Nine community animal shelters across the state have been awarded grants through the NCDA&CS’ Animal Welfare Section to help them make improvements to their facilities to help better serve animals in their care.

• Last week our Animal Welfare Section in the Veterinary Division notified nine animal shelters across the state that they would be receiving a grant to fund improvements at their facilities.

• I know that was very welcomed news and will be put to good use making some much needed repairs.

• Some people might not know we inspect 900 public and private shelters along with boarding kennels and pet shops to ensure they meet the requirements of the animal welfare laws. These laws are meant to help protect animals in their care.

• This grant program is intended to help shelters make the needed improvements to be able to come into compliance with the Animal Welfare Act.

• Many local government-run shelters have been faced with staffing shortages, an increased number of animals from the community and limited funding for repairs.

• The Animal Shelter Support Fund was once used only for emergencies from hurricanes and other natural disasters.

• But thanks to a legislative change, we can now also award funding to shelters needing upgrades and other repairs.

• We know these funds will be beneficial to the shelters receiving them and the animals in their care. 

• Shelters submitted requests for funding, plus an itemized list of costs for each requested project.

• Shelters in Anson, Davidson, Greene, Halifax, Person, Robeson, Rowan, Stokes and Washington counties received funding.

• I am grateful for the support of our legislators for this program and hope we can offer more grants in the future as this helps shelters address very specific needs.