Wake County Animal Center waives adoption fees this week for long-time dogs

It's National Pet Month, and the Wake County Animal Center is waiving adoption fees this week for dogs who have been at the shelter more than three weeks.

Dogs in a shelter likely have no idea why they ended up there. One day, they’re with their families or perhaps freely wandering the street. Then, suddenly, they’re in an unfamiliar place with cement floors, metal pens, barking dogs and strangers walking up and down the aisles peering in.

The Wake County Animal Center does its best to keep these canines healthy and happy, but the negative effects of long-term sheltering – including stress and separation anxiety – can intensify greatly within just a few weeks.

"While our staff and volunteers work to give the animals under our care all the attention and love they can, living for weeks on end in an animal shelter is not healthy for any animal – physically or mentally," said Wake County Animal Center Director Dr. Jennifer Federico. "We hope that this new adoption campaign will encourage more people to adopt pets and give these shelter dogs a second chance at a happy life."

That’s why adoption fees for every dog who’s been on the adoption floor more than 22 days are now being waived through Sunday.

"With this new initiative, the Wake County Animal Center hopes to encourage more families to consider adopting these dogs who have been waiting for forever homes for far too long," said Wake County Commissioner Vickie Adamson. "We understand that adopting a pet is a big decision and can come with expenses. That's why we want to make it easier for people to save a life. This is an excellent opportunity to adopt a dog at no cost at all."

Currently, out of 65 dogs on the adoption floor, 40 have been living in the shelter pens for more than three weeks. It’s these longtimers who can now be adopted through Sunday for $0. All of these dogs will still receive spay/neuter surgery, microchipping and required vaccinations.

Why these pets have not already been adopted can be a mystery to the staff who have cared for these wonderful animals over the past three weeks or more. Their long stays have these animals especially home sick as they continue to hope and wait for their forever home.

Check out the Wake County Animal Center adoption gallery or come by and see their sweet faces yourself.

The shelter is open for adoptions daily from noon to 6 p.m., seven days a week. The Wake County Animal Center is located at 820 Beacon Lake Drive, near the intersection of I-440 and New Bern Ave. in Raleigh.