RALEIGH, N.C. – As COVID-19 restrictions begin to lift across the country, more people are returning animals adopted during the pandemic. While many are giving up their four-legged friends, one man from Cary is making it his mission to save as many animals as he can.

Nationwide, pet surrenders are up more than 80% compared to this time last year, according to Best Friends Animal Society.

What You Need To Know

  • Pet surrenders are up 80% from this time last year

  • One man is helping to save animals by volunteering and fundraising for Second Chance Pet Adoptions in Raleigh

  • Pies for Paws raises money for the animal shelter

Tim Chlopowicz is known for two things: his love of animals and hockey. He and his wife, Sue, adopted their three-legged dog Hat Trick five years ago.

His passion for pets grew into volunteering in 2019. The retiree spends his weeks transporting animals from rural shelters to Second Chance Pet Adoptions in Raleigh. When he’s not on the road, he’s often wiping pie off his face. 

Chlopowicz created his own fundraiser for the shelter, called Pies for Paws. For every $1,000 raised, Chlopowicz gets pied in the face by various local celebrities. All the pies are donated by Once in a Blue Moon Bakery & Café in Cary. 

So far, Chlopowicz has raised over $19,000 for the shelter. If you’d like to see his pie videos or donate to the cause, click here.