NORTH CAROLINA, USA — Every animal shelter in the area is at capacity, bursting with adoptable dogs and cats or all ages, sizes and breeds.
WCNC Charlotte is making an impact in the community by helping animals find their forever home through NBC's Clear the Shelters campaign.
In Union County, the shelter there has an average of 15 to 20 additional animals a day. Lt. James May with the Union County Sheriff's Office said the shelter basically stays at or near capacity 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," Lt. James said.
One of their featured pets is a 5-year-old mixed breed dog named Sarge. He's weighs about 45 pounds and is a very shy while staying extremely gentle. That type of personality is typical of the shelter's confined pets, including older dogs that don't get the attention they deserve. The puppies are generally adopted with a few days. Dogs like Sarge can stay in the shelter for months.
In most cases, these pets become great adoptees if given the right amount of love by a family. A few minutes with Sarge proved he is the perfect candidate for someone who is willing to give him a home.
Over in Gastonia, Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement is almost overwhelmed. They currently have around 100 dogs and 59 cats available for adoption. Ariel Hensley is the adoption coordinator at the shelter, and she said their foster program has been very successful and allows the animals to have a break from being caged while opening that area for new animals to be taken care of.
Hensley said the shelter is nearly full every week, and the Clear the Shelters campaign is happening at the perfect time.
Catelyn, a 6-month-old terrier mix, is a recent rescue who is loveable and laid-back. Before she came to the shelter, she was found next to a drainpipe under a sign that said she was scared and starving. Officer Dawson Hyde found Catelyn and immediately took the little puppy to the shelter. There, she was examined, fed and given a comfortable cage. In a heartwarming tale, Catelyn was recently adopted into a loving family.
Right now, Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement has a special discounted adoption program for already spayed or neutered pets. It's called Love and Go and gives a couple options to those individuals or families interested in adopting. For more information, their direct number is 704-866-3300 or visit their website.
Contact Larry Sprinkle at lsprinkle@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.