Wake animal shelter was 'set to begin' euthanizing animals until community steps up, adopts 138 pets in one day
People responded to the Wake County Animal Center's (WCAC) plea for adoptions after hundreds of pets were surrendered this past week.
The WCAC said 138 pets were adopted on Thursday alone, including dozens of dogs and cats, a guinea pig and two rabbits.
There are now 67 dogs and 13 cats available for adoption at the shelter at 820 Beacon Lake Drive in Raleigh.
Earlier this week, staff were worried healthy animals would have to be euthanized if something wasn't done, but the community stepped up.
The animal center said, at this point, it will not have to euthanize any animals due to lack of space.
Director Dr. Jennifer Federico said, despite the good news, the shelter is not completely out of the woods.
"While we had 139 people or families agree to adopt pets yesterday, we also had 23 animals come into the center that we can’t refuse," she said. "So it’s still a balancing act over what’s going out and what’s coming in and we’ll need a constant stream of support to ensure we can continue care for our pets without the fear of euthanasia."
Animals are still waiting to be adopted in Wake County and at other shelters across the state, including at the overburdened Cumberland County shelter, where adoption fees will be waived every day in August so they are not forced to euthanize innocent dogs and cats.
To encourage people to adopt, dogs and cats at the WCAC that have been on the adoption floor for 15 days or longer can now be adopted for free.
All adopted pets are fully vaccinated, spayed or neutered and microchipped before they go home. The regular adoption fees are $95 for dogs, $45 for cats under five years old and $15 for older cats.
Wake County Animal Center was 'set to begin' euthanizing pets
Earlier this week the WCAC was concerned the influx of dogs and cats would force them to euthanize pets from the adoption floor due to lack of space for the first time in seven years.
The WCAC said it was overwhelmed with more than 208 dogs and cats coming into the shelter a one-week span. A release from the shelter said there were no open kennels remaining and the space was "completely full."
"We have filled every nook and cranny," an employee said. "There is just no space left, and this is a day we hoped would never happen."
The staff said long-time animals, who have been waiting for families for more than three weeks, were the first ones scheduled to be euthanized.
"[They're] the animals that you don't think would be at an animal shelter, and they're just lingering," one shelter employee said.
Employees at the shelter said the cost of pet care, cost of living, landlord requirements and owner surrenders are at an all-time high. All of these factors contributed to the shelter's decision.
On Wednesday, the WCAC said humane euthanasia was "set to begin." WRAL News helped spread the word, and the community's response was immediate.
By Thursday, a staff member told WRAL News the shelter was "slammed" with interested adopters since the news broke.
Alone, scared and desperately searching for a home
Imagine being taken from your home, abandoned by your family and left in an unfamiliar place. These animals didn't ask to end up at a shelter, but that's where they remain until someone comes to rescue them.
"While our staff and wonderful volunteers work to give the animals under our care all the attention and love we can, living for weeks on end in an animal shelter is not healthy for any animal – physically or mentally," said Dr. Jennifer Federico, Wake County Animal Center Director.
"We’re disheartened that we’re starting to sound like a broken record, but this repeating situation at the center is a reflection of our community, and we know we can all do better," said Wake County Commissioner Vickie Adamson.
"Animal Center staff take no days off, and each day is packed with heartbreaking surrenders, wandering strays brought in off the street and the desperate search for homes – so that not one animal has to be put down because of a lack of space on the adoption floor."
"We need people to be coming in and choosing adoptions and taking a new pet into their home and giving them a loving, caring rest of their life," a shelter employee said.
The adoption floor at the shelter is open everyday from noon until 6 p.m. for those interested in giving these adorable pets a second chance at life. You can view all of the shelter's adoptable pets here.
You can call the Wake County Animal Center at 919-212-7387.
