Pets

Pets are a fact of life in community, to be recognized by animal lovers and by those who prefer non-human friends to be at someone else's house. To keep everyone happy and well taken care of, a whole industry exists to feed, house, amuse and maintain pets in health and safety and under control. New Bern hosts an abundance of pet-oriented businesses and services. A few are listed in this chapter, but recommendations of other pet owners is always a good plan. This chapter mentions such businesses as shelters, boarding and grooming services, sitters and trainers, photographers, food suppliers, veterinarians, shops and crematoriums. Some of our listings do not include a street address. These businesses requested that patrons call for location information.

For the last 32 years, Colonial Capital Humane Society has served Craven County with a licensed no-kill cat shelter and pet fostering services, staffed entirely by volunteers. Colonial Capital provides spay and neutering services, free pet food and adoption and foster home opportunities. Through their website, the Humane Society accepts applications for adoption and fostering animals. There is always a need for volunteers to work and to help with fund-raisers. Donations may be sent to P.O. Box 326, New Bern, 28563.

Safe Harbor Farm is a nonprofit organization serving rescued dogs and cats, but does not generally accept animals from the private sector. It sponsors kindness clinics for caretakers of needy animals with low-cost spay-neuter clinics run entirely by volunteers and donations. Those eligible include low-income families, families with three or more pets, and certified rescue groups. The group also monitors colonies of cats and offers vaccine clinics and heartworm clinics. Adoptions are by application and appointment, and kindness services are always by appointment. Donations and volunteers are always needed.

Pet-boarding facilities and pet-sitting services are readily available in New Bern, and some veterinarian offices also offer temporary care. Calling ahead is a good idea, as is visiting the facility to avoid surprises the day before departure. All facilities require proof of up-to-date pet vaccinations.

Animal Care Center of New Bern offers boarding services for cats and dogs, each in separate air-conditioned areas. The staff also provides bathing for dogs and gentle cats as part of the boarding. Animal Care has complete veterinarian services and sells prescription pet foods and supplies.

Lynaire Kennels and Crematory offers a wide array of services. Pet owners can board their dogs and cats here and let the pets enjoy individual areas with indoor and outdoor runs for dogs. Cat condo suites are also available. Lynaire provides grooming and bathing services and they sell a variety of collars, leads, wellness products and all-natural pet foods. When your special pet dies, Lynaire offers crematory services and can return the pet to the owner, to the vet's office or dispose of the ashes. They also offer special urns.

The Pet Spa offers boarding for dogs and cats. Each guest enjoys a private run, and owners may purchase pet foods and supplies, grooming services, baths and nail maintenance for boarders or service only visitors. Next door, Ridgeway Animal Clinic provides full veterinarian services.

Ridgeway Animal Clinic provides complete veterinarian services. The Pet Spa next door offers boarding with private runs for dogs and cats. Owners may purchase pet foods and supplies, grooming services, baths and nail maintenance for pets being boarded or pets needing services only.

Weller Kennels offers boarding, training and professional care for dogs. Dogs have indoor/outdoor runs that are heated and cooled. They also have a vet on call 24 hours a day to address any issues that might come up. Weller offers 31 years of professional dog-training experience and care for all breeds. They also train and breed dogs, specializing in AKC champion bloodline black, yellow and chocolate Labrador retrievers, Chesapeake Bay retrievers and golden retrievers.

We list businesses specializing in pet trims and grooming, and some veterinarian offices also provide such services. Picking up a happy, freshly bathed pet at one of New Bern's grooming services is a pleasure hard to beat.

Paw 'n Claws is a pet-grooming studio operating by appointment. Full-service pet care means baths, clipper work and nail and ear cleaningfor non-aggressive dogs.

New Bern waterfront and historic district, in fact most New Bern neighborhoods, are wonderful places to enjoy walking with leashed pets. For the master and mistress, beautiful homes, lovely gardens, great old trees and plentiful water vistas provide interest. For the pet, shrubbery and undergrowth carry calling cards from any number of previous visitors and frequent stops yield a wealth of information. Of course, every area requires responsible clean-up after pets, and any pet shop can provide tools to keep walkways pleasant for all. Finally, New Bern has a designated Dog Park at 340 Glenburnie Drive where canine friends love to meet.

Adrian Henson Photography is a prize-winning portrait studio providing cutting edge photography in Eastern North Carolina. In a mix of traditional and contemporary shots against such backgrounds as the beaches or Tryon Palace gardens, Henson effectively captures in the finished work, the essence of each of his high school senior, bride and commercial clients. Pet photography, like portrait work, can be in color or black and white, mounted on high quality paper or canvas, and custom framed. Consultation may be arranged by telephone.

Images by Rodger provides professional photography services for all occasions, specializing in pet portraits. Sittings for pets or for people may be arranged at a special site or at home if that is more comfortable or convenient for the subject.

Larry Conley can create a keepsake portrait of a special occasion, a family pet or a family. This professional photographer works with subjects at his studio or is happy to arrange for a portrait at clients' homes or another special site.

Offering services to residents of New Bern and the immediate surrounding area, Michelle's Professional Pet Sitting provides the kind of attention every pet deserves. The bonded and insured service is a member of Pet Sitters International. Satisfied clients know that the advantages of allowing pets to stay at home are directly involved with pet health and well being. In-house care means staff members walk and feed pets, administer medications and transport animals to scheduled vet or grooming visits. Owners come home to happy pets.

Weller offers 33 years of professional dog-training experience and care for all breeds. The couple trains and breeds dogs, specializing in AKC champion bloodline black, yellow and chocolate Labrador retrievers, Chesapeake Bay retrievers and golden retrievers. The Dog Obedience classes provide all levels of training, for competitive athlete dogs, hunting companion dogs and for family pets. Weller Kennels also offers boarding, with each dog having a heated and cooled indoor/outdoor run. They have a vet on call 24 hours a day to address any issues immediately.