— For the second time in a week, generosity will save the lives of homeless animals in North Carolina shelters.

According to the Wake County Animal Center, a $5,000 gift from the Whitley Law Firm of Raleigh will mean lowered adoption fees at the shelter for the entire month of December. Over the next month, adoption fees for dogs are lowered to $25, and adoption fees for cats are lowered to $10.

That’s a discount of $70 for dogs and $35 for cats.

"This gift could not have come at a better time, because we’ve had an unexpected surge of animals this fall, and we’ve been running very low on space at the shelter,” said Dr. Jennifer Federico, director of the Wake County Animal Center.

The Raleigh shelter isn't the only one receiving a heaping serving of holiday kindness.

Earlier this week, an anonymous donor's gift to the Vance County Animal Shelter promised to take care of all adoption fees for dogs and cats through Dec. 23.

Staff hope the gifts will help them clear the shelters before Christmas.

According to the Wake County Animal Center, the Raleigh shelter on Beacon Lake Drive has not been forced to euthanize animals for space in more than three years thanks to help from fosters and rescue groups. Other North Carolina shelters, particularly those in rural areas, can't say the same.

According to Elaine Smith, the director of Cumberland County Animal Services, overcrowding and euthanasia are common at many North Carolina shelters. Earlier this month, the Fayetteville shelter said it would be forced to euthanize animals if any more were surrendered.

Shelter staff consistently reach out to rescue groups and fosters for help, but overcrowding is a problem even with those efforts, Smith said, adding that her home and her colleagues' are often full with "last chance" animals.

According to Public Animal Shelter reports, the Robeson County Animal Shelter reported 4,493 euthanized animals in 2018, by far the most in the state. Coming in a distant second was Johnston County with 2,703.

You can help local animal shelters by adopting a pet, volunteering or donating money or supplies.