Animals & Pets
NOTICE: Dog Registration Forms(PDF, 134KB) must be submitted in-person at Town Hall, and accompanied by a Rabies Vaccination Form.
During seasonal periods where leashes are required, dogs must remain on their leash in all public beach areas.
They may not be taken off-leash to enter the surf / water.
Additionally:
- Voice command and / or electronic leashes are not recognized as adequate restraints
- All dogs must be physically restrained and under control by owner/keeper at all times (except in areas where exceptions are posted, such as a dog park)
- If a dog exhibits aggression toward other dogs or people, it must be removed from public area immediately.
- Shade and fresh water must be provided for dogs kept outside for extended periods.
- Owners shall properly and promptly remove and dispose of all feces left by their dog(s).
Leashes & Pet Control
Properly leashed dogs are allowed on the beach at any time, and are allowed off their leashes on the beach seasonally from October 15 - March 15, and under certain conditions. Owners must pick up after their dogs, and properly dispose of all droppings.
Summer Safety
If there's one thing Oak Island is especially known for, it is being a welcoming place for pets! Whether you're in one of the Town's Dog Parks, taking an evening stroll on the beach, or even meeting Santa Paws himself, you're almost guaranteed to see someone enjoying life with their furry-four-legged friend!
But just because it may be a perfect day for you, doesn't mean it is ideal for your dog!
Remember the Summer heat can be brutal on dogs, or most all other regular pets. They need plenty of rest, water, and shade when the temperatures climb. Even getting to that shade can be harmful, as hot sand can scorch their soft paws.
Although properly leashed dogs are allowed on the beach at any time, in general it's best to avoid taking them onto the beach during the heat of mid-day. The less-crowded, cooler times of the morning or late evening are often much better.
For more information and pet safety tips, read A Dog's Guide to Summer from the ASPCA.
Dog Parks
Oak Island offers two different dog parks, both on the island and the mainland side:
- (Mainland) Salty Dog Park, located at 4410 Fish Factory Road SE, Southport, NC 28461
- (Island) Hannon A. Templeton Park, located at NE 41st Street and Oak Island Drive
Protective Services
Lost, wild, feral, and general protective services for animals are provided through a division of the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office.
To properly address these concerns, please contact Brunswick County Animal Protective Services at 910-754-8204, or through the Brunswick Sheriff’s Animal Protective Services website.
Wildlife Information
With a diverse ecosystem of wooded forests, swamps, coastal marshes, and sandy beaches, there is no shortage of wildlife to be found in the Cape Fear region! In fact, there are hundreds, if not thousands of species of birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and arachnids that call Oak Island home.
To view more information on the most common Wildlife seen in and around Oak Island, visit the Wildlife Information page.
Roadkill
To report animal carcasses, please contact the Public Works Department by calling 910-201-8083, or using the Department Contact form.
Registration
All dogs living within the Town limits must be registered with the Town of Oak Island. There is no fee for registering a dog, but owners must fill out a Dog Registration Form(PDF, 134KB) and provide proof of their rabies vaccination, in order to get tags. Registering a pet provides Town staff with important information so that in the event a dog going missing, they can be easily and quickly identified. Registering a pet also helps prevent unnecessary fees that could be associated with overnight housing.