The Wake County Animal Center desperately needs help, with a record number of animals at risk of being put down due to lack of space.

This isn't a new problem - it's the second time this year the shelter has reached critical capacity.

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With 635 animals currently housed and no room for more, the shelter is facing a heartbreaking situation.

Adoptions have been slow, and rescue organizations are overwhelmed with their own foster care needs.

Cindy Lynch is the transfer coordinator at the shelter.

"We obviously do not have enough space that is the crux of the problem we don’t have space. Adoptions have been slow, rescues have not been able to help us because they don’t have foster homes," Cindy Lynch, Transfer Coordinator at WCAC said.

Lynch says the center is dangerously full.

The long term solution of building a larger animal shelter is in the works, but in the mean time they need people to adopt or foster, and the need right now is dire. If the animals don't find homes, they face being put down.

"We haven't had to euthanize in eight years. So we are pulling all the stops out. We are trying everything we can possibly do," Lynch said.

And the overcrowding isn’t the only problem the shelter is facing.

The shelter is also struggling to keep it’s facility cool amid the heat wave. Workers had to bring in extra fans to help cool off the animals while temperatures hit the upper 90s.

Janiya Dixon came to the shelter today for a dog, but is walking away with a kitten.

"I see how crowded it is and I know most of the time what that leads to. So I’m like if I can help, why not," Janiya Dixon, Raleigh Resident said.

Staff at the shelter are hoping for a miracle, because it's hard to say goodbye to every animal that walks through the doors.

"We love them all. Whether they came in today or they came in five months ago. They are all very special to us, they all have their own story," Lynch said,

The Wake County Animal Shelter gives a special shout out to all of the rescue partners who have helped save animals just like a dog named BamBam:

  • Neshama Animal Rescue
    • Hope Animal Rescue
      • Lake Norman Humane
        • Mr. Mo Senior Dog Rescue
          • TNR Wake
            • Safe Haven For Cats
              • Carolina Poodle Rescue

                Visit their website to find out more information on how you can adopt.