BY MARIO BOUCHER
The power of a pet’s unconditional love can change lives. “I was going through a very difficult time in my life [when] I visited the SPCA of Wake County to consider adopting a pet,” recalls Samantha Ranlet, a spokeswoman for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Wake County. “That day, I came home with the first dog I ever had in my life, and she was the light at the end of the tunnel for me. She gave me hope and she turned things around in a big way. Soon after, I decided I wanted to join the organization myself.”
Wake County Animal Services Director Jennifer Lynn Federico had no idea how pets would impact her life. “I now have six dogs at home,” she says. “It wasn’t a good fit for me to work in a corporate environment. I like working with people and talking about their pets. Helping to rescue pets can mean a lot of things. It can be helping animals in tough situations, like a dog that survived a fire that killed a family.”
Ranlet understands the impact one animal can make on its owners. “Every time I see pets come through our doors, they remind me of my dog and everything she means to me, and I imagine a pet contributing to a family’s life,” Ranlet says. “We look for people with good expectations because it is a lot of responsibility, and some pets have special needs. We want to make sure it is a good fit for the family and the pet as well.”
A pet’s unconditional love and playful nature can also help their owners deal with depression. “There is something very profound about having a pet around that can calm you down,” Ranlet says.
In order to bring pets into forever homes, local pet rescue organizations have a heavy weight to bear. According to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, North Carolina has the third-highest rate of animal shelter euthanasia in the country. “We partner with many animal control facilities that do not have the resources to provide the care needed to get animals ready for adoption,” says Molly Goldston, founder and executive director of Saving Grace Animals for Adoption in Raleigh.
Before you adopt, make sure you aren’t in a situation that may force you to rehome your pet. “If you are moving, consider what you need to plan for to take your pet with you,” Federico says. “If you are having a baby, prepare your dog in advance by working with a trainer. The Animal Center has routinely been booked out four to six weeks for an owner wanting to surrender their pets.”
Affordable pet care and spay/neuter services in North Carolina, especially in areas where these services are needed most, is still not often accessible. “In Wake County, we take for granted how accessible things may be for us. This can be very different
in a neighboring county,” Goldston says. “Rescues and shelters vary in their adoption process, and it is worth taking the time to find what works for you and the pet that will be your family.”
