Governor And First Lady McCrory Host Adopt A Pet Event I | Eastern North Carolina Now

 Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory and First Lady Ann McCrory hosted an Adopt a Pet Event today on the front lawn of the Executive Mansion.

 "Ann and I rescued our dog Moe in 2010, and he has been a beloved member of our family ever since," Governor McCrory said. "We are so happy for the families who adopted today and for the pets who now have homes."

 "All pets deserve to live a happy, healthy life with a family who loves them," said First Lady McCrory. "Today, many previously homeless cats and dogs went home with a family and will now get the life that they deserve, and the pets will teach their new families about responsibility, commitment, love and loyalty. I am grateful for all of the organizations and individuals who came out today to honor the memory of Ernest and rescue a pet."


 The event was held in memory of Ernest, a French bulldog who was rescued from a puppy mill in 2012.

 "We would like to thank the Governor and First Lady of North Carolina for holding this adoption event in memory of our beloved dog Ernest, a puppy mill survivor," said Chris and Vanessa Budnick. "We are deeply honored by this beautiful tribute to his life that will provide loving homes for other abused, neglected and unwanted pets in the community. In spite of the neglect that Ernest suffered as a breeder at a puppy mill, he survived and lived the last three years of his life with boundless love and joy, winning the hearts of everyone he met. Our hope is that one day soon all pets will have a loving home without journeying through suffering first."

 Read more about Ernest, the French bull dog and puppy mill rescue here.

 The Office of the First Lady and the Office of the Governor partnered with the following organizations to provide the adoptable animals.


 Dr. Jennifer Lynn Federico, Animal Services Director at the Wake County Animal Center, and her famous dog, Mister Peters, were in attendance.

 "Adoption is possible at the Wake County Animal Care, Control & Adoption Center not just because of animal cruelty cases, but because of the large number of animals that are brought to us as owner-surrenders, strays and by Animal Control," said Dr. Jennifer Federico. "Adoption is not just a one-time event for WCAC, we have animals in need of loving homes year-round."


 ​"The SPCA is proud to be part of the First Lady and Governor's Adoption Event," said Darci VanderSlik, SPCA spokesperson. "This event means so much to us because it is in memory of a little French Bulldog named Ernest that the SPCA of Wake County rescued from a NC puppy mill. Ernest helped advocate for stronger commercial breeder regulations in NC, and campaigned alongside the First Lady and Governor on more than one occasion. Ernest passed away due to complications from the unscrupulous breeding practices at the puppy mill. It is our hope that many homeless pets find a family at this event, and his name will continue to fight to end puppy mills in NC."


 "We feel lucky to live in a state that cares so deeply about mistreated, hoarded and stray animals," said Pam Miller, Founder and Executive Director of SAFE Haven for Cats. "We are especially grateful to the First Family for giving us this opportunity to find loving homes for some of the cats rescued this July from a hoarder in Chatham County - the largest animal seizure in the State. These rescued cats are looking forward to the first real home they have ever known."


 "Paws4ever is thrilled to take part in this Adopt a Pet event at the Executive Mansion," said Kathryn Ruggeri, Executive Director of Paws4ever. "We are so grateful to Governor and First Lady McCrory for their commitment to rescue animals."


 "Cause for Paws wants to thank the First Lady and Governor McCrory for all of their efforts to raise awareness about homeless animals, said Charles McCombs, founder of Cause for Paws NC. "It is seldom CFP gets to introduce our adoptable pets to a statewide audience. Our dogs are all with volunteers who open their hearts and homes to homeless animals so they can heal and thrive -- then find their forever families. Most are pulled from high kill shelters; many with heartbreaking histories. It is great legacy this administration and Ernest have created. We hope all of the adoption event's furry guests find homes as loving as the one Ernest found.


 "Betsy and I are honored to be included in this event here today at the governor's executive mansion and applaud the efforts of Governor and Mrs. McCrory on behalf of homeless animals in North Carolina," said John Ficarro, Chairman and CEO of The Farley Foundation. "Our mission at The Farley Foundation is quite simple: 'Reduce and ultimately eliminate unnecessary euthanasia of adoptable animals in Moore County and elsewhere in North Carolina.' Subsequent to rescuing at-risk, adoptable animals from local 'kill' facilities, our objective is to provide quality care, assessment, socialization and temporary, transitional living space for these animals before being adopted into a compatible, forever home. We believe that as long as one adoptable, companion animal is killed at any facility due to lack of space or other unacceptable excuse, we are failing as a community. We do not accept that failure."

 John and his wife, Betsy, founded The Farley Foundation in 2014 in honor of their first rescue dog, Sir Farley of Pinehurst, who passed away in 2013.

 Shawna Carpenter, publisher of Great Dogs of Charlotte, was in attendance.

 "We would like to thank Governor and First Lady McCrory (and First Dog Moe) for their participation in the book Great Dogs of Charlotte, which benefits the Humane Society of Charlotte," said Shawna Carpenter. "Their enthusiasm and the gift of their valuable time was a key driver in the successful completion of the book."

 Famous Pit Bull Elle and her owner Leah Brewer were also at the event.

 "Elle the Pit Bull and I were honored to be invited to Governor Pat McCrory and First Lady Ann McCrory's Adopt a Pet Event," said Leah Brewer. "Elle proudly represents NC as the 2013 American Hero Dog with the American Humane Association and National Ambassador Dog with the State Farm Canine Assist Team. Elle is a registered working therapy dog and volunteers weekly to help people that need unconditional love. Dogs are our greatest teachers and through our canine education programs, we lead by example with the hope to promote positivity for dogs like Elle and the lifelong responsibility of a family pet. To honor the memory of Ernest, today and everyday. To me, his story is a reminder that every dog deserves a chance for a happy life."

 Clinical Veterinary Technicians Alex Osborne and Brittney Cochran from City Vet attended the event.

 "The impact pets have on our lives is profound; adopting a pet will undeniably change two lives forever," said Dr. Patrick McCrory.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov