Stop by and say hello to the folks of your Wake County Animal Center!

If you live in Wake County, you’ll want to know about our next organization! The Wake County Animal Center is our open admission, county shelter that receives all the stray and abandoned pets in Wake County. They also take owner surrendered pets and as an open admission shelter, they have to take any animal that comes through the doors. This means that sometimes they end up with animals other than dogs and cats, like chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even birds or reptiles on occasion! They work with fosters, volunteers and rescues to re-home thousands of pets each year.

Open admission shelters, like Wake County, need so much community support. When they have to take in every animal that comes in, there’s always a risk that tough decisions have to be made because of space limitations. This is where the community can make a huge impact! Rescues can pull animals into their programs, individuals can foster for the shelter or for a partner rescue group, share adoptable animals to help them find homes, donate supplies to help care for the pets there and make their stay more comfortable, or volunteer their time to help pets in the shelter destress and get some extra attention.

Here is one of the dogs available through Wake County Animal Center, Ella.

"My name is Ella, and I'd like to be your new best buddy. I can be bouncy and playful with my human friends and love going on quiet walks. If there's a creek nearby, I'm all in...literally. I love the water, and I'm ready for some summer fun. I like toys too and sometimes will entertain myself with a ball. On the flip side, I'm also an expert cuddle bug because there's nothing I like better than to have someone hang out with me. I like being active, but I'm also quite content just chilling out in the house. In fact, I'm the last one to wake up in the morning in my current home! Check out some of my photos so you can see how relaxed I can be in the house.

I'm a pretty happy girl overall, and my foster mom thinks I'm the sweetest girl ever...except for my sweet foster sister. If you think you might have the right home for me, please contact my foster mom at ncfosterdoggies@gmail.com. I have a lot of love to give and just want someone to love me like crazy!"

You can follow them, read more about Ella, and keep up with their adoptable pets on their website, linked above, or on Facebook and Instagram!

Underhound Railroad works to save dogs in rural areas across six states!

Underhound Railroad initially started in 2009 in Connecticut. Their goal was to save death-row dogs in the local shelters and they have now grown to include rescue communities in Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, North Carolina, South Carolina and Utah. They focus on rural areas, where the need is greatest and the dogs are in most danger.

“Underhound Railroad is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) volunteer-based animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing homeless dogs from overcrowded shelters. By working with a network of volunteer advocates, foster caregivers, local veterinarians, trainers and shelters, Underhound is able to rescue hundreds of animals every year. We provide these animals with care and temporary homes until we can place them into their permanent homes. We believe that no animal should be mistreated and are working towards the day when no companion animal is euthanized for lack of a home.”

Here’s a bit about one of their adoptable dogs.

Meet Belle Mabel, a beautiful Treeing Walker Coonhound who is ready to find her furever home. Belle Mabel is 4 years old with a very sweet and kind disposition. She was rescued from a rural shelter in North Carolina after being dropped off as a stray. Belle Mabel is an active girl that enjoys walks and exploring her surroundings. She also appreciates a good nap too. Belle Mabel has received professional training and it shows! This girl knows her commands, potty and crate trained. Belle Mabel spends some days at doggie daycare and enjoys going pack walks with her doggie friends. She is seeking an experienced adult only home ready to love her furever.

You can find out more about Belle Mabel, Underhound Railroad, and all their adoptable dogs on their website, linked above and on their social media channels, Facebook and Instagram.

GSD's in need find their place with German Shepherd Rescue and Adoptions

German Shepherds are a loyal, loving breed and German Shepherd Rescue and Adoptions recognizes that and wants to help as many of them as possible!

“We are a non-profit organization of dedicated volunteers committed to offering essential care and adoption services to neglected, stray or surrendered German Shepherd Dogs. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina and supporting the Carolinas and Virginia, we strive to protect and promote this magnificent breed.”

Most of their dogs are pulled from local shelters, while others are surrendered by owners, but all of them receive attention and committed help from this rescue. They also focus on educating the public about the breed specifically to make sure that anyone interested in adopting a German Shepherd is fully prepared and understanding of the dog’s needs and personality.

Handsome Ray is one of their dogs looking for his fur-ever home!

Big, sweet Ray...but to look at him, he's got the looks of a tough guy. He's currently 95 lbs. of Beef Cake! Ray was an unhealthy weight when he came in to GSRA due to having an undiagnosed underactive thyroid. He received the lab work and veterinary care to be diagnosed and prescribed daily thyroid replacement medication.. That thyroid is easily treated with a pill to replace the thyroid hormone twice daily, and I serve it as a garnish on his kibble. Lab testing to monitor its effectiveness is needed every 6 months, and the medication costs about $20/month. It’s a common condition in shepherds and is easily remedied.

Ray enjoys walks in the neighborhood and investigating with his nose. He is not a fan of small dogs or cats, fortunately, we do not encounter many on our walks, but we'll turn the other direction if they're spotted.

Read more about Ray and their other adoptable dogs on their website or on their Facebook page!