November is ADOPT A SENIOR MONTH!

Did you know that we have senior dogs and cats looking for homes? They're just as loyal and loving as younger pets. Older pets are often overlooked in shelters – which is so sad. These dogs and cats make wonderful pets and are looking for wonderful, loving homes to take them in!

Here are some benefits of adopting an older pet:

They are typically housetrained!
Lower exercise requirements – great for those who think “extra-fries” and not “exercise” 😉
Personality is developed – so you know who they are when you meet them!

All month long, fees are reduced to adopt pets aged 8 and older. The cost is $25 for dogs, and you can name your price for cats. Ready to adopt? View a gallery of animals currently available for adoption and visit our center at 820 Beacon Lake Drive, Raleigh.

Trying to Change the World…

One Foster Parent at a Time

Have you ever considered becoming a pet foster parent? The Wake County Animal Center Foster Program is a great way to help animals get ready for adoption. We started the program in 2008 and Joanne Duda joined the program in 2009. She's been fostering for more than a decade!

Her very first foster was a cat that had been hit by a car and had a broken jaw. Joanne cared for her until she was healthy. She was adopted soon after. Joanne enjoyed the experience of fostering so much that she kept doing it. Then she turned that love for fostering into a job! When the Wake County Animal Center announced the hiring for the Foster Coordinator position, she was one of the first to apply. “I have a BS in Animal Science from NCSU, and this would be using that degree. I eventually landed the job, starting in January 2011. What a whirlwind!”

Through her continued fostering she became a better coordinator who could thoroughly understand the needs of foster parents. It expanded her confidence with different animals and challenges. “I began fostering kittens of all types: bottle feeders, young ones, hissy ones, cats of all ages and conditions, and many dogs with behavioral and medical needs," said Joanne. "I miss the bottle baby kittens now and then. Seriously, there’s nothing cuter than watching their tiny ears bop back and forth as they slurp from a bottle and witness them hiss for the first time, usually scaring themselves in the process😊.”

Her favorite experience through the years has been caring for hospice cats. Joanne said that giving them the love and care they deserve in their twilight time and letting them show the love they still had to give was a humbling, wonderful, and sad blessing. She said the hardest days were made better by coming home, going into that bedroom, laying down and having a cat lay on her chest, purring softly.

“Fostering has brought so much into my life," said Joanne. "I can only hope by helping these animals become the loved family pets they were meant to be, they will in turn bring so much to the lives of their adoptive families. That is why we do this: to enrich lives, to educate, to heal both mind and body. As the coordinator of this program, I have the great fortune to share this joy with others. My motto: “Trying to change the world… one foster parent at a time.”

If you are interested in becoming a Foster for animals at the Wake County Animal Center, please complete a Foster Program Application to get started!

Keeping Our Furry Friends Safe at Thanksgiving

The holidays can be a festive time for families, but they can also be stressful and dangerous for our furry friends. Check out these tips for a safe Thanksgiving!

Although holiday parties may be fun for humans, they may not be seen as fun for our pets. If you are having a lot of people over, it may be best to secure your cats in a separate room. This will keep them from getting out as people come and go. Some dogs like to be the life of the party … some not so much. If you have a dog that is nervous around strangers, maybe isn’t too keen on large groups or maybe has a food allergy, it may be best to keep your dog in their crate or locked in a room away from the party activities. This will keep your dog safe and your guests having a good time. Finally, make sure all pets have ID tags and microchips just in case they do get out.

Thanksgiving is also all about tasty food. We understand, it is very tempting to include our furry friends in the feast. Please remember that while the smell of turkey can be very enticing for pets, turkey and the skin can sometimes cause pancreatitis in some pets. This can be a life-threatening condition. Chocolate is another toxic food that should be kept away from pets. Clear off the table of scraps, and make sure the lid is on the garbage can tightly, to ensure your pet is safe. Some other foods that cause issues or can be toxic for pets include sweets or baked goods that contain xylitol, onions, grapes and raisins. Yeast dough is another item that can cause painful gas and potentially dangerous bloating if ingested. Finally, don’t let your dog eat corn cobs as they can get stuck in your dog’s intestinal tract and need to be surgically removed!

Follow these simple safety tips and you and your pets will have an enjoyable holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!