MANTEO, N.C. — Animal shelters across the country are stretched thin and at capacity, making volunteers more important than ever.

What You Need To Know

ASPCA reports 6.3 million companion animals enter animal shelters every year.

Each year, approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized

More than 4.1 million shelter animals are adopted each year

Brad Burns has been a volunteer with the Outer Banks SPCA for three years. He comes three to four times a week to help walk dogs and give them much-needed time outside the kennels.

At a time when the shelter was desperate for extra help, he answered the call.

"I’m retired. I was an electrician, and I’m very fortunate that I can do this. I love being around the dogs, and it makes me feel good knowing I’m getting them out. I can’t take them all home, but I can at least make their day a little better here,” Burns said.

Burns is the shelter's most consistent volunteer and even served as the sole volunteer during the pandemic, walking dogs from early in the morning to late afternoon.

"I’ve always wanted to give back, and I’ve had dogs my entire life. It makes me feel good inside knowing I’m helping these guys out,” Burns said. "I’ve always wanted to give back, and I’ve had dogs my entire life. It makes me feel good inside knowing I’m helping these guys out,” Burns said. 

With shelters stretched for resources and facilities with full kennels, shelter staff say they are so grateful for Burns' dedication to the animals. 

"Brad is just extremely dedicated. It will be 'monsooning' outside, and he is here with his jacket to walk the dogs … he knows that the more the dogs get out, the better. And we do the best we can, but it always helps having extra hands like volunteers. It helps so much," said Remington Schaifo, an assistant kennel manager with Outer Banks SPCA. 

Frequent walks help with stress on dogs and help them become better pets for adoption. 

Burns says it's most rewarding when he sees one of his regulars find a forever home.

"It's just the joy inside, you feel good about it. You can't be any happier for them knowing they're getting a second or third chance,” Burns said. 

The Outer Banks SPCA is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays for adoptions. For more information about adopting or becoming a volunteer visit its website.