45k Dogs, Cats Euthanized in Year at Triad Animal Shelters

STOKES COUNTY, NC (WGHP) — Sarah Johnson and three coworkers at the Stokes County Animal Shelter euthanize pets every day, but they said it never gets easier emotionally.

"I don't think everybody is aware of how big the problem is and the pain it causes," said Johnson, a life-long florist who became an animal control officer at age 54.

Records from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture show Triad shelters put down more than 45,000 dogs and cats in 2010, the latest numbers available. That averages to one animal every 12 minutes.