Catawba County Emergency Services

09/03/2026

This is an important reminder from the NWS.

Is your source for weather information reliable?🤔⛈️

Social media can be overwhelmed with dubious weather information.

For accurate information that can help you make decisions, rely on your National Weather Service forecasts at weather.gov and other trusted local and national sources.

09/02/2026

08/29/2026

From Catawba County Public Health:

MOBILE PETTING ZOO EVENT MAY HAVE LED TO POTENTIAL RABIES EXPOSURES

Several goats associated with a mobile petting zoo that was at a private event in Hickory (Burke County) on August 9 have tested positive for rabies.

Given the proximity to our county, Catawba County residents may have attended that event and come in contact with the goats while they were potentially infectious.

Because rabies is transmitted through an infected animal’s saliva, we are asking any Catawba County resident who attended that event and touched, held, fed or came in contact with these goats to call our Communicable Disease Nurses at (828) 695-5769.

Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms start. Rabies prophylaxis is important after an exposure because it can prevent symptoms from ever developing.

More information: https://www.catawbacountync.gov/news/party-attendees-may-be-exposed-to-rabies/

08/05/2026

Temporary Suspension of Non-Emergency Owner Surrenders Effective August 18th.

Catawba County Animal Services will be operating with reduced housing capacity for approximately three months during a planned construction project. Under normal operations, our shelter can house 150 cats and 115 dogs.

During construction, available housing will be significantly reduced to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of the animals in our care. As a result, all non-emergency owner surrenders are temporarily suspended until further notice. The project will be completed in three phases, with housing capacity as follows:

Phase One
• Cats: Maximum capacity of 72 (48% of normal capacity; 78 kennels unavailable)
• Dogs: Maximum capacity of 79 (69% of normal capacity; 36 kennels unavailable)

Phase Two
• Cats: Maximum capacity of 133 (89% of normal capacity; 17 kennels unavailable)
• Dogs: Maximum capacity of 81 (70% of normal capacity; 34 kennels unavailable)

Phase Three
• Cats: Maximum capacity of 129 (86% of normal capacity; 21 kennels unavailable)
• Dogs: Maximum capacity of 73 (63% of normal capacity; 42 kennels unavailable)

If you are experiencing an emergency situation involving a pet, please contact our office to speak with a member of our staff. Emergency surrender requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine the most appropriate course of action.

If your pet is experiencing a medical issue, please contact your veterinarian as your first resource for evaluation and treatment. Local veterinary clinics are best equipped to provide medical care and discuss available treatment options for your pet.

We understand this temporary change may create challenges, and we sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding as we complete these important facility improvements. Our team remains committed to restoring full operations as quickly as possible while continuing to provide safe, compassionate, and high-quality care for every animal entrusted to us.

Thank you for your continued support of Catawba County Animal Services.

07/15/2026

Stop by to see the new Hickory EMS base!

07/06/2026

It's that time again! Check out our Senior Adult quarterly newsletter. There is information on being safe in the heat, dehydration, fall prevention, and easy exercises to keep you moving!

07/01/2026

Duke Energy in conjunction with state and county officials will conduct outdoor warning sirens tests today, July 1, around all Duke Energy nuclear plants. This testing is part of normal maintenance to make sure sirens are working properly. Today’s siren test will be a “Growl” test lasting from five to 30 seconds. Follow-up testing of individual sirens may be necessary after the regularly scheduled siren maintenance tests are complete.

No public action is required.

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06/29/2026

Here are some temporary hydration and cooling stations around Catawba County during this extreme heat.