RALEIGH, N.C. — It’s a story being heard from animal shelters across the state as they run out of space for animals in need of a home. And this week, Wake County Animal Center reached it — code red.

Code red means some pets will be euthanized if they aren’t quickly adopted. It’s a much more dire situation for dogs though, since the center says more people can foster cats.

The center posted a short social media video Thursday morning showing the four dogs at most risk for euthanasia, some as soon as Friday.

“We’re all panicked,” Alicia Carlucci, a Wake County Animal Center volunteer, said. She’s been a volunteer at the shelter for nearly two decades.

“Today is the first time, at least I feel for me in my 17 years, that time is running out for some of our dogs,” Carlucci said.

Skye, a 5-year-old, is one of those four at-risk dogs. Carlucci says Skye is perfectly healthy, happy and energetic. But she needs to be in a home without any other dogs.

“She’s just a bit unsocialized. Her play style puts a lot of dogs off so she really does need a home where she’s the only dog,” Carlucci said.

These are dark times at the shelter. It’s avoided euthanizing any animals for seven years. Now, the adoption floors are completely packed, and the shelter needs responsible community members to step up.

Skye has been at the shelter since April. “That’s a long time for a dog to live day to day in a kennel,” Carlucci said. Volunteers like Carlucci are doing what they can to get them out, but she adds that the issue is multi-dimensional.

“We need people to not surrender their pets. There are resources out there, pet food pantry run by the friends of Wake County animal shelter. There’s spay-neuter options in this community. There are resources out there to help people if they are considering surrendering their pets,” Carlucci said.

“That’s why I’m here today, to try to help some of these animals potentially find some homes, and give them lots of love,” Carlucci said.

Right now, all the dogs and cats on the adoption floor can be adopted at no cost. The shelter is open seven days a week from noon to 6 p.m.