The nearest ERs, urgent care and vets.
The closest ERs, urgent care that's open on weekends, the dog rules on the beach, and where to take the dog at 2am.
Hospitals & ERs
The island has no hospital or ER. The nearest are in Southport and Bolivia, and the regional trauma center is in Wilmington.
Dosher Memorial Hospital
ER open 24/7 · 910-457-3800
924 N Howe St, Southport. A nonprofit community hospital with an emergency department.
Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center
ER open 24/7 · 910-721-1000
240 Hospital Dr NE, Bolivia. A full-service hospital with emergency, surgery, imaging and maternity care.
Novant Health New Hanover Regional
ER open 24/7 · 910-667-7000
2131 S 17th St, Wilmington. A Level II trauma center verified by the American College of Surgeons.
Urgent care
We couldn't confirm any urgent care clinic on the island itself. The closest are on NC-211 in Southport.
Carolina QuickCare
Mon–Sat 8am–8pm · Sun 9am–6pm · 910-721-5065
5010 Southport Crossing Way (the Lowes Foods center). Walk-ins welcome.
Med First Southport
Mon–Thu 7am–4pm only · closed Fri–Sun · 910-269-2053
5130 Southport-Supply Rd SE.
Dog rules on the beach
Dogs are allowed on Oak Island's beach all year. What changes is the leash. These are the Town of Oak Island's rules; Caswell Beach at the east end is its own town with its own rules.
Leash season
Dogs must be on a physical leash on the beach. Electronic collars don't count. The Town's Animals & Pets page gives the fall changeover as Oct 14/15 while the Beach Rules page says Oct 15, so check the sign at your access that week.
Off-leash season
Dogs may run off leash where the signs at the beach access allow it, under voice and visual control, never left alone, and not greeting people or other dogs without permission. Even then, the Town says no letting them off leash to play in the surf or go into the water.
Fines and the dunes
Pick up after your dog all year and stay off the dunes (use the accesses). The Town's Beach Rules page lists $100 for a first violation and $200 for a second; after that it can become a criminal charge.
Dog parks
Templeton Dog Park is a free fenced off-leash park on the island. Salty Dog Park at Bill Smith Park (4410 Fish Factory Rd SE, mainland side) has separate small-dog (25 lb and under) and large-dog sides. Both free.
Veterinarians
Oak Island Animal Hospital
Mon–Thu 8:30am–5:30pm · Fri 8:30am–2pm · closed weekends · 910-278-7575
5520 E Oak Island Dr.
Southport Animal Hospital
Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Sat 8am–noon · 910-457-5051
4955 Southport-Supply Rd SE.
Four Paws Veterinary Hospital
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8am–5pm · by appointment · 910-457-7387
4320 Southport-Supply Rd SE #500.
Brunswick Animal Hospital
Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Sat 8am–noon · 910-939-2393
948 Ocean Hwy W, Supply.
Eastern Carolina Veterinary Medical Center
Open 24 hours, 7 days · 910-790-1070
50 Greenville Ave, Wilmington. This is where to go nights and weekends, when the local vets are closed.
Dog rules: the Town of Oak Island's Animals & Pets and Beach Rules pages, and Sec. 4-46 of the Town ordinance (Unrestrained Dogs), which the Town cites; the Town is the final word. Hours come from each hospital's or clinic's own website, checked September 2026. Hospital emergency departments are open around the clock; the clinic and vet hours come from each one's own page. Listings are not endorsements.