Ben Madilynn
Officials with the Wake County Animal Center said they face a heartbreaking situation.
On Friday, the center alerted their media partners that may need to euthanize pets if more people don’t step up to adopt an animal. A release said they’re facing a “euthanasia crisis.”
The staff has 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. Adoption fees are waived through Sept. 9.
A spokesperson for the center says even as more pets are coming in, adoption and fostering rates have declined in the years since the pandemic.
“People are taking a step back from fostering, from rescuing, from taking in new animals,” said community outreach manager Meagan Frost. “They’re really prioritizing what is in their control now, which unfortunately can leave rescues and shelters without a lot of support.”
Currently, there are more than 570 animals in the center’s care. Animals at the center include:
- 12 cats
- 88 dogs
- 14 kittens
- two puppies
- two birds
- two rabbits
Animals in foster care available for adoption include:
- eight cats
- 40 dogs
- 28 kittens
- one puppy
