Through May 15, all dog and cat adoption fees have been reduced to $25 to make room in the shelter.
GASTONIA, N.C. — Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement is currently grappling with severe overcrowding, with more animals arriving each day than they can accommodate.
WCNC Charlotte’s Larry Sprinkle visited the shelter recently and got an up-close look at the challenges the agency is facing and how the community can help.
The shelter has 60 dog kennels, but currently has 133 dogs, 74 of which are housed in the building. Additionally, there are 697 pending owner surrender appointments waiting to come into the shelter. This number does not include strays, emergency situations or cases of cruelty where the animal must be removed from the home.
To alleviate the crisis, the shelter must get 20 dogs adopted in the next two weeks. Their next adoption event is on April 24 at Front Porch Provisions from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. In the meantime, shelter officials encourage anyone who can help pitch in for these animals.
“We don’t have any space whatsoever,” adoption coordinator Ariel Hensley said. “It really does break my heart to see all of these amazing dogs that are perfectly people-friendly, perfectly animal-friendly, great with kids, and they just don’t have anywhere to go. These guys really deserve better than what we’ve been able to provide.”
There are options if you can’t take a dog forever but want to help. Gaston County offers staycations and daycations that let people take a dog out for a day, giving them a much-needed break from the shelter environment. The Good Samaritan walking program lets folks come in any time the shelter is open and take pets out of their kennel for a walk. Volunteering is another way to support the shelter. Families can also sign up to foster dogs, providing a temporary home until adoption.
The adoption process is straightforward. Prospective adopters must fill out an adoption application, available both online and in person. Sometimes, the process can be completed the same day, allowing adopters to leave with their new furry friend. The shelter has a wide variety of dogs available, including numerous breeds and sizes.
This includes Nala, a sweet pup who became fast friends with Larry during his visit to the shelter.
To help these dogs find a loving home, Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement is participating in the Bissell Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” event. From now through May 15, adoption fees for cats and dogs have been reduced to just $25. If you’re considering adding a furry friend to your family, now is the perfect time to visit the shelter and make a difference.
Contact Larry Sprinkle at [email protected] and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
