NORTH CAROLINA, USA: Every animal shelter in the area is full to the brim with dogs and cats of all ages, sizes, and kinds that are looking for homes.
As part of NBC’s Clear the Shelters program, WCNC Charlotte is making a difference in the community by helping animals find their forever homes.
Every day, 15 to 20 more animals are brought to the shelter in Union County. Union County Sheriff’s Office Lt. James May said that the shelter is usually full or almost full for most of the year.
“Every once in a while, we have a random gerbil or hamster, so you just never know what you’re going to find here, but our goal in to find loving homes for every animal in the shelter,” said Lt. James.
The pet they show off is Sarge, a mixed-breed dog who is 5 years old. He is highly shy and very gentle, and he weighs about 45 pounds. That’s how most of the pets that are kept at the shelter act, even older dogs that don’t get the care they need.
Most of the time, the puppies are accepted within a few days. There are places for dogs like Sarge to stay for months at a time.
If a family gives these pets the right amount of love, they usually make great pets. A short time with Sarge showed that he is the right pet for someone who wants to adopt him.
Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement is almost too busy in Gastonia. At the moment, they have about 100 dogs and 59 cats up for adoption. The shelter’s adoption supervisor, Ariel Hensley, said that their foster program has been very successful. It gives the animals a break from being caged and makes room for new animals to be cared for.
Hensley said that the Clear the Shelters effort is happening at just the right time because the shelter is almost always full every week.
Catelyn is a terrier mix who is 6 months old and was rescued not long ago. She is friendly and calm. She was found next to a drainpipe with a sign that said she was scared and hungry before she came to the shelter.
When Officer Dawson Hyde found Catelyn, he took the little puppy to the shelter right away. There, she was checked out, fed, and given a nice box. In a sweet story, Catelyn was recently taken in by a loving family.
Cats and dogs that have already been fixed or neutered can get a discount when they are adopted right now through Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement. The program is called Love and Go, and it gives people or families who want to adopt a few choices. Call their direct line at 704-866-3300 or go to their website to find out more.