Topsail Island is known as one of the most pet-friendly beaches along North Carolina’s coastline.
Topsail Island is known as one of the most pet-friendly beaches along North Carolina’s coastline.
Topsail Island is known as one of the most pet-friendly beaches along North Carolina’s coastline.
Topsail Island is home to three beach towns – North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Topsail Beach.
The common rules of thumb for all three towns include:
Never leave a pet in a locked, unattended vehicle, even for a few minutes. Temperatures in vehicles can rise quickly and kill a pet.
Always pick up your pet’s waste. Trash receptacles are located at beach accesses for your convenience.
Never allow your dog to drink saltwater. This can cause severe illness in a dog.
Make certain your dog wears appropriate identification tags, in the event your dog becomes separated from your family.
All three towns will not tolerate the cruel treatment of animals. Appropriate charges will be filed against offenders.
Pet owners will find that many restaurants are pet-friendly too. Several restaurants offer outdoor dining, such as Shaka Taco, Beach Bums, and Beach Shop & Grill. Be sure to check the restaurant’s guidelines.
Each town has leash specifications for the protection of your pet.
In the Town of North Topsail Beach, dogs must always be on a leash. While walking or exercising off the premises or property of the owner or vacationer, the dog must be restrained by a leash connected to a collar or harness. The leash must be strong enough to keep the dog from breaking free. The leash is not to be longer than 25-ft. in length.
Pet owners must always be in control of their dogs.
In the Town of North Topsail Beach, violations of the leash law and failure to pick up dog waste will result in a $100 fine.
In Surf City, dogs are permitted on the beach if they are on a leash no longer than 10-ft.
In Topsail Beach, dogs are permitted on the beach but must be on a leash no longer than 20-ft. The
Town of Topsail Beach enforces this rule May 15-Sept. 30 each year. Topsail Beach is the only beach that allows dogs to run off-leash in the off-season. However, dogs must always be under the owner’s control and owners must always pick up pet waste.
