CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For months, WCNC Charlotte has reported on overcrowding at animal shelters across the Carolinas. Now, the problem's getting so bad that one of Charlotte's largest shelters is using an older facility to care for animals with no place else to go.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control moved to its currently location near Charlotte Douglas International Airport over 30 years ago. The building they left, on Toomey Avenue in southwest Charlotte, was then occupied by the Humane Society of Charlotte until it moved to a new facility off Remount Road. Now, Animal Care and Control is going back to its old shelter as it struggles to find room for the animals in its possession.
The Toomey Avenue building, which is owned by the city of Charlotte, was in bad need of repairs. Some fixes were made, enough that the building could be occupied, and thus the decision was made to use the building for cats and dogs. Melissa Knicely, the shelter's communications manager, said the facility was perfect to be used as a satellite location. She estimated the building should be able to house 29 dogs and about 15 cats or kittens.
The shelter is now open seven days a week operating from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. In the meantime, major renovations continue. However, they're not actually adding new kennels. The main purpose is simply to bring the complex up to code, officials said.
With the main center at maximum capacity and the satellite location crowded as well, there's an even greater need to adopt. Because of the tremendous number of animals needing homes, the euthanasia rate has increased 40%. In fact, North Carolina had the third-highest rate of euthanasia with 28,790 animals being euthanized last year.
Adoption isn't the only way to help in this critical situation. You can foster an animal, giving a cat or dog a temporary home until they're adopted. Shelters also need volunteers. Whether it's walking dogs, cleaning kennels or even taking a pet home for a few days, these "staycations" are a great way to give animals social interaction while they await a forever home.
Contact Larry Sprinkle at lsprinkle@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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