Help Save Raleigh’s Animals

Lisa Hughet has lived in Raleigh for nearly 30 years and says “my activism really kicked into high gear during the pandemic. Ironically, coinciding with a new City Council who appears not to have the residents of Raleigh as their highest priority. I’m also active in affordable housing matters and animal rescue.”

Lisa Hughet delivered the following comments to Raleigh City Council on July 2, 2024:

In addition to my activism for more affordable housing, I’m also an advocate for our homeless pet population. I volunteer at the Wake County Animal Center.

I’ve already spoken to the Wake County Commissioners, now I’d like to speak to Raleigh residents.

Since late 2022, the Wake County Animal Center has been operating at or above capacity. This means more animals are housed in the shelter than it was designed for, resulting in conditions that are not deemed humane. For instance, when I was there this weekend, every single kennel was being used, including dividing kennels to accommodate the overflow.

This crisis is not unique to Wake Co. It’s national. Despite these challenges, we are working multiple angles so that no animal should face euthanasia simply because of space limitations.

But that promise is getting harder to keep.

• • Wake County stands alone in its broad mandate, accepting strays, quarantine and cruelty cases, protective custody cases and dangerous dogs. They are required to house these animals at the center. You can imagine what this does to their capacity when they take in 140 cats from a hoarding case.
  • Our transfer partners have steadily decreased the number of animals they pull from us.
  • Access to affordable spay/neuter services is dwindling despite available funding. Many veterinarians prefer long-term clients over voucher-based services.
  • Even free or extremely low cost adoptions are not solving this problem.
  • While plans for a new facility offer hope for the future, the real solution lies in reducing the number of animals entering our doors.

Currently, our shelter is responsible for 635 animals. Here’s how you can make a  difference:

1. Avoid surrendering your pet. The likelihood of a surrendered animal being euthanized due to lack of space is higher than that of strays. There are resources on the shelter’s webpage that can help you keep your pet.

2. If you find a stray, help locate its owner. Again, there are lots of resources on how to do this on the shelter’s webpage, starting with a visit to any vet to scan it for a microchip.

3. Consider fostering an animal. It’s free, with supplies and vet support provided.

• • • • Fostering is our best solution to the immediate problem. If you’ve ever considered adopting a dog, here’s your chance to try one out! You get cuddles, the center gets space.

4. Spread the word. Use your social media and spread this information to your network.

In the words of Dr. Federico, our center’s director, “The situation is dire. Each day, more animals arrive than leave our care.” 

Thank you for your attention and support in saving our community’s animals.

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