Dogs vs. Cats: Who will score the most adoptions?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is all about goals, competition and championship dreams. The Wake County Animal Center is joining the fun with a tournament of its own: Team Dog versus Team Cat.
Inspired by the world's biggest sporting event, the Wake County Animal Center’s Adoption Cup campaign will run from June 11–July 19, with Team Dog and Team Cat competing to see which side can score the most adoptions. The stakes? Bragging rights. The prize? A forever home.
"We've got some seriously talented players on both sides," said Wake County Commissioner Susan Evans. "All they need is someone to cheer them home. At the heart of it, this campaign is about getting animals out of the shelter and into loving homes."
Every adoption counts as a goal. Weekly score updates will be posted on the Animal Center's social media channels so fans can track which team is leading, rally their side and cheer their favorite players to victory. The team with the most adoptions at the final whistle wins, and every animal that crosses the finish line takes home the only trophy that matters: a forever family.
To make it easier than ever to get in the game, any dog or cat that’s been at the shelter for more than two weeks is available for just $25 for dogs and $5 for cats. The regular adoption fees are $95 for dogs, $45 for cats under five years old, and $15 for cats that are greater than five years old.
Currently, the shelter has 60 dogs, 21 cats and seven kittens available for adoption, along with 41 adoptable dogs, 15 cats and 17 kittens in foster care. When you adopt a pet from the Wake County Animal Center, they are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and up to date on their vaccines. This saves adoptive families hundreds of dollars in veterinary costs while giving a pet the gift of a home.
The final whistle blows on July 19. Will Team Dog or Team Cat lift the trophy? Visit the adoption gallery or come by and see the pets’ sweet faces for yourself. Follow the Animal Center on social media to track the score and cheer your team to victory. Because in this tournament, every goal changes a life.
