Saving lives, one foster at a time

At the Wake County Animal Center, some heroes wear scrubs, and some warm bottles for hungry kittens in the middle of the night. Elle Felkins has done both.

By day, Felkins is a clinical project manager for oncology studies at a pharmaceutical company. She began her career as a nurse and later moved into research. Caring for others has always shaped her life.

She is also the mother of a 22-year-old son. When he was about eight years old, they began visiting the animal center simply to spend time with the animals. They would put money down to sponsor pets, hoping to help them get adopted more quickly. Then one day, Felkins fell in love with a cat. She decided to foster him and eventually adopted him.

“We kept fostering for the love of animals and to provide an experience for my son of caring for others who are less fortunate,” Felkins said.

In the early years, they “foster failed” more than once, choosing to adopt the animals they brought home. Over time, they learned how to give each foster the love and stability needed to prepare them for permanent homes.

Today, Felkins is proud to say her son volunteers at the shelter, a full-circle moment that reflects the values they built together.

Because of her background as a trauma nurse, Felkins and her family often take in animals requiring intensive care. They have cared for pets recovering from amputations and burns, animals suffering from severe emaciation, and tiny kittens requiring bottle feeding. Living close to the shelter allows them to respond quickly when urgent needs arise.

“They need to know love so that they can attach to humans and know they are safe,” she said. “We cry every time a foster is adopted because we have loved them. I always say that if I stop crying, it will be time to stop fostering.”

For her, fostering means saving lives, sometimes quite literally being the reason an animal survives. She also serves as a resource for newer fosters, offering guidance and encouragement as they learn.

“Having a direct effect on a living creature, literally being the reason an animal is alive, is beyond description,” Felkins said.

Her advice to anyone considering fostering is straightforward: Jump in. Support is available, and the impact is immeasurable. As long as she is able, she plans to continue opening her home and her heart to the animals who need it most.

New online donation portal now available

Supporting the animals at the Wake County Animal Center is now easier than ever. Our new online donation portal offers multiple payment options, including most major credit and debit cards, as well as eCheck, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal and Venmo. Donors can also create an account to track their giving history, save payment information and set up recurring donations.

Prefer to donate by mail? Send a check made out to "Wake County Government" directly to the Animal Center at:

Wake County Animal Adoption Center

820 Beacon Lake Drive

Raleigh, NC 27610

Set up a monthly payroll deduction if your company offers this option!

Every donation helps provide care, enrichment and medical support for animals in our shelter. Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of homeless pets.

Donate Now!

A perfect match

Meet Jhonny Craig, adopted from the Wake County Animal Center in February 2026!

Sam chose to adopt because “a lot of pets needed homes.” But it was the eye contact with Jhonny Craig that sealed the deal.

Since coming home, Jhonny Craig has settled right in. Sam describes him as outgoing and friendly and says there was no adjustment period at all. Today, he does everything and goes everywhere with his family and, of course, loves a good case of the zoomies.

Sam’s advice for anyone considering adoption? “All pets need homes.”

Thinking about adding a new best friend to your family? Consider adopting from a shelter. You might just make eye contact with your perfect match.

Share your adoption story

Did you adopt a pet from the Wake County Animal Center?

We’d love to hear your story! Whether you adopted recently or many years ago, tell us how you and your pet are doing.

Your story could be featured on our website and social media and help inspire others to adopt.

Fill out the form and tell us your story!

Our Amazon wishlist

You can make a difference for the animals at the Wake County Animal Center by purchasing an item from our Amazon Wishlist. Our dedicated staff relies on continuous support to provide the best care possible for the animals. From food and toys to essential cleaning supplies, each item on the list helps improve the daily lives of our animals while easing the strain on resources. We are especially in dire need of treats right now.

Treats are used in every aspect of animal care; walking, training, veterinary exams, enrichment and more. They’re essential tools for helping our dogs feel safe, loved and mentally stimulated.

Please consider donating directly from our Amazon Wishlist OR mail/drop off donations at Wake County Animal Center, 820 Beacon Lake Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610.

Your contribution, no matter how big or small, directly supports the well-being of these pets as they wait for their forever homes. Thank you for your kindness and generosity!

September holidays

September is National Preparedness Month, a great time to make sure your pets are ready for an emergency, too. Create a pet emergency kit, keep identification and important records up to date, and make a plan for where your pets will go if you need to evacuate. A little preparation now can help keep your pets safe when it matters most. Learn more and find helpful pet preparedness tips on our website.

Every year on Sept. 28, communities around the world recognize World Rabies Day and raise awareness about preventing rabies. This year’s theme, “Stronger Together,” highlights the importance of working together to prevent and ultimately eliminate this deadly but preventable disease. Rabies is caused by a virus that spreads through the saliva of an infected animal, most commonly through a bite or other direct contact. Vaccinating pets, avoiding contact with unfamiliar or wild animals and knowing what to do after a potential exposure are important steps everyone can take to help protect people and animals from rabies. Learn more on our website.