138 adoptions in a day. Wake County opens hearts and homes to save pets’ lives.
This story was updated Aug. 4, 2023.
The Wake County Animal Center adopted out over 50 animals Thursday, after sounding the alarm that they were “completely full” and might need to start euthanizing unwanted pets to make space for new arrivals.
“Today, 20 dogs and 34 cats found their forever homes and we couldn’t be more grateful for the love and compassion,” the center said on social media. Two rabbits and a guinea pig were also adopted.
“We do not have to euthanize at this point thanks to your tremendous support that has given us some breathing space,” the post continued. “However, we must continue at this pace.”
Another 37 dogs and 47 cats all have pending adoptions and will be going home with new owners after they receive their vaccines, microchip identification and spay and neuter surgeries, according to a Friday news release.
“There are so many factors playing into this surge of homeless pets across the country and we need to start working to change the root causes,” Wake County Commissioner Susan Evans in the release. “Thanks to our residents, the center has a bit of room to breathe, but animals continue to arrive in huge numbers, so we are hopeful that yesterday’s incredible outpouring continues.”
Here’s a look at what’s happened at the shelter since Wednesday:
- Dogs: 97, down from 114
- Puppies: 7, down from 12
- 37 dogs pending adoption
- 67 dogs/puppies available for adoption
- Cats: 25, down from 42
- Kittens: 35, down from 52
- 47 cats pending adoption
- 13 cats/kittens available for adoption
- 84 pets living with foster families
- Strays (on hold for owners to reclaim): 9, down from 35
‘We’ve worked so hard’
The shelter had been “overwhelmed” with more than 208 dogs and cats arriving in the last seven days, the county said in a news release on Wednesday.
Animals that had been at the shelter longer than three weeks would be the first to be euthanized, the county said.
“We’ve worked so hard to avoid having to euthanize for space,” Dr. Jennifer Federico, director of the Animal Center, said in the news release. “We’ve offered discounts and free adoptions almost monthly, we’ve worked to expand our space within our current building, but now, more than ever, we’re seeing people giving up their dogs at a startling rate, leaving our shelter continually near capacity or overcapacity.”
The shelter is hoping it doesn’t need to resort to putting the animals down during the ongoing space crunch.
▪ Dogs and cats that have been at the shelter for more than 15 days are now available to adopt at no-cost.
▪ All adopted pets are vaccinated, spayed or neutered and microchipped before they are sent home with a family. Normally dogs cost $95, cats under 5 years old are $45 and older cats are $15.
▪ Shelter officials also are reaching out to partner rescue groups to find homes for 220 animals that need a home immediately. There already are 72 pets living with foster families, the news release said.
No new appointments for surrender are available. The animal center is asking people who want to surrender their animals to re-home their pet or hold off on surrendering the animal.
An ongoing problem
This is not the first time that the Wake County Animal Center has waived adoption fees to try to prevent adoptable pets from being killed. The center issued four pleas for adoptions in 2022 after nearly running out of space.
So far this year, the center has nearly run out of space four times but this is the first time it’s reached the point of having zero kennels available, according to Wake County.
“We’re disheartened that we’re starting to sound like a broken record, but this repeating situation at the center is a reflection of our community and we know we can all do better,” said Wake County Commissioner Vickie Adamson in a news release. “It’s unbelievable that there are more than 200 animals at the center right now and that doesn’t even include the 72 pets that are being cared for by generous foster families.”
The shelter is at 820 Beacon Lake Drive. A gallery of adoptable pets can be found at pets.wake.gov/gallery. The shelter is open daily from noon to 6 p.m.
“Adopting a pet is a commitment for the life of that pet,” Federico said. “It’s not just until you decide to move, get a new job or have a baby.”
This story was originally published August 2, 2023 at 7:06 PM.
