A home for the holidays: Wake animal shelter hosts pre-Christmas adoption special

The Wake County Animal Center is hosting a one-week adoption special, aiming to find homes for animals for the holidays.

Between Monday, Dec. 12, and Sunday, Dec. 18, the adoption fee for dogs will be $25, and cats are name-your-price. There are 65 dogs and 38 cats in the shelter waiting to be adopted.

The adoption special is for all dogs and cats older than six months, which especially need homes.

According to the shelter, "Adult pets are a great choice because they have already settled into their traits and personalities, so that helps take the guesswork out of wondering how they’ll fit in with your family or lifestyle. "

Interested adopters can visit the shelter seven days a week between noon and 6 p.m. The shelter is located at 820 Beacon Lake Drive, near the intersection of I-440 and New Bern Avenue.

A gallery of animals can be found online.

“If you aren’t traveling for the holidays and are enjoying time at home, adopting a pet now will give you extra time to spend with your new family member,” said Dr. Jennifer Federico, director of the Wake County Animal Center, who has several rescues of her own.

Overcrowded shelters are a problem across North Carolina and in Raleigh, where the Wake County shelter has held several adoption specials in the past year to make room for more strays.

Adopting a dog is far less expensive than purchasing a pet and saves two lives -- the life of the animal you bring home and the life of an animal you make room for at the shelter.

Pets available for adoption are up-to-date on vaccines, flea and heartworm prevention and have been spayed or neutered.