Central NC animal shelters need immediate foster homes ahead of record heat risk during holiday weekend

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — With record heat expected through the Fourth of July weekend, animal shelters across the Triangle are making an urgent plea for help.

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Animal shelter staffers said many of their animals are feeling the stress of overcrowded conditions and extreme heat, and that short-term fostering of animals could make a massive difference.

“The shelters are already overcrowded, and with the heat and the possibility of HVACs breaking, it’s super important that these animals have a climate-controlled environment in which to live. Fostering is always important, but especially right now,” said Julie Paddison, executive director of Second Chance Adoptions, based on Raleigh.

Paddison added that many animals, especially cats, have a stress hormone that can instantly flare up in extreme conditions.

“Especially in a crowded shelter and adding the heat on top of it. Cats are predisposed, especially when they’re stressed, they get tend to get upper respiratory infections. Their eyes get weepy and infected. They sneeze, they have trouble breathing,” said Paddison.

Another animal shelter, Safe Haven for Cats, said it is currently caring for about 120 cats, which is the shelter’s capacity.

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About 40 of those cats are available for immediate foster placement.

“We are reaching out to our community that we have a great deal of need for additional fosters. We could never have too many fosters,” said Patti Godin, director of operations, Safe Haven for Cats, based in Raleigh.

Godin said that although the shelter has reliable air conditioning, it is more comfortable for cats to be in loving homes instead of cages during extreme heat.

“Being in a home, knowing that there are people there all of the time, they can sit with them, run around, get playtime, get great food,” Godin said. “That’s the mark of a great, loving foster home. I can’t think of any cat that doesn’t benefit from that. Whether it’s two days, two weeks to months, it’s a huge difference.”

Anyone interested in fostering can apply, and even a short-term foster can help free up space at the shelter. For more information, click here.

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