Effective this past Saturday, the Wake County Animal Center has enacted a new policy barring anyone under the age of 18 from its adoption floor. Officials at the Center have stated that this measure is aimed at enhancing safety and creating a more peaceful environment for both the animals awaiting adoption and potential adoptive families. According to Wake County's announcement, this step is part of a broader initiative to mitigate stress levels amongst their sheltered animals and facilitate a better experience for visitors.
"We understand that many families enjoy visiting the Animal Center and we value the community’s support," Wake County Commissioner Vickie Adamson remarked in a statement released by Wake County. However, the official emphasized the necessity of the policy to "maintain a safe environment for all, help reduce stress for the animals and improve the experience for adopters." While the new rule prevents children from entering the adoption floor, it does not preclude them from participating in the animal adoption process. Families with children are encouraged to adopt pets in foster care or choose from the adoption gallery; they can later be involved in the pet's homecoming post-adoption.
The directive from the Wake County Animal Center comes amid concerns over the potential overstimulation of animals caused by the presence of younger visitors, especially when the Center operates at high capacity throughout the year. "Dogs are a beloved part of the family, and we know children love visiting them, but the shelter environment can be overwhelming and stressful for many pets," said Dr. Jennifer Federico, director of the Wake County Animal Center, in what the county described. By restricting access to the adoption floor to adults, the Center seeks to foster a calmer space that contributes positively to the animals' welfare as they await permanent homes, as per Wake County's release.
For those interested in pet adoption, the Wake County Animal Center remains open to the public daily from noon to 6 p.m., and warmly invites adopters to review the adoption gallery in person or via their website. Located at 820 Beacon Lake Drive, the center continues to facilitate connections between the animals in their care and individuals eager to welcome a new companion into their lives.
