Animal adoption event brings rescued animals and families together

GREENVILLE, NC (WNCT) — Finding a furry home for animals to adopt was the mission of the Carolina Animal Network, which hosted an event at Pet Supplies Plus in Greenville on Sunday.

People came looking for a pet that needed a loving home. Some people have even traveled for hours to meet and bring home their new fur baby.

“We are a foster family rescue. We have no facilities, all of our dogs are removed from local shelters days, hours, sometimes minutes before being euthanized,” said Carolina Animal Network volunteer Lindsay Podruchny.

Carolina Animal Network is a non-profit organization made up of volunteers. Its mission is to save animals from euthanasia. Rescued cats and dogs stay with foster families until adopted. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of animals in need of a family.

“During COVID we had a bunch of dog and cat adoptions, everyone was home, it was great. Everyone wanted a furry friend. Now that people are going back to work, they’re starting suddenly realizing that maybe it was too much for them, and more and more dogs are being abandoned or even left on the side of the road,” Podruchny said.

Volunteers said the shelters are very full at the moment, which is one of the reasons the event took place. A woman came to the Charlotte event to bring home a new kitten, while another newly married couple brought home their first puppy together.

The purpose of the event was not only to get animals adopted but also to educate the community.

“It’s true, dogs really are euthanized in shelters,” Podruchny said. “A lot of times people turn a blind eye or don’t really believe it, and sadly it’s true.

“Luckily we have tons of rescue groups in the area helping and pulling dogs to prevent it, but without the support of our community we could never do it.”

If you’d like to adopt an animal through the rescue, but couldn’t make it to Sunday’s event, go to Carolina Animal Network for more information on how to foster or adopt.