GREENSBORO, N.C. — The hundreds of hopeful faces peering out of kennels at Guilford Co. Animal Services (GCAS) (GCAS) are among the 6.1 million animals the ASPCA estimates enter shelters across the U.S. every year.
A dire need for adoptions, fosters and volunteers is why the Good Morning Show took the WFMY '2 The Rescue' initiative on the road to GCAS this Tues., Nov. 21, in hopes of helping homeless pets find forever families in time for the holidays.
THE SHELTER'S EVOLUTION
GCAS is marking progress in a rocky road dating back years. On Nov. 21, it officially celebrated two years in the new 30,000-square-foot building on Guilford College Rd., where six dog adoption areas and two cat adoption areas can accommodate up to 550 animals.
The outdoor play yards and grassy agility areas are a stark contrast to the old facility on Wendover Ave., which had structural issues and tight space, forcing regular overcrowding.
The move was the launch of a new era in a new space and with new leadership under director Jorge Ortega.
He took on the role in 2017 after the quick turnover of two previous directors and brings experience from animal welfare in New York City, Houston and Charlotte.
ADOPTIONS
GCAS has a wide variety of dogs, cats and other critters, like rabbits and guinea pigs, up for adoption. Adopters must be 18 with a valid government-issued ID. The shelter does not put 'holds' or 'reserves' on pets.
Adoptable animals come with spaying or neutering. Dog adoption fees are $50, cats are $25, kittens and puppies six months and younger are $75, senior dogs are $25, senior cats are $10 and rabbits/guinea pigs are $10.
For the month of December, GCAS is partnering with Bissell Foundations for the 'Empty the Shelter' campaign, reducing adoption fees and including a special "home for the holidays" ornament with each adoption.
Note: GCAS is closed on Tuesdays. If you see a pet, featured on the Good Morning Show, whom you would like to meet, learn more in the galleries below and visit the shelter during adoption hours.
- DOG ADOPTION GALLERY
- CAT ADOPTION GALLERY
- OTHER ANIMALS ADOPTION GALLERY
- Monday: 12:00 p.m.-4 p.m. Walk-Up Registrations
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 12:00 p.m.-4 p.m. Walk-Up Registrations
- Thursday: 12:00 p.m.-4 p.m. Walk-Up Registrations
- Friday: 12:00 p.m.-4 p.m. Walk-Up Registrations
- Saturday: 12:00 p.m.-4 p.m. Walk-Up Registrations
- Sunday: 12:00 p.m.-4 p.m. Walk-Up Registrations
RELATED: 2 The Rescue: Meet the pets!
FOSTERING
GCAS is looking for foster families who can provide loving, temporary living arrangements for animals who cannot stay at the shelter.
Animals most in need of foster care are puppies and kittens younger than eight weeks, animals recovering from medical treatment and animals needing socialization, behavior modification or stress relief.
Fosters must be Guilford Co. residents who are at least 18 and have valid driver's licenses. If they are renters, they must provide proof of permission from the landlord or property manager.
VOLUNTEERING
Volunteers are a critical component of GCAS's success, and the shelter is seeking applications always.
Each volunteer must commit to a minimum of 24 service hours within a one-year period and be at least 18. Opportunities for volunteering include:
- Administrative
- Dog enrichment
- Dogs Day Out (socializing and walking)
- Events
- Photography / writing / creative services
- Virtual adoptions
- Early morning kennel cleaning
- Canine comfort crew
- Cat enrichment
- Lobby greeter
- Pet of the Week (media appearances)
DONATIONS
GCAS relies on generous donations from community members and needs a number of items regularly.
Items currently most in demand are dog treats (the "soft and smelly kind that are great for training and enrichment."
Items unable to be accepted include used blankets or towels, opened or expired food, heavily-used toys and pet beds.
GCAS is a huge proponent of controlling the pet population through spaying/neutering and requires pets to be spayed/neutered prior to adoption.
It also helps the community through its voucher program, which issued 1,396 vouchers since July this year. With more funding, GCAS aims to continue the program in the near future.
