click the heart button at the bottom of this page.

Due to the health and safety of the animals in our care, there are certain items that we cannot take:

  • Anything that has stuffing such as pillows and stuffed animals.
  • Anything that is chunky that might become an obstruction such as raw hide bones.
  • Anything broken or even semi-broken.
  • Heavily worm cloth materials such as towels that have large holes or are heavily frayed.

We receive an average of 60 animals a day through our doors.  Oftentimes adoptable animals that are sick or injured must be humanely euthanized due to a lack of funds to provide the medical care for them.  This fund is designed to provide additional money specifically for the care of these animals.  A tax-deductible donation earmarked for the Medical Fund will make it possible for the veterinary staff to provide:

  • Treatment for Heartworm disease

  • Further testing or examinations not possible at the shelter

  • Equipment and supplies to enable more treatments to be done at the shelter

  • Additional training of vet staff on new procedures


If you would like to help the pets with special needs that come through our doors, you can:

Donate online! Choose "second chance medical".

Send a check to:

Animal Care & Control
c/o Second Chance​
8315 Byrum
Charlotte, NC 28217

​​Please make checks to City of Charlotte and earmark it for the 2nd Chance Medical Fund.
Or you can stop by to donate a check or cash at the shelter and visit our adoptables while you're there.

AC&C Free Community Spay/Neuter Clinics were created to reduce the number of puppies and kittens arriving at AC&C. We encourage citizens to investigate all spay/neuter options available for your pet prior to submitting an application to AC&C Free Community Spay/Neuter Clinic. The program is prepared to accept a limited number of applications from residents of Mecklenburg County only who are unable to provide for the sterilization needs of their family pets.


AC&C Free Community Spay/Neuter Clinics are being funded with private donations and grant money. (It is not part of an operational budget.) The availability of donations and grant money has been drastically reduced due to the unstable economy. Unfortunately, the clinics can continue only as long as funding is available. Once our current funds are exhausted, the clinics will be discontinued.  Please use your local veterinarian or the Humane Society of Charlotte's low cost spay/neuter clinic if you are financially able.


To help Mecklenburg County residents get their pets spayed or neutered (which will help to bring down the pet over-population) you can:

Donate online!​ Choose "spay neuter fund".

Send a check to:

Animal Care & Control
c/o Second Chance
8315 Byrum Dr
Charlotte, NC 28217

Please make sure your check is made out to City of Charlotte​ and earmarked for the Spay/Neuter Fund.

Or you can stop by to donate a check or cash and visit our animals while you're there!

The Animal Enrichment program brings a focus to the mental, behavioral and emotional health of shelter dogs.  By utilizing positive reinforcement training, play time, and environmental enrichment we intend to meet the following goals:

  • Increase adoptions

  • Decrease stress and related behaviors

  • Decrease the number of days animals spend in our facility

  • Decrease the chances that an animal will be returned to a shelter

We have a huge need for hot dogs and cubed cheese! These high-value food items are used by our on-staff trainer and other trained volunteers. If you would like to donate these food items please drop them off at the front counter and let the staff know it is for the Animal Enrichment program.

Please also check out Amazon Wishlist to donate toys for our animals!

If you would like to donate funds to help purchase items needed for the Animal Enrichment program you can:

Donate online! Click on "Animal Enrichment Fund/Training".

Mail in a check to:
Animal Care & Control
c/o Train to Adopt
8315 Byrum Dr
Charlotte, NC 28217

Please make sure your checks are made out to City of Charlotte and earmarked for the Animal Enrichment Fund.

Come to the shelter to drop off cash, check and or treats for the dogs (such as hot dogs and cheese) at the shelter and visit our adoptables while you're there.

AC&C does their best to make our ado​ptable pets as comfortable as possible during their time here until they find their forever homes. The following items below are supplies that we always need. You can buy these items and ship them directly to our shelter. The animals thank you!

  • Newspapers

  • New or gently used blankets, towels, and hand towels - UPDATE 1/15 thanks to your generosity, we are overflowing with blankets and towels so these items are not needed at this time.

  • Brown paper bags

  • Shoe boxes of all sizes

  • Bath mats

  • Fleece blankets

  • Baby blankets

  • Laundry bags

  • Storage bins (all kinds, bigger is better)

  • Plastic vinyl bags (the kind that bed comforters are in)​

You can find some of these items on our Amazon Wishlist​​. 

If you would like to send a donation to help us purchase any of these supplies, you can:

​Donate online! ​​Choose "General Donation Fund".

Animal Care & Control does their best to make our ado​ptable pets as comfortable as possible during their time here until they find their forever homes. The following items below are supplies that we always need. You can buy these items and ship them directly to our shelter. The animals thank you!

Most of the items listed below are on our Amazon Wishlist​ where you can purchase and send supplies directly to our shelter.​ If you would like to hold a donation drive, below are the main items.

*We always need kongs for cats, kittens, puppies and dogs, Nylabones, treat balls, and so much more.
Other items that you can purchase and donate:

  • Dog/puppy and cat/kitten canned food

  • Baby animal milk replacement

  • Small animal food (bold are the animals we get the most): parrot, small birds, ferret, frog, guinea pig, rabbit, iguana, hamster, rat, mice, gerbil

  • For small animals: treats, timothy or oat hay, water bottles and litter pans​

  • Food/water bowls

  • Heating pads (without an auto shutoff)

  • Kuranda Cots (scroll down to the bottom of the page to learn more)

  • Soft Paws (scroll down to the bottom of the page to learn more)

  • Cases of bottled water (any brand)​

  • Hand Sanitizer

  • Gently used toys and beds for dogs/cats

  • Leashes and collars

  • Cat nip (even better...toddler-sized socks with cat nip inside)

  • Essential oils: peppermint, lavender, lemon grass, eucalyptus, and sweet orange​

  • Dog/Cat wipes​​

  • Storage bins (all kinds, bigger is better)

  • Plastic vinyl bags (the kind that bed comforters are in)​​


Kuranda Cots

How would you like to sleep on hard concrete or metal surface? Well, the dogs and cats don't like it either. We find that many dogs and cats ​like to sleep on these soft Kuranda Cots.

Here's how you can help us provide these cots to all our canine and feline residents:

Click he​re to order directly from the Kuranda Cot website. The shelter's name of CMPD Animal Control Bureau must be selected.

a puppy sleeps peacefully on a kuranda cot

Soft Paws

Soft Paws is a product invented specifically for cats. Since every cat has the natural desire to scratch things they sometimes scratch furniture and carpet ​rather than scratching posts made for cats. Some people don't like the idea of a cat scratching up their furniture or expensive rugs so they choose to declaw their cat at a veterinarian.

Declawing a cat is like amputating the end of your finger (including your finger nail). An alternative to cutting off the tip of your cats' toes are Soft Paws. They are easy to put on and prevent your cat from scratching anything in the household. Most cats don't even know they are wearing any.

The cap is filled with non-toxic glue and is placed on the cats freshly cut nails. Then, when a cap or two falls off, then it is time to trim the nails (cutting the rest of the caps off with the nail trimming) and place brand new ones on.

They come in a variety of colors and can be switched over at each nail trim.


We like to use these at Animal Care & Control for a variety of reasons. One main reason, to keep the public safe from accidental scratches during interactions. Another reason, they make black colored cats stand out from the rest. We are always in need of these Soft Paws and you can help make sure that we have a good supply by sending us an order of Soft Paws.

cat wearing soft paw caps on her nails

If you would like to send a donation to help us purchase any of these supplies, you can:

​Donate online!

Choose "animal enrichment fund/training" for the purchase of kongs, nyalbones.

OR choose "general assistance fund" for the purchase of our other items needed, such as: KMR, canned food, cots, and more.

If you want to help in more than one area, you can choose multiple donation funds and specify the amount you'd like to donate to each fund in the comments section.​

Send a check or order directly to:
    Animal Care & Control
    8315 Byrum Drive
    Charlotte, NC 28217

Be sure to make the check out to “City of Charlotte” and earmark it for "animal enrichment fund".​

*Kids also always want to try to help out our animals or animals around the community. Below is a list of items that can be found around your own home that kids can collect via a donation drive:

  • Newspapers

  • Plastic grocery bags

  • New or gently used blankets, towels, and hand towels

  • Brown paper bags

  • Shoe boxes of all sizes

  • Cat charmers (a toy or feather tied to a string and tied to a stick which can be made at home)​

  • Fleece blankets

  • Bath mats

  • Laundry bags


Blanket Program

*Kids can make blankets:

  • Bl​ankets that are handmade and loving crafted to be used for our dogs and cats in their kennels (all sizes). You can ​find instructions on how to make blankets here.


a group of kids with hand made blankets that were donated


Dog Coat Program

*Kids can help with making dog coats for the shelter dogs:

Rachel Schul developed sewn and colorful, fun fleece coats for our shelter dogs to help keep them toasty warm every winter. She is always looking for sewers, as well as helpers who can cut coat patterns. She is always in need of donated fleece material, sewing thread, or monetary donations to buy this material to make more coats.

  • If you would like to donate towards this project you can:

    • Donate online! Choose "general assistance fund" and put "dog coats" in the comment section.

    • Send all materials or monetary donations to Animal Care & Control, 8315 Byrum Dr, Charlotte 28217. Checks need to be made out to City of Charlotte and earmark it for "Dog Coats".

  • If you would like to get your kids involved in a "coat cutting party", and/or can help sew coats​ please contact AC&C's Julia Conner at jconner@cmpd.org​. ​


rachel making a panther dog coat
dog wearing a dog coat​


Do It Yourself Cat Scratchers

*Kids make make cat scatchers at home for our shelter cats:

Any cat loves to scratch their nails on cardboard and trees. Why? It's to help them trim their nails and keep them sharp to fend of enemies. It's also a good source of stretching their muscles. Kids can make these right at home with easy to find material. Watch the two YouTube videos on how to make your own:
Video 1​
Video 2​

Dog House Program

*Kids in 4-H or Scouts who ​need to earn a building badge can build dog houses to help the animals in their community.

​Often times our AC&C Officers come across dog owners who don’t realize the laws and ordinances regarding proper pet containment and provisions for dogs who live outside.  We educate these owners on the proper needs their dog. One of the most important needs is proper shelter. Sometimes owners simply can’t afford even the most basic shelter.

It’s our mission to bring them into compliance rather than forcing them to owner surrender their dog. When we have an inventory of donated dog houses we will supply them one. Once they receive the dog house, we will have follow-up visits to ensure they are staying in compliance with our ordinances and providing the proper care for their dog.

We rely on groups and organizations to help supply us with dog houses for this program.

donated hand built dog houses

*They can also hold a Pet Food drive. More info found on the drop down menu.*

 

​America's economic crisis is forcing more and more families to make the difficult decision to give up their pets because they can no longer afford to feed them. AC&C came up with the Pet Food Bank to assist income-eligible families with food for their dogs and cats to make sure families can keep their pets.

What is needed?

  • All types of pet food are needed – dry and canned food for dogs, cats, puppies and kittens.

  • We WILL accept open bags of dry pet food so if your pet didn't like that new food you bought, we'll take it!

  • Smaller bags of 10 pounds or less are preferred because they are easier to store and distribute but we will take any donation you are willing to give.

How can you help?

  • Hold a donation drive or fundraiser at your church or business

  • Ask for pet food donations instead of gifts at the next party

  • It's a great way for scout troops to gain badges!

 

I​f you would like to help owners keep their pets through difficult times you can:

Donate online! Choose "general assistance fund" and place "pet food bank" in the comment section.

Send a check to:

Animal Care & Control
c/o Pet Food Bank
8315 Byrum Dr
Charlotte, NC 28217

Please make sure that your check is made out to the City of Charlotte and earmarked for the Pet Food Bank.

Or you can stop by to donate a check, cash, and/or food donations at the shelter​ and visit our animals while you're there!

​

Collection Photos:
Thank you to all the individuals and organizations that have already provided donations to the pet food bank. Your generosity is going a long way to keeping pets with their families. Check out your pictures here!

If you are planning a drive or held a drive, don't forget to send us pictures! Send them to our Facebook Page via private message. Be sure to include your name and organization/group/party information and we'll get them posted.​​

a pile and bin filled with dry dog and cat food donations for the pet food bank​​

Need assistance with feeding your pet? Come to the shelter to see if we have any donated food available during our regular business hours.

8315 Byrum Dr
Charlotte 28217

11:00am - 7:00pm Weekdays
11:00am - 5:00pm Weekends​

You can also check with the Humane Society of Charlotte​ to see if they have any pet food available.​

​Kitten season always starts the beginning of spring and when the weather is unseasonably warm, we know that we will have our hands full by April. Our staff and dedicated foster parents are always on hand to save as many as bottle-baby and young kittens that need time to grow up, gain weight, and sometimes learn to be social with people. But we could always use more volunteers willing to be foster parents. Check out our Foster page to learn more about our fostering program which helps save lives.

In 2016 we were able to save over 1,000 bottle-baby and young kittens thanks to our foster parents, volunteers, marketing partners, and staff. We've learned that when the weather gets warm that we will soon have our hands full with more bottle-baby and young kittens that need time in a home before they are ready for adoption.

Help us save lives by donating money and supplies to give to foser parents who graciously take babies into their home. Consider donating items from our Amazon Wishlist​ which can be purchased and sent directly to our shelter.

  • ​KMR 12oz cans
  • Snuggle safe warming disks
  • Fleece blankets
  • Baby blankets
  • Bathroom mats
  • Laundry bags
  • "Pet Nurser" 2oz and 4oz bottles
  • Cone shaped nipples
  • Plastic bin storage containers 30-50qt size - prefer clear
  • Small flat metal bowls as low as you can find
  • Fancy Feast canned cat food: classic pate - non-fish based
  • Royal Canin Mother and Baby cat food (3.5lb bags)

Donate online! Choose "Kitten Supplies".

Send a check to:

Animal Care & Control
c/o Second Chance​
8315 Byrum
Charlotte, NC 28217

​​Please make checks to City of Charlotte and earmark it for kitten supplies.
Or you can stop by to donate a check, cash, or supplies at the shelter and visit our adoptables while you're there.

​HASS Giving is an initiative by the AC&C's Human Animal Support Services (HASS) Team that provides care packages of essential items to community members and their pets who need support during the holiday season.

Fulfilling the organization's goal of keeping pets and people together, the HASS team works closely with community members to help find viable solutions to animal care and ownership challenges. With the season of giving and cooler weather ahead, HASS team members will carry and distribute care packages to those needing additional support.

 We are asking members of the public to participate by making donations of small food and personal items to place in the packages beginning November 9 through November 23.

The HASS team will distribute the packages during the month of December.

You can find the list of items needed on our Amazon Wish list.

Items may also be donated in-person at the shelter located at 8315 Byrum Dr. Charlotte, NC.

Financial donations are also welcome. Be sure to check mark HASS Giving when making a monetary donation.

​You can also donate through our Amazon Wish List. We have several lists depending on what you wish to send.

Specialty items:

  • Wading pools

  • Kuranda Cots for dogs and cats. Order directly from the Kuranda Cot website. The shelter's name of CMPD Animal Care & Control must be selected.

 

Donate to your favorite cause online!>>

Checks and supplies can be sent to:​

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control
8315 Byrum Dr.
Charlotte, NC  28217​​

You can send in a general donation to be used at our discretion; or you can read about the programs listed below and earmark your donation for a specific cause. 

Thank you for your assistance.