WAKE COUNTY, N.C. — Wake County Animal Center is over capacity and at risk of having to euthanize animals.
It's asking for the public's help in taking some of the animals off their hands.
What You Need To Know
- Wake County Animal Center is over capacity
- The influx of animals endangers the center's 6-year record of avoiding euthanasia for space
- It's asking for the public's help in taking some of the animals off their hands
- The center is offering dogs for $25, who have been at the shelter for more than two weeks, and cats are name your price
The animal center is running into issues because as an intake center, it’s required to take in all strays and pets from all abuse, neglect or animal control cases.
"Those are animals that are required to be here and in our care and those are kennels that are taken up," said volunteer coordinator Megan Thomas.
Right now, the center has so many pets coming in, it's running out of space. Thomas says because of that, they have had to downsize some of their kennels.
"No one wants to close these guillotine doors and give our dogs only half a kennel. But if it’s that or euthanasia, we are going to create the space.”
Thomas thinks the influx of animals is because of people’s living situations.
"We know we are in a housing crisis," she said. "Landlords are not accepting animals, they are not accepting certain breeds of dogs, sizes of dogs, any cats, any dogs, etcetera. And they have no where else to go.”
Thomas says the last thing the center wants to do is put animals down because the center doesn't have enough space.
"None of us are willing to initiate that conversation, because we are holding out hope that we can get the help we need, so that we don’t have to make that decision," she said.
Thomas says the biggest way to help is if faced with having to re-home your pet, try to do everything you can to handle it on your own.
"Reach out to friends, family members and colleagues and try to find the best home you can for your pet," Thomas said. "You know the most about your pet, you can advocate for them better than we can. So please try to find a home for your pet, yourself.”
Thomas says if you find a stray animal, hang on to it and do everything you can to find the owner. People can also sign up to volunteer or foster an animal. And to help make even more room, the center is offering adoption specials.
Starting Dec. 19 and running as long as needed, any dog or cat that has been at the shelter for more than two weeks will be available for adoption. Dogs are $25 and cats are name your price.
Normally, adoption fees are $95 for dogs and $45 for cats under 5 years old.