Animal shelter Coverage

Vance County animal shleter struggles with overcrowding

William Coker, director of animal services at the Vance County Animal Shelter, said adoptions are down since COVID-19, and strays and surrenders are up.

Dead animals, broken legs and lack of vet care: WRAL Investigates taxpayer-run animal shelters

Many North Carolina animal shelters are struggling to provide proper care, with 13 taxpayer-run shelters or their employees in the state being fined or warned since the start of 2023.

Sarah Krueger, WRAL investigative reporter

Dirty cages & injured dogs left untreated. Alarming conditions at local animal shelters

Dirty cages, injured dogs left untreated and over 1,000 animals euthanized by an unlicensed facility. WRAL Investigates a recent surge in fines and the alarming conditions at local animal shelters.

Pet owners can drop off animals at Wake shelter again under strict process

People can once again drop off unwanted pets at the Wake County Animal Center -- but under a strict application policy -- less than a month after the shelter announced it would permanently stop all owner surrenders.

WRAL staff

This New Jersey animal shelter will neuter your ex - well, kind of

A New Jersey animal shelter has come up with a unique solution for anyone who has ever felt like their ex shouldn't reproduce. As part of a Valentine's Day promotion, Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center in Blackwood is offering to name a feral cat after a donor's ex - then neuter or spay the cat in question.

Zoe Sottile, CNN

Fayetteville community touched by homeless man who saved five puppies

A man experiencing homelessness left puppies at the door of the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society. He included an emotional note explaining that he found them after their mother was hit by a car.

Homeless man leaves puppies at Fayetteville shelter with emotional note after mother hit by car

An animal shelter in Fayetteville is asking for help after a person left puppies at their door with an emotional note.

Act of kindness: Puppies left at Fayetteville shelter with note

A man experiencing homelessness left puppies at the door of the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society with an emotional note explaining that he found them after their mother was hit by a car.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

Wake County animal advocates plead for bigger animal center with current facility regularly at overcapacity

Wake County leaders feel the onus for the issue falls on the public to adopt, spay or neuter their animals, or work to find the animal a new home on their own. However, rescue groups feel they will soon be burdened by this new decision.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

Wake County Animal Center declares crisis, stops allowing owners to surrender pets

The Wake County Animal Center will no longer allow pet owners to drop off animals they don't want anymore.

Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporter

Good news! Missing Raleigh kitten has been safely returned to animal rescue

The Cause for Paws announced that Rummy, a 10-week-old orange tabby, was returned to the North Market Store safe and unharmed.

Destinee Patterson, WRAL reporter

Wake County Animal Center to resume pet adoptions starting Monday

The Wake County Animal Center will resume adoptions Monday after an eight-week closure due to a dog-flu outbreak.

Pet of the Day: Nov. 25

Meet Dolly and Dixie, our Pets of the Day! These two kittens were rescued from a backyard at 8 weeks old. To learn more about adopting the sisters, go to lovemuttsrescuenc.org.

Pets at Cumberland County animal shelter get surprise Thanksgiving feast Thursday

Pets at the Cumberland County animal shelter are getting a big surprise Thursday -- a Thanksgiving feast!

Wake County Animal Center closure causes influx of animals at other shelters

Due to the ongoing dog flu outbreak, the Wake County Animal Center has decided to extend its closure until at least the end of November.

4 dogs dead in flu outbreak; Wake animal shelter to stay closed through November

Due to a recent outbreak of canine influenza, the Wake County Animal Center will remain closed until at least the end of November.

Dog flu cases prompt Wake Animal Center to close for more than a month

The spread of dog flu has led to three dog deaths at the Wake County Animal Center, forcing the shelter to close to the public for over a month.

Cumberland County animal shelter at capacity, animals risk euthanasia

The Cumberland County Animal Shelter is at capacity, and some animals are at risk of euthanasia.

Carly Haynes, WRAL reporter

Cumberland County animal shelter full, pets face euthanasia

The Cumberland County Animal Shelter is at capacity, and some animals are at risk of euthanasia.

Wake animal center reps pry into why shelter keeps facing capacity

The Wake County Animal Center is again nearing capacity and employees believe there are multiple factors compounding the problem.

Dog rescued by sanitation workers finds new home

The dog named Moe-Moe has found a new home, according to a Facebook post.

WRAL Staff

Dog left out with trash looking for new family to love

The dog, named Moe-Moe, was found in a crate at the curb with several bags of trash, according to a Facebook post.

Raleigh animal shelter holds adoption special Friday to help cats find forever homes

Due to an influx of cats needing loving homes, SAFE Haven for Cats is reducing adoption fees to just $5 on Friday as part of its Clear the Shelter adoption special.

Cumberland County waives pet adoption fees for the entire month of August

Cumberland County Animal Services is waiving all adoption fees through Aug. 31 as part of the month-long Clear the Shelters campaign.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

FAQ: Clear the Shelters

Clear The Shelters is a nationwide pet adoption initiative that brings shelters, rescue groups, and adopters together to find loving homes for pets in need.