Cumberland County animal shelter at capacity, animals risk euthanasia

The Cumberland County Animal Shelter is at capacity, and some animals are at risk of euthanasia.

In an urgent plea for help, the shelter is waiving adoption fees for certain animals to address the issue.

Overbreeding, hoarding, and strict landlord requirements are just some factors causing this influx of animals.

"We have to start consider euthanizing for space and we just don't want to have to do that," Elaine Smith, Cumberland County Animal Shelter Director said.

Smith said it's an hour by hour situation and they don't know when the next large group of animals will come in.

"Pretty much every shelter in NC has these kinds of decisions to make if they're an open admission shelter," Smith said.

The high turnover rate among military personnel in Cumberland County is another factor contributing to pet abandonment.

"They're coming in four times as fast as they're going out," Rachel Parks, said.

Parks runs the Facebook page: Friends of Cumberland County animals.

She works to connect pets with potential adopters.

"If they adopt or rescue one animal, they actually rescue the lives of two, because that kennel opens up for another dog," Parks said.

To make adoption more affordable, the shelter is waiving adoption fees for certain dogs and all cats through next Tuesday.

It's an effort to hit *Paws* on considering euthanasia and get these pets into a happy home.