Adoption fees waived through Sept. 9
The Wake County Animal Center is facing a heartbreaking situation – if space on the adoption floor isn’t freed up by adoptions, reclaims by owners, fosters or transfers to rescue partners, then the center will be forced to create needed space by euthanasia. Staff have put together an at-risk list of animals on the adoption floor, most of which have been in their care for over 90 days, with some closer to 175 days. The center is completely full, leaving no room for new animals, making this difficult decision a last resort.
In an urgent effort to save lives and preserve their eight-year record of not euthanizing for space, the center is participating in the Clear the Shelters event, waiving all adoption fees in hopes of finding loving homes for the dogs and cats. The month-long adoption initiative will take place from Aug. 9 to Sept. 8.
"We are facing a critical situation with the number of animals in our care," said Wake County Commissioner Donald Mial. "The Clear the Shelters event provides an excellent opportunity for our community to come together and find loving homes for these pets, ensuring we maintain our commitment to not euthanizing for space."
Currently, there are 579 animals in the care of the Wake County Animal Center, 342 at the center and the remaining in foster care. There are 12 cats, 88 dogs, 14 kittens, two puppies, two birds and two rabbits available for adoption. In foster, there are eight cats, 40 dogs, 28 kittens and one puppy available for adoption.
“The Wake County Animal Center, which is the only truly community-based organization, needs YOUR support to help the animals that have come in from our Wake County community,” said Dr. Jennifer Federico, director of the Animal Center. “Dogs are the most critical right now, and we need to have adopters who are interested in adopting local consider our animals. We are pleading with our community to Adopt Local – Adopt from Us!”
When you adopt a pet from the Wake County Animal Center, they are spayed/neutered, microchipped and up to date on their annual vaccines, which saves you on veterinary bills. If you want to adopt a heartworm-positive dog, Friends of Wake County Animal Center is sponsoring $350 vouchers through the Heal a Heart Program to help cover necessary medication costs. Some dogs that come to the shelter test positive for heartworms, a preventable and treatable condition. Be sure to ask for more information at the center!
Ready to adopt? Check out our adoption gallery or come by and see the pets’ sweet faces for yourself. The shelter is open for adoptions from noon-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 Avenue in Raleigh.
