Common cat (CBS 17 file photo)
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Coming up with the costs of caring for a pet is becoming an increasing challenge for pet owners.
Gus Surilliantafilopoulos lined up two hours early at Wake County's Community Pet Day to make sure his cat grandchild would be cared for on Sunday.
This event will provide free microchips and vaccines for dogs and cats.
Thriantafillopoulos said this is a great service to the community.
“It's so amazing. I mean, I can't express my gratitude to the county,” he said, adding that the main reason he waited in line was to make sure his cat was microchipped. Ta.
“They are mainly indoor cats. If they run away and we can't find them, someone else might find them for us,” Suriantafilopoulos said.
Megan Frost, Community Outreach Manager at the Wake County Animal Center, said the cost of caring for a pet is the number one reason people surrender them to a shelter.
“We're just trying to do everything we can, to the best of our ability, to leave pets with loving families,” Frost said.
The county supports approximately 200 families at each of these events. The long lines of people arriving hours in advance show how important these services are.
With county shelters once again reaching capacity, every animal microchipped on Community Pet Day will end up being one less animal sent to adoption.
Frost said it will take the entire community to keep pets with their owners and get them out of shelters.
“The best thing you can do is help prevent pets from becoming homeless in the first place. So if you have a friend, family member, member, colleague, neighbor, etc. who is struggling to keep a pet, please help. Give it to me,” Frost said.
The assistance provided by the county has been invaluable to Surliantafilopoulos in ensuring his family can keep a cat.
“Absolutely. There's no doubt about it,” he said.
The county has one more Community Pet Day scheduled this season. The final event will be held on April 21st at the Wake County Southern Regional Center (130 N Judd Parkway NE) in Fuquay-Varina. Click here for more information.
If you're looking for a pet, Wake County Animal Center waives fees for dogs and cats that are over 6 months old and available for adoption for more than 15 days.
