Roanoke animal shelter at capacity, all cats and dogs are free

There is not much room left at the Regional Center for Animal Care and Protection in Roanoke. It's nearly reached capacity for dogs and cats. So the shelter is hosting an event where you could go home with a new member of the family for free.

According to the interim director, Mike Warner, the shelter currently has 95 dogs and 174 cats.

"If you're looking to adopt a pet, now's a good time," he said.

One reason now is such a good time is because they expect more pets will come in over the July 4th holiday.

"The fireworks really cause a problem for the dogs, gets them scared," Warner explained. "They'll jump their fences, get out of their kennels, get loose. Then Animal Control will pick them up and bring them here."

He's hoping to free up kennels for those dogs by hosting an ice cream social adoption event on Saturday.

"Just kind of a family day to come by your local shelter and take a look at our animals. See if there's something you'd like to take home with you."

One of the dogs available for adoption is a two-year-old shepherd-pitbull mix named Rocky. He loves to play outside, is great with other dogs.

"There's just a great amount of dogs back there that are just looking for a forever home and we're just asking the citizens to come in and take a look," Warner said. "If you're looking for one, please stop by and see what we have to offer."

If fostering or adopting isn't something you can do, there's still a way you can help your hometown pets.

"We also have a program here called Pet Food Pantry," Warner said. "It helps the people in the community that might be struggling to buy pet food. So if you're coming by tomorrow, bring a bag of dog food or cat food and we can put that in our pet food pantry."

The Regional Center for Animal Care and Protection's ice cream social is from 11:30 to 2 o'clock on Saturday, June 23. There will be music and a chance for you to play with the dogs and cats.

All dogs and cats, vaccinated, microchipped, and free to adopt.

The shelter is open till 6 o'clock so you can also stop by later in the afternoon.