Clear the Shelters update: Lots of pets adopted, much success reported

Each year, on what could be described as a magical day, thousands of animals across the nation find a family through Clear the Shelters. Today is that day.

Posted 11:22 a.m. Aug 17, 2019 — Updated 1:19 a.m. Aug 18, 2019

Jessica Patrick

, WRAL digital journalist

RALEIGH, N.C. — Each year, on what could only be described as a magical day, thousands of animals across the nation find a family through Clear the Shelters.

Saturday was that day.

For North Carolina animal shelters, adoption advocates, rescue groups and plain old animal lovers, Saturday is the best day ever. That's because adoption fees are waived at participating shelters across the state between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

On Clear the Shelters day, the increased number of adoptions will tackle issues North Carolina shelters face daily, including overcrowding and euthanasia.

Find a participating shelter near you.

Last year, more than 1,800 animals from 13 central North Carolina shelters found new homes through Clear the Shelters.

This year, WRAL-TV teamed up with 12 central North Carolina shelters, including the Animal Protection Society of Durham, Franklin County Animal Shelter, Johnston County Animal Services, Orange County Animal Services, Paws4ever, Vance County Animal Shelter, Wake County Animal Center, SPCA of Wake County, SAFE Haven for Cats, Wayne County Education and Animal Adoption Center, Moore County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services and Cumberland County Animal Control.

You can search for a participating shelter near your zip code here.

Clear the Shelters updates

3:30 p.m.: Over 1,000 animals have adopted through Clear the Shelters and many more will be adopted before the event wraps up this evening.

The Vance County shelter, about a 1-hour drive from Raleigh, still has many dogs and cats that need to be adopted. Staff and volunteers there are urging the public to consider taking a drive to help clear their shelter.

3 p.m.: With Clear the Shelters now more than halfway over, adoption rates are rising quickly, but that doesn't mean there aren't any animals left. The Vance County Animal Shelter said it has seen 23 adoptions today but has plenty more "fur babies" in need of forever homes.

2:30 p.m.: A total of 985 animals have been adopted statewide, and officials said the Cumberland County Animal Control shelter has almost adopted out all their dogs. Cats and other animals remain.

That's incredible, because less than a month ago, the Cumberland Shelter was over capacity and announced euthanasia was likely. According to director Elaine Smith, the Cumberland shelter can hold around 300 animals.

Urgent need for adoption: Euthanasia a sad reality at many NC animal shelters

Smith said that people often criticize the shelter for euthanizing animals, but even with the help of rescues, foster parents and volunteers, their options are limited.

"I am fostering six cats at my house right now," she said. "We love these animals, and it's distressing to our staff to euthanize."

1:30 p.m.: According to an update from state officials, a total of 931 animals have already been adopted through Clear the Shelters. Adoption totals for today so far are at 344 (some animals were adopted at a pre-CTS event). The Johnston County Animal Shelter is empty after a successful morning of adoptions!

According to Humane Society director Gail Thomssen, the number should quickly climb Saturday afternoon as pending adoptions become final.

"I was at both the Wake County Animal Shelter and SPCA of Wake County and people were waiting in line to get in the building," Thommsen said. "I expect numbers at both of those facilities to increase as their volumes are so high it will take them a while to process adoptions!"

1 p.m.: Orange County Animal Services posted a gallery to Facebook showing images of adopted dogs and cats. The smiles -- and snuggles -- were plenty!

12:30 p.m.: Shelters across the state are clearing out, but there are still animals left. At the Wake County Animal Shelter, four dogs and 16 cats were still looking for homes at noon after 19 adoptions were reported in the first hour of Clear the Shelters. In Durham at the Animal Protection Society, just under 30 cats and 30 dogs were left at 11:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m.: Videos and photos of successful adoptions are flooding social media. Krystal George, who was interviewed in Durham earlier this morning while she was waiting in line, just left the Animal Protection Society of Durham with a new puppy. More than 20 other animals, including a rabbit, were already adopted there.

11 a.m.: Wake County Animal Control shared some good news -- their first official adoption of the day! In the first 45 minutes of Clear the Shelters, eight cats -- Inknut, Penguin, Pigeon, Baby Spice, Sporty Spice, Perses and Circe -- were adopted at Safe Haven for Cats. In Durham, an adorable dog named Westin found a home!

In Forsyth County, the animal shelter is hoping to find a home for Taffy the ferret. There will be an adoption fee of $5.

10 a.m.: The event has officially started. Doors are now open at shelters across the state and across the country. For the next hour, people and pets will meet with the possibility of going home together.

9:45 a.m.: The doors are about to open at animal shelters across the state. At the Animal Protection Society of Durham, families are filling out pre-screening paperwork to make sure they are qualified to adopt. Other shelters may ask crowds to do the same before they can take an animal home.

There are many shelters outside the Triangle -- in Wayne, Johnston, Moore, Cumberland and Vance counties, to name a few -- filled with adoptable animals. Consider taking a longer drive to find a pet.

8 a.m.: Like last year, lines of potential adopters are already forming at animal shelters across central North Carolina. At the Animal Protection Society of Durham, 42 dogs, 51 cats and two rabbits are available for adoption on Saturday. A family waiting in line told WRAL's Nia Harden they came out to Clear the Shelters because they wanted to "do something good."

Potential adopters were waiting outside shelters as early as 6 a.m. to find a pet.

Krystal George visited Koala, a puppy at the Durham shelter, on Friday and fell in love. On Saturday, she was one of the first in line, waiting beside others in folding chairs, hoping to take Koala home.

Resources

Have questions about Clear the Shelters and animal adoption?

Check out WRAL's complete coverage for tips on bringing a new pet home, caring for a new pet and more.

FAQs

How many animals are expected to get adopted today?

In 2018, over 100,000 pets were adopted from over 1,000 shelters across the country during the Clear the Shelters campaign. Locally, WRAL helped find homes for 1,812 pets in one day!

What time do I need to be there to adopt an animal?

The official adoption event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., though some shelters may open earlier or stay open later. People who get to the shelters earlier will have first pick, but there are plenty of animals needing homes. With so many dogs and cats in need of homes across the state, potential adopters are encouraged to visit shelters outside their town or county to search for a furry friend.

What do I need to bring?

Fees do not apply on Clear the Shelters day, but be ready to go through the adoption process once you select an animal. Some shelters have online adoption forms you can fill out ahead of time, while others handle everything on-site. Be ready to describe your home environment, including if you have young children or other pets. Adoption counselors are looking for families who can provide safe indoor and outdoor spaces for pets, who can afford food and vet care, and who plan to keep their new dog or cat for life. Find more information at this link.

If someone doesn't have to pay to adopt an animal on Clear the Shelters day, how can they afford to own it?

Normal adoption fees, which can range from $20 to above $300 depending on type of animal and what they include (microchipping, spay/neuter, etc.), are only a fraction of the cost of owning a pet. Adoption counselors will make sure adopters know that on Saturday before they can take a pet home. The free adoption event is meant to inspire much-needed adoptions.

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