When Team USA’s finest athletes stood atop the Olympic podium in Italy, they showed the world what courage, dedication and resilience look like. Now a different kind of champion is ready for their moment at the Wake County Animal Center: the pets waiting for their forever families. Like the athletes who trained for years for a shot at gold, these animals have shown patience and love, and their time to shine is finally here.
After being closed for the past six weeks to make necessary repairs, the Animal Center’s adoption doors are opening again, along with new opportunities for pets to find their forever families. To celebrate, the Center is launching the “Our Own Champions” adoption campaign from March 2 through March 22. During the three-week event, dog and cat adoption fees will be $5.
“These repairs allow us to provide a safer space for the animals in our care,” said Wake County Commissioner Susan Evans. “But the true gold medal moment happens when a pet is adopted into a loving family. That’s the real victory we’re celebrating.”
While the Animal Center was closed, it took in 161 animals. Eighty-nine are still at the shelter. With those animals still there, and others coming back from boarding, the center is reopening with very little space available.
Right now, the Animal Center has over 100 dogs and two cats available for adoption at the center, along with 65 dogs and 36 cats in foster care who are also ready to find families. The center has pets of all sizes and personalities. From high-flying hiking champions to relaxed couch competitors, each pet is ready to claim a victory in the heart of the right family.
Here’s how you can help the animals:
- Adopt: The adoption floor will reopen for normal hours (Monday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.) on Monday, March 2. Potential adopters are encouraged to stop by and find their next family member.
- Lost/Found Animals: If you found a loose pet during the shut-down, please call the Animal Center to make an appointment to bring the animal in.
Lost a Pet: Please check our website and visit the shelter in person to look for your lost pet. When you reunite with your pet, you help free up space for another animal to find a home. - Volunteer at the Animal Center: If you’re not able to foster, you can still help by walking dogs, cuddling cats, providing playtime and enrichment. Visit our Volunteer Program webpage to learn more.
- Foster for the Animal Center: If you have space in your home for a homeless pet, please sign up to save a life. Visit our Foster Program webpage to learn more.
- Foster for a local Rescue: If you already work with a local rescue, consider fostering a dog from the Animal Center to help save more lives.
- Spread the word: Let others know the Animal Center is at critical capacity and encourage them to help make a difference for homeless pets in Wake County.
Ready to adopt? Visit the adoption gallery online or stop by to see the pets in person. The shelter is open daily from noon to 6 p.m., seven days a week. The Wake County Animal Center is located at 820 Beacon Lake Drive in Raleigh, near the intersection of I-440 and New Bern Avenue.
