Craven County Sheriff’s Office - Animal Protective Services

06/13/2026

06/07/2026

Please call 252-633-2357 if you see him.

UPDATE 6/7/26 5:40 PM - K-9 Elliot Located

K-9 Elliot was located near the Sheriffs Office and is ok.

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Missing K-9 Officer

On June 7, 2026, K-9 Officer Elliot went missing following a training exercise at the Craven County Sheriff’s Office, located at 1100 Clarks Road New Bern, N.C.

K-9 Elliot was last seen entering the woods near the Sheriff’s Office.

Anyone who sees K-9 Elliot is asked to contact Craven County Communications at 252-633-2357.

06/01/2026

🐾❤️ A Huge Thank You to Our Community ❤️

Today was a perfect reminder of what makes our community so special.

A sweet cat named Secret had been missing for 4–5 days, and her worried owner never gave up hope. When Secret was finally spotted, she was perched high up in a very tall tree and unable to get down on her own.

Thanks to the kindness and compassion of our community, help arrived quickly. We would especially like to thank Maple Springs Tree Service for stepping up and helping us safely bring Secret back to the ground where she belongs.

It takes a village sometimes, and today was proof of that. From the owner who kept searching, to the people who shared information, to the professionals who donated their time and expertise, everyone played a part in bringing this story to a happy ending.

Secret is now safely reunited with her family, and we couldn't be more grateful for the animal-loving people who make moments like this possible.

Thank you, Maple Springs Tree Service, and thank you to everyone who helped make this rescue a success. 🐱🌳❤️

🐾

05/29/2026

🐾 Craven County Sheriff’s Office Animal Protective Services 🐾

We currently have an abundance of dog food available and would love to help families in need keep their pets fed. If you are struggling to provide food for your dogs, please reach out to us. We will do our best to bring food out to you when possible.

Please call and leave a message at: 252-639-4256

When leaving a message, please include:
• Your name
• Contact phone number
• Address

No judgment, just help. Keeping pets in their homes and cared for is always our goal. 🐶❤️

Friends of Craven County Sheriff's Office
Craven-Pamlico Animal Services

05/19/2026

As temperatures continue to rise here in Craven County and surrounding areas, please remember that the heat is just as dangerous for our pets as it is for us.

Our county ordinances require that pets have proper shade, shelter, and access to fresh, clean water at all times. But during these extreme temperatures, we strongly encourage pet owners to go a step further.

A simple plastic 5-gallon bucket filled with cool water and placed in a shaded area can help dogs cool themselves down quickly. Kiddie pools are also an amazing and inexpensive way to help outside dogs regulate their body temperature and get relief from the heat.

Some people may think these things are unnecessary but they can truly be lifesavers. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can happen fast, especially for outside pets, senior animals, flat-faced breeds, and dogs with heavy coats.

Please check on your animals frequently, make sure water bowls are full and clean, and remember that pavement, dirt, and metal surfaces can become dangerously hot. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws.

Protect your pets. A little extra effort in this heat can save a life. 🐾

Friends of Craven County Sheriff's Office
Craven-Pamlico Animal Services

04/13/2026

✨️This week is Animal Protective Service Officer Appreciation Week, and we want to take a moment to recognize the incredible work our APS Officers do every single day.

These officers are out there at all hours
handling everything from stray animals and cruelty cases to helping keep our community safe. It’s not always easy work, and it often goes unseen, but it makes a real difference for both people and animals.

Animal Protective Service Officers wear many hats. One minute, they’re responding to a call; the next, they’re rescuing an injured animal, reuniting a lost pet with its family, or educating the public. It takes patience, compassion, and a whole lot of dedication.

We’re proud to have them as part of our team, and we appreciate everything they do for our community.

If you see an Animal Protective Service Officer this week, take a second to say thank you they’ve earned it. 🐾

Friends of Craven County Sheriff's Office
HLB Photography

04/02/2026

🚨🐱 TREE CAT UPDATE

Since MONDAY… yes, MONDAY… this adventurous little feline decided it wanted to live its best squirrel life and took up residence in a tree

💥 ENTER: G&D Lawn Care

These guys showed up, stepped up, and SAVED. THE. DAY.

Cat is safe, community member is relieved, and we are forever grateful ❤️

Huge THANK YOU to G&D Lawn Care and Maintenance for going above and beyond when no one else was available. You didn’t just trim lawns today… you saved a life

03/20/2026

We are so happy to be a part of her journey Everyone Welcome Vex ❤️

Craven County Sheriff’s Office Welcomes New K-9 Following Animal Cruelty Conviction

On August 18, 2025, Craven County Animal Protective Services (APS) Bureau discovered a Malinois, now known as Vex, tethered without access to basic necessities such as shelter, food, & water on Taylor Road in the Harlowe Community of Craven County.

Following a failure to comply with county ordinances and a history of similar offenses, the homeowner was charged with three counts of animal cruelty and two counts of failure to vaccinate and subsequently found guilty.

APS seized three dogs located on the property. During the legal proceedings, the homeowner surrendered the animals.

After a rigorous evaluation by K-9 Reflection and the Craven County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Bureau, K-9 Vex demonstrated exceptional potential for law enforcement.

We are pleased to announce that the former victim is now a K-9 Deputy completing K-9 handler school with Deputy Barnett, preparing to patrol the same streets where K-9 Vex was once neglected.

*Photo of K-9 Vex provided by HLB Photography*

03/15/2026

⚠️ PSA FOR PET OWNERS – SEVERE WEATHER COMING MONDAY ⚠️

A strong storm system is expected to move through our area on Monday, bringing high winds, heavy rain, and the potential for hail.

Please take a few minutes now to make a plan for your pets.

🐾 Bring pets indoors if possible. Strong winds can damage fencing, blow open gates, or send debris flying that could injure animals.

🐾 Check your yards and gates. Make sure everything is secure before letting pets outside.

🐾 Prepare a safe place inside your home where pets can stay calm and protected during the storm.

🐾 Have supplies ready such as food, water, medications, and leashes in case you need to move quickly.

Storms like this can be scary and dangerous for animals, and taking a few extra precautions now can keep them safe.

Please share this reminder and help keep our community’s pets protected. 🐶🐱

📞 If you need us, don’t hesitate to call: 252-633-2357. Stay safe everyone!

03/09/2026

🐾 FREE DOG FOOD GIVEAWAY 🐾

Animal Protective Services will be hosting a Pet Food Giveaway for community members who may need a little help feeding their furry family members.

📍 Location: Sheriff’s Office
1100 Clarks Road

🕒 Time: 3-5 PM tomorrow 03/10/2026

We will be giving away dog food while supplies last, so please arrive on time. This is first-come, first-served.

Our goal is to help keep pets fed, healthy, and at home with the families who love them. ❤️🐶
If you or someone you know could use a little extra help, please stop by!