At Premium Imports auto repair, workers are pretty good at knowing what you need.
A Volvo needs a serpentine belt. A Porsche needs an oil change, perhaps a new set of tires.
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But there’s something in the shop that needs something special: a forever home.
Premium Imports owners Cathy Hofmann and Steve Scott foster rescue dogs.
The two have rescued 50 to 60 dogs in 14 years, Hofmann said. The dogs hang out in the garage off Raleigh's Wake Forest Road.
“We have customers that will bring their kids by, not even to get their car worked on,” Scott said. “They just stop in and go, ‘My daughter wanted to see the dogs.’”
Hofmann fosters animals exclusively for Heaven and Earth Animal Rescue Team.
When Hofmann took in one dog, Tony, a few months ago, he was hairless, scared and in need of love.
“About 90 percent of his fur has come back, and he’s just a happy little guy,” Hofmann said.
Another dog, named Squirt, is a little shy. Hofmann believes that, by being at the shop, the dogs have a better chance of warming up to a variety of people.
“Some have been adopted by customers, and they bring them by to see us,” Hofmann said.
Helen Green brought her husband’s car in for service two years ago. That’s when she met Nelly.
“It was love at first sight,” Green said.
“I just knew she needed to be part of my life,” she added.
Nelly has outlived that car Green had brought into the shop.
Tony and Squirt will end up as part of someone's life too, but Hofmann and Scott said they will never go lonely.
“There will always be another one or two behind them,” Hofmann said. “The shelters are full, unfortunately.”