For the fourth time since 2023, the Wake County Animal Shelter is running out room for animals.
As of Thursday, the shelter is caring for 236 dogs, 2 puppies, 59 cats, 197 kittens, 2 rabits, and 2 rats. If animals are not adopted or rehoused soon some face being euthanized.
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“We are doing everything we can to avoid having to make heartbreaking choices,” said Wake County Commissioner Shinica Thomas. “The community has always stepped up when we’ve needed them most and now is one of those times.”
The animal center reached capacity once in 2023 and then twice in 2024.
According to Community Outreach Manager Meagan Frost, for the past three years the animal shelter has been overwhelmed with dog intakes. The long term solution of constructing a new shelter is in the works, but they need the space now.
“It is in the budget. It is on the books. We are trying our best to get that happening as quickly as we can. But you know you can’t just snap your fingers and a building pops up overnight," said Frost.
Some of the dogs at the shelter are considered 'restricted breeds' by some apartment complexes and rental properties in the area, making it even more difficult to find homes.
Employees at the shelter told WRAL News they are doing everything they can to find the animals homes, but with the shelter being near capacity it's hard work.
“We’re getting hundreds of animals every single day," said Kira Justice, a kennel attendant. "It’s just constant all the time. We’re rotating, things are always coming in and out.”'
Following an incident where a mother and daughter were bitten by a dog at the animal shelter, people under the age of 18 are not allowed to visit pets on the adoption floor. People interested in adoption can browse the list of pets here.
To help encourage adoptions the shelter has waived adoption fees until June 8th. And if you're not ready to adopt, the shelter is in need of foster parents or volunteers. Click here to learn how you can help.