News 14 Carolina's Amy Thorpe spoke to people on both sides of the debate.
RALEIGH -- The public got a chance to speak out Monday night about a new county rule that would bring more stray animals to the Wake County Animal Control and Adoption Center. The SPCA of Wake County sponsored the public forum.
Kim Parker, an animal lover and SPCA volunteer from Cary, came to the SPCA Monday night. She believes stray animals from her town should go to the SPCA, not the Wake County Animal Shelter.
"I'm very concerned about the welfare of animals in our community. I want to make sure they find the best possible homes,” said Parker.
Under the new rules, 1,500 more animals would go to the county shelter, which already took in 10,000 strays last year.
A new rule by the Wake County Environmental Services Department would require stray animals from Cary and Garner to be taken to the county shelter by July 1. They used to go to the SPCA.
That would mean 1,500 more animals would go to the county shelter that already took in 10,000 strays last year.
"They're going to reduce their space exponentially. This is a capacity issue,” said Hope Hancock, executive director of the SPCA of Wake County.
Animal activists feel that if more animals are brought to the Wake County Animal Control and Adoption Center instead of the SPCA, it would mean less room for animals. Thus, more animals will have to be euthanized.
"We wouldn't have gone down this path if we thought that would be the case. In fact, that's exactly the reason we have not extended the invitation to the City of Raleigh,” said Michael Williams, director of the Wake County shelter.
“This is Wake County. This is the Research Triangle Park. The world looks at the Research Triangle Park; that we're still doing gas euthanasia is inexcusable,” added Hancock.
Wake County shelter officials say there is nothing cruel about the shelter's gas chamber and they comply with new state rules on euthanizing animals. The SPCA feels lethal injection is more humane. Of the animals euthanized by the county shelter, six percent are gassed.
Both sides agree that they have to work together for the four legged friends of Wake County.
"We don't want this to be a turf battle. It's all for the good of the animals,” said Parker.
Wake County Animal Shelter officials say they plan to start foster programs to offset the increase in animals. New euthanasia laws begin April 1.