By Scott Cole

Right now, there are lots of dogs and cats waiting to be someone's best friend. Many shelters and agencies across eastern North Carolina are filled with pets that need a good place to call home.

"There is a 100 percent need right now. We can't really rescue an animal until they are adopted, " said Tyra Scroggins, president of Cause-N-Dog Animal Rescue in Snow Hill. "When someone adopts one of our dogs, they are saving the life of one."

"We've got an unlimited amount of animals on the streets and many being killed in kill shelters. And people get mad at the county government for it, but there is no space for them all,” she said. “There are nowhere near enough families for all the dogs and cats that need a good home. If people would spay and neuter their dogs, there would be less hurt dogs and cats out there and we wouldn't have so many being euthanized. Adopters, help rescue agencies like us continue to do what they do, and that is saving lives."

Many people who look to adopt only want a little puppy or kitten. However, many people sometimes drop off an older pet at shelters.

"They need to live out their lives in comfort, not in a kennel or shelter. They need to be someplace warm and loved to pass out the rest of their days, " said Patty Roddy-Jones, the CEO and founder of Top RJ's Animal Rescue and Rehab in Pollocksville.

The rehab was devastated during Hurricane Florence, with the shelter building destroyed. The animals are now being taken care of outdoors.

"We have been doing OK, considering we lost all of our kennels because of the storm," Roddy-Jones said. "We are very much dependent on donations. We've lost everything. We currently have 36 animals we are taking care of. During and after the storm, we had almost 160 animals."

Roddy-Jones encouraged anyone who is thinking about adopting a pet to visit a shelter.

"Come on out and see dogs,” she said. “Go to any shelter in the area. Don't necessarily look for puppies. Look for the dog that gets attached to you and you see if you get attached to it. Give everyone a chance. Even if you can't keep one, if you are willing to foster for the winter time, you are helping out a great deal."

Sherry Tripp, the shelter director of the Lenoir County SPCA cautioned potential adopters on making this decision.

"There is always a good need for permanent adopters, but pets should not be gifts," Tripp said. "A mom and dad getting something for their kids is one thing. Someone adopting a kitten or a puppy and just giving it someone else gives us lots of unwanted pets to take care of. We want people to come and take them because they want them.

"Sometimes, people get pets and don't want them or know how to take care of them. There is often a lot of return of these animals. Some people can't afford them or are unable to have them. If you come here and adopt it for someone else, you have to know that they want one. It may sound like a good idea, but it might not be what they want or need. Animals’ lives are more important than just a gift. Every year, we go through this."

If you have the ability to take in new friend, please visit a local shelter. If not, please consider dropping off some badly needed supplies such as food or towels.

The Lenoir County SPCA is holding its annual “Home For The Holidays” Christmas fundraiser for its animals, with all of the proceeds going toward the care of dogs and cats at the shelter.

“Anyone can sponsor a shelter pet and we have a little over 100 animals under our care,” Board secretary LeAnne Avery said. “For $10, you can give a pet a home-cooked meal on Christmas day, a toy and special attention. Also, the money we raise will be used for the medical fund — if there was a puppy who came in with a broken leg, we would use those funds to rehab it. A lot of counties don’t have those resources and we’re trying to do our part to help build.”

The $10 donation can be sent to Second Chances Thrift Store on Vernon Avenue, where a complimentary ornament with a shelter pet’s photo inside will be given. The store is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations can also be sent to lenoircountyspca.org and anyone looking to volunteer at the shelter on Christmas Day can call 252-520-0003.

Junious Smith III contributed to this story.