DURHAM, N.C. — Animal shelters across the state are bursting at the seams.

What You Need To Know

  • Many animal shelters in North Carolina are filled to capacity

  • Shelters try not to euthanize but sometimes have no choice

  • Best Friends Animal Society says North Carolina ranks third for animal shelter deaths in the U.S.

  • The Animal Protection Society of Durham is asking people to help adopt, volunteer or donate to save the animals

According to the Best Friends Animal Society nonprofit, only 36 of 120 North Carolina shelters have a no-kill policy, resulting in the state ranking third in pet shelter deaths in the United States.

The Animal Protection Society of Durham says it does everything in its power to keep animals alive and avoid euthanization.

Executive Director Shafonda Allen says she loves animals.

“I mean, animals have just always been a source of peace for me,” Allen said.

 

She’s been working at APS for 26 years.

“It's interesting because I was a young person in my 20s when I started working here,” Allen said. “And I got addicted. It's just sort of like when that animal shelter bug sort of bites you, it's hard to walk away when there's so many animals that need you every day.”

She’s seen the number of animals rise and fall over the years, but right now, her shelter is way over capacity. With more than 300 animals currently in the shelter and almost 400 more with foster volunteers, the group is facing a big overpopulation problem.

“We're begging people to open up their homes to become foster parents,” Allen said.

APS is an open admissions shelter, meaning it has to receive all animals regardless of health, temperament or space. When it gets full, it has no choice but to put animals down. 

“It's something that nobody wants to do here, no matter the reason,” Allen said. “And it's something that we all take home when it's something that we have to do.”

Allen says they try to euthanize as little as possible. That’s why they need help at the shelter. Allen and her team are doing everything they can to get people to adopt, volunteer or donate.

“I just have always gravitated towards animals,” Allen said. “I really love people, but for me, being able to help people through the love of animals has really helped me.”

In 2022 bestfriends.org says more than 30,000 dogs and cats were killed in shelters across the state.

The Animal Protection Society of Durham often hosts events and deals to help get animals into good homes.

This month, there is only a $50 adoption fee, which helps cover a few of their costs. You can find available animals at apsofdurham.org.