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Animal Shelter Stops Allowing Humans to Surrender Their Animal Companions

The Wake County Animal Center, in Raleigh, recently announced a permanent change to its policy on animal companion surrenders. Previously, people could drop off animals they no longer wanted, but this practice has been discontinued, with exceptions only for animals originally adopted from the Wake County Animal Center.

The decision comes in the wake of an October outbreak of dog flu that forced the shelter to close temporarily. The canine flu claimed the lives of four dogs, and the shelter ceased surrendering during this period due to the strain on resources. Although the shelter reopened for adoptions in December, the shift in policy regarding surrenders will remain in place.

The shelter’s Animal Services Director, Jennifer Federico, cited the growing population of animals in need and the slow pace of adoptions as reasons for the change. Federico explained, “We went from having an open door for every surrender to appointment-based because our population is growing. The animals aren’t moving out as fast. We’re getting more needy animals, medically and behaviorally.”

With only 132 dog kennels available, the shelter faces challenges in accommodating the increasing number of stray, lost, and surrendered animals. Officials expressed concern about the number of people relinquishing their dogs to the shelter, expecting them to find new homes for the pets.

Despite some dissatisfaction from the community about the decision, Federico emphasized that the change is necessary to ensure the well-being of the animals in their care. Overcrowded shelters can impose both physical and emotional strain on the animals and staff, leading to compromised health and living conditions.

To address the concerns of people, Federico offered alternative solutions for rehoming pets. Those who adopted pets from the Wake County Animal Center at any point are still allowed to return them to the center. For others, the shelter encourages utilizing online platforms, social media, and other resources to find new homes for pets, providing guidelines on writing effective bios.

The issue extends beyond the Wake County Animal Center, as shelters across the state, particularly in rural areas, face overcrowding issues. Animal lovers are urged to adopt from shelters or rescue organizations rather than purchasing from pet stores or breeders. Additionally, individuals can Support shelters by donating supplies or money, and people are advised to spay and neuter their animals to address the larger crisis of overcrowding in shelters statewide and nationally.

We encourage everyone thinking of getting a pet to only adopt instead of shopping. Read more resources about adopting animals on One Green Planet, including 7 Reasons to Adopt Your Next Furry Best Friend, 5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Adopt a Pet, and These Heartwarming Before and After Pictures of Adopted Rescue Animals Will Make Your Day! Read tips for pet adoptions and what to consider before adopting an animal. We recommend using these apps to find shelter dogs near you!