Pet Policies & Information
Carolina Retreats offers miles of pet friendly beaches for canine family members! We manage a large selection of dog friendly vacation rental homes. Individual house descriptions indicate if dogs are allowed and if so, the number of dogs allowed. Premises that allow pets only allow friendly, housebroken, flea free dogs over 12 months old that are on a veterinarian approved monthly flea/tick treatment and prevention program. Birds, cats, and all other pets are prohibited.
Families that bring dogs are required to follow Carolina Retreat's pet policies.
Carolina Retreats' Pet Policies
Each vacation home description indicates if dogs are allowed in the vacation home and on its premises.
A "No Pets Allowed" or "No Tenant Pets Allowed" stipulation means tenants shall not bring any type of pet to the house.
A "No Pets Allowed" stipulation means no pets are allowed in the vacation home or anywhere on its premises at any time. A "No Tenant Pets" stipulation means tenants are not permitted to have pets in the vacation home or anywhere on the premises at any time, but the homeowners may have pets with them when they are at their vacation home.
- Pets are not permitted on furniture.
- We understand that many dogs naturally shed - guests should take steps to remove pet hair from the interior of the home prior to Check Out. We recommend bringing a lint pick-up tool or lint brush to maintain the interior. Homes provide vacuums for guest use as well.
- If any accidental damages occur such as carpet stains or damage to walls or floors, please notify Carolina Retreats without delay. Unreported pet damages may result in charges to guests.
City Pet Regulations
There are leash laws and "pooper scooper" laws in all three towns on the island. All dogs must display a current rabies vaccination tag and an identification tag. Please review the town ordinances and regulations when you're considering including your four-legged companions in your vacation plans:
Topsail Island Beaches:
Pleasure Island Beaches:
Brunswick County Beaches:
These ordinances are enforced even though they may be less restrictive than those in other beach towns. Failure to follow these laws could result in a civil citations and additional charges.
Pet Safety
Please keep in mind that while the beach is a great place to have fun with your dog, there are safety concerns to consider:
- When heading to the beach, make sure your dog has on a collar with proper identification and contact information. Don’t forget to bring a leash, a poop bag, a water bowl and fresh cool water, and sun protection for your dog.
- Make sure your dog doesn’t get too hot, thirsty, or tired.
- Hot sand and pavement – While we can keep our feet cool in our flip flops, dogs don’t have this protection. The sand, pavement, and sidewalks can be extremely hot for your dog during the summer months.
Water from the ocean or sound – Make sure your dog doesn’t drink water from the ocean or sound. Drinking ocean and sound water can lead to stomach upsets and dehydration due to the high salt content.
Provide a shady resting spot for your dog. Dogs can get sunburned, especially ones with short or light colored hair with pink skin. Talk to your veterinarian about using sun block on your dog. - Keep a close eye on your dog to make sure he doesn’t bother other dogs or people. Make sure your dog doesn’t play with things that may be harmful to him like fishing lines and hooks, dead fish, and jellyfish.
Let your dog dig in the sand as long as he doesn’t throw sand on people. Make sure you fill in the holes before you leave the beach. People have been seriously injured by falling into holes on the beach.
Sand spurs and cacti – Sand spurs and cacti are indigenous to our region and are a safety concern for everyone. These plants are not poisonous but can give an unpleasant and unexpected stick as the spikes on these plants are painful when they pierce the skin. Check for spurs or cacti on your dog’s paws, legs, and fur. - Always clean up waste. Follow town ordinances on waste disposal. We want to make sure to keep the water and beach clean!
- When your beach outing is over, bathe or rinse your dog with fresh water. The salt in the water in the ocean and sound can be harmful to a dog’s coat.
Search Our Beautiful Pet Friendly Vacation Homes
PET HEALTH CARE AND EMERGENCY VETERINARIAN CARE:
Surf City Pet Hospital
910-329-4700
13775 NC Hwy 50 #503
Holly Ridge, NC 28445-6950
Paws and Claws Animal Hospital
910-399-3768
5333 Oleander Dr
Wilmington, NC 28403
Animal Emergency and Trauma Hospital
After hours emergency clinic
910-791-7387
Wilmington, NC
Animal Poison Control Center
888-426-4435
Carolina Beach Animal Hospital
910-458-3000
1337 Bridge Barrier Rd
Carolina Beach, NC
Animal Medical Clinic
910-458-9088
801 St. Joseph St
Carolina Beach, NC
Pleasure Island Animal Hospital
910-458-5800
1140 N Lake Park Blvd J
Carolina Beach, NC
PET GROOMING:
Topsail Island
Spoiled to the Bone Grooming Salon
910-368-7416
311 S. Topsail Dr.
Surf City, NC 28445
Surf City Pawville Boarding, Grooming, and Dog Daycare
910-803-0707
304 Becky's Creek Rd.
Hampstead, NC 28443
Pleasure Island
Janet's Pet Grooming
910-458-3000
1140 N Lake Park Blvd Unit B
Carolina Beach, NC
Meraki Grooming Unleashed
910-742-4402
1140 N Lake Park Blvd Suite J
Carolina Beach, NC
Huggie Bear's Pet Grooming Services
910-458-9191
915 N Lake Park Blvd Unit D
Carolina Beach, NC
