Happy Holidays from the Wake County Animal Center!

As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to say thank you to our adopters, volunteers, fosters and friends. Your compassion and dedication help us care for every pet that comes through our doors, and we couldn’t do it without you.

This holiday season, we celebrate the joy, love and furry companionship that our animals bring into our lives. Whether you’ve adopted, fostered, volunteered, donated or shared your time, your support has made a lasting difference.

From all of us at the Wake County Animal Center, we wish you a safe, happy and heartwarming holiday season and a wonderful New Year filled with love, laughter and wagging tails!

Click to watch the video!

Dogs, Cameras, Action! How one volunteer helps shelter dogs shine

Despite the chilly winter mornings, frosty air and early sunsets, Joanne Wetzel never misses a day at the Animal Center. She’s out there capturing photos of our pets and making sure each one is shown in the best possible light.

A dedicated long-time volunteer, Joanne is an essential part of our team. If you visit the Center, you’ll often spot her with a heavy backpack loaded with cameras and treats, patiently working with each pet, sometimes for hours, to get the perfect shot that showcases their unique character and personality. After all that hard work, she hopes her photos will touch hearts and inspire people to open their homes to another furry friend.

While Joanne runs Five Freedoms Photography: Raleigh Pet Photographer , she devotes the majority of her time to rescue photography. Check out the interview with Joanne, where she shares how she got started, the first dog she ever photographed, and why volunteering means so much to her.

“Home for the Holidays” adoption campaign

Imagine a dog dreaming of long walks with a new family to pick a Christmas tree, or a kitten wishing for cozy cuddles by the fireplace. That’s the magic happening this December at the Wake County Animal Center.

The Center’s “Home for the Holidays” campaign brings charming vintage holiday cards to life through animation. Each card becomes a playful scene showing what the pet dreams of, such as skating, playing under the tree, picking out presents or joining the holiday hustle and bustle with a family.

To make the season even brighter, Wake County Animal Center is offering special adoption fees throughout December: $25 for dogs and $5 for cats and kittens. Currently, there are 90 dogs, one rabbit, 40 cats and kittens at the Animal Center, along with 51 dogs, 59 cats and kittens in foster care.

Throughout the holiday season, we will share a vintage or antique postcard paired with the story of a real adoptable dog or cat on Wake County Animal Center’s social media pages. Inspired by the scene in the postcard—whether walking in the snow, playing with flowers or a ball of yarn—each pet will share its ‘holiday wish’ for a forever home. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, bring holiday joy to pets by giving them a home and love they deserve.

Ready to adopt? Check out our adoption gallery or come by and see the sweet faces for yourself! The shelter is open for adoptions daily from noon to 6 p.m., seven days a week. It is located at 820 Beacon Lake Drive, near the intersection of I-440 and New Bern Ave. in Raleigh.

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!

Check out our wishlist!