Eastern North Carolina Shelters Urgently Seek Adoptions Due to Overcrowding

Beaufort County Animal Services issued a distressing warning via Facebook, indicating a “worst-case scenario” where all animals face the risk of euthanasia due to space constraints. Melanie Sawyer, chief officer of Beaufort County Animal Services, stated, “We have no more space. There are animals that need to be picked up, there are strays, there are cases that we need to work and go out and pick up. Puppies that need to be surrendered, and there’s nowhere to put them.”

Sawyer highlighted that this overcrowding issue is not isolated to their county but is a statewide and national crisis. She attributes it to pet owners neglecting to spay and neuter animals and the abandonment of pets as people move away. “People don’t realize that we’re not responsible for their animal,” she explained, emphasizing their responsibility to stray and injured animals rather than owned pets.

The situation is mirrored in Pitt County. Kimberly Mitchell, director of Pitt County Animal Services, remarked, “It’s definitely going around; it’s everywhere, absolutely.” To mitigate overcrowding, the Pitt County shelter has implemented special promotions to increase adoption rates, including discounted fees throughout September.

Ashley Case, volunteer coordinator at Pitt County Animal Services, reported success from these efforts, noting that 50 animals have been adopted this month alone. Additionally, a special adoption event with discounted fees is scheduled for Saturday, aiming to place as many pets as possible into permanent homes, including older dogs who have been at the shelter since February.

For more information on adopting from these shelters, residents can visit the following links: Pitt County: www.pittcountync.gov/597/Adoption-Fostering-Pets and Beaufort County: www.co.beaufort.nc.us/244/Animal-Services.