Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption

Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption Open Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 3pm-7pm and Saturday 10am-2pm. Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption (CARA)
Located in Sanford, NC 🐾
(299)

Our Mission Statement:

To promote responsible pet ownership through humane education, and to provide shelter and care to domestic companion animals until a loving, responsible home can be found, or lost pets are reunited with their guardians. At Carolina Animal Rescue and Adoption (CARA) we are dedicated to finding permanent and loving families for the homeless dogs and cats of North Carolina. CA

RA began rescuing homeless animals from across N.C. in April 2003, and we have placed countless animals in wonderful homes across the country. CARA is dedicated to providing the best service possible to the animals in our care and the families who adopt from us. We take pride in adopting healthy animals and go to great lengths to pair each pet with the perfect family. CARA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer organization that operates on individual and corporate donations and fundraising proceeds. We do not receive any funding from government agencies or national animal welfare agencies. We are very fortunate to have a caring and dedicated team of volunteers, board members, and supporters. We are a legitimate animal rescue that only adopts out healthy animals and is fully licensed by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.

🎉❤️ WE HAVE ANOTHER HAPPY UPDATE TO SHARE! ❤️🎉Our sweet senior boy, Whopper was ADOPTED yesterday! 🥹🏡And this one feels ...
08/30/2026

🎉❤️ WE HAVE ANOTHER HAPPY UPDATE TO SHARE! ❤️🎉
Our sweet senior boy, Whopper was ADOPTED yesterday! 🥹🏡

And this one feels extra special.

Whopper came to us after living in an outdoor pen where he was sleeping in a hole, and now this wonderful boy gets to spend the rest of his golden years exactly where he belongs—in a home, surrounded by love. ❤️ Just thinking about the difference between where his story started and where he is today makes our hearts so incredibly happy. 🥹

But we want you to know something: YOU helped make this possible.

To everyone who donated toward Whopper’s medical care so we could say “yes” to rescuing him in the first place—thank you. 🙏 To everyone who liked, commented on or shared one of his posts—thank you. 🙏 And, of course, to the wonderful person who opened their heart and home to our special senior guy—thank you for choosing Whopper. 🥹🐾

This is the power of social media. Something as simple as tapping like, comment or share on your phone can put one of our animals in front of the person who has been waiting for them. And when an animal like Whopper finds a loving home, it gives us the opportunity to turn around and help save another. ❤️

So when you see one of our adoptable animals pop up in your feed, please keep tapping those buttons! 👍💬↗️ You never know when YOUR share might be the one that reaches their future family.

Happy tails, sweet Whopper! 🥹 We hope your golden years are filled with cozy beds, endless love, lots of treats and all the comforts of home. You deserve every single bit of it. ❤️🏡🐾

📣 WE’LL SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS: BARN DOOR IS THE SWEETEST MARSHMALLOW AROUND! 📣🤍Seriously… how has this guy not been...
08/29/2026

📣 WE’LL SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS: BARN DOOR IS THE SWEETEST MARSHMALLOW AROUND! 📣🤍

Seriously… how has this guy not been scooped up yet?! Barn Door is 65 pounds of pure, squishy, snuggly sweetness wrapped up in one very handsome package. 🥹 He’s soft, he’s sweet, he’s lovable, and if “marshmallow” were a personality type, Barn Door would absolutely be it.

At 4 years old, Barn Door is past the wild puppy stage and ready to settle into the good life with a family of his very own. He’s child friendly, knows Sit, listens well and is just an all-around wonderful boy. He can go on walks with other dogs but he does need to be the only dog in his home so he can soak up ALL the attention, snuggles and love for himself. And trust us, this boy has plenty of love to give right back. ❤️

Barn Door is:
🤍 4 years old�
🤍 65 lbs.�
🤍 Neutered�
🤍 Microchipped�
🤍 Up to date on vaccines�
🤍 Child friendly�
🤍 Knows Sit & listens well�
🤍 Can walk with other dogs�
🤍 Needs to be the only dog in his home

He is truly such a gem, and we just can’t understand why someone hasn’t fallen head over heels for this sweet guy yet. Look at that face! 🥺

Maybe Barn Door’s person simply hasn’t seen him yet—so please share, share, SHARE and help us shout it from the rooftops until they do! 📣🏠

Apply to adopt him via the link in the comments or come meet him during open hours.

Open Hours:
Wed-Fri 3-7pm
Saturday: 10am-2pm

Location:
42 Deep River Rd.
Sanford, NC 27330

What are you doing on this stormy day? Sunflower has decided to stay indoors where she is dry, warm, and safe! She hopes...
08/29/2026

What are you doing on this stormy day? Sunflower has decided to stay indoors where she is dry, warm, and safe! She hopes that this can one day be the reality for every dog! However, Sunflower girl would be much more comfortable on someone’s couch right now!
She keeps getting overlooked and it makes us so sad! She is truly an amazing pup. 🐶🤍

Sunflower is:
•A year old 💛
•A boxer mix 🎁
•Dog friendly 🐾
•Not yet cat tested but can be upon request 🐈‍⬛
•A great walking/running buddy 🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♂️
•Playful and sweet 🍭

You can apply for Sunflower today! You won’t regret meeting her! 🌼

We hope everyone stays safe during the storms! ⛈️

Open Hours:
Wed-Fri 3-7pm
Saturday: 10am-2pm

Location:
42 Deep River Rd.
Sanford, NC 27330

Say hello to brothers Rocksteady & Bebop, two little Chihuahua mix pups who are ready to find families of their very own...
08/27/2026

Say hello to brothers Rocksteady & Bebop, two little Chihuahua mix pups who are ready to find families of their very own! ❤️

These boys are approximately 4 months old and just 9–10 lbs of legs, ears and adorable expressions. 😂 They can both be a little shy when they first meet someone new, but give them a little time to feel comfortable and their true personalities start to shine. Underneath that initial shyness are two super sweet, silly little guys who are sure to keep their future families smiling.

Rocksteady and Bebop originally came from a situation where they were being sold in a Walmart parking lot. Their owner became ill and was no longer able to care for them, so these brothers found their way to us. Now they're ready for the next—and hopefully very best—chapter of their lives. 🥹

Rocksteady and Bebop are looking for separate homes, so each little guy can find the family that's just right for him.

🐶 Rocksteady — the adorable little white pup�
🤎 Bebop — the handsome brown, tan & white pup�
🐾 Approximately 4 months old�
🐾 About 9–10 lbs�
🐾 Microchipped & up to date on vaccines
�🐾 Shy at first, then sweet, silly & lovable

Those ears alone deserve homes, don't you think?! 😍

Please apply to adopt via the link in the comments or come meet them during our open hours! ❤️🐾

If you’re unable to adopt them, please consider sharing this post to help us find them the loving homes they deserve.

Open Hours:
Wed-Fri 3-7pm
Saturday: 10am-2pm

Location:
42 Deep River Rd.
Sanford, NC 27330

👑 The princess is officially entering her QUEEN era! 👑Our tiny Katana will be 8 weeks old this Saturday, which means thi...
08/27/2026

👑 The princess is officially entering her QUEEN era! 👑

Our tiny Katana will be 8 weeks old this Saturday, which means this little lady is officially ready to pack her crown and head off to a furever home! 🖤

It’s hard to believe how much she’s grown since she first came to us in July as a teeny tiny baby needing around-the-clock care. We’ve watched her go from itty-bitty princess to the confident, hilarious and absolutely adorable Queen Katana you see today. 👑🐾

And trust us... this girl has PERSONALITY. 😂 Katana loves to eat, takes playtime very seriously and has plenty of kitten energy to keep you entertained. But when she’s ready to wind down, her sweet and snuggly side comes out. One of her favorite ways to be held is “baby style,” because apparently a queen deserves to be cradled. 🥹🖤

She’s also dog friendly and will be microchipped and up to date on vaccines prior to adoption.

Katana has done all the growing she needs to do to leave the nest—now she just needs someone to give her the royal treatment for the rest of her life. 👑🏡

Think your home could use a tiny queen? Apply to adopt Katana via the link in the comments! 🖤🐾 She is in a foster home so she requires an approved application to meet her.

Thanks to a generous $25,000 matching gift from The Ruby and Ernest McSwain Worthy Lands Trust, every dollar donated to ...
08/26/2026

Thanks to a generous $25,000 matching gift from The Ruby and Ernest McSwain Worthy Lands Trust, every dollar donated to CARA will be matched dollar-for-dollar until the full $25,000 match is claimed.

For decades, our shelter has helped house thousands of dogs and cats while they wait for their forever homes. Now, our facility needs repairs and upgrades so we can continue that work for thousands more.

$25 becomes $50.
$100 becomes $200.
$500 becomes $1,000.

Our goal is to raise $25,000 from our community and unlock the entire match, putting $50,000 toward shelter repairs and upgrades to make life better for the animals in our care.

The match is limited, so don’t wait. Help us unlock every dollar.

Donate now via the link in the comments. 🙏

In honor of National Dog Day, we want to share some of our adoptable dogs! Check the comments below the photo of each do...
08/26/2026

In honor of National Dog Day, we want to share some of our adoptable dogs! Check the comments below the photo of each dog for more info about them and you can find the adoption application in the comments.

Whopper’s story isn’t finished yet. In fact, we’re hoping the very best chapter is still waiting for him. ❤️🐾Right befor...
08/25/2026

Whopper’s story isn’t finished yet. In fact, we’re hoping the very best chapter is still waiting for him. ❤️🐾

Right before the 4th of July, we asked for your help rescuing this sweet senior from life in an outdoor pen, and the support Whopper received was incredible. Because so many people cared, he got his second chance. Now we’re asking for your help one more time—this time, to find Whopper a home where he can spend his golden years surrounded by love. 🏡❤️

Despite everything he’s been through, Whopper is always smiling, always sweet and an absolute joy to be around.He’s the kind of dog who makes it very easy to fall in love with him.

And Whopper really doesn’t ask for much. A comfy bed where he can rest those older joints. Some belly rubs and gentle pets. A little time to sniff around and explore. And, most importantly, someone to remind him every single day just how loved he is. 🥹

He may have some gray on his face, but don’t let that fool you! As you can see from these photos, Whopper still has plenty of pep in his step and enjoys getting out, exploring and soaking up attention. There is so much life and love left in this sweet boy, and we want nothing more than to see him enjoying it from the comfort of a home instead of at the rescue.

Whopper is neutered, microchipped and up to date on vaccines. All he’s missing now is his person. ❤️

If you have a soft spot for the seniors, please consider giving Whopper the retirement he deserves. Apply to adopt him through the link in the comments, or come meet him during our open hours.

And even if you can’t adopt, PLEASE SHARE this post. Somewhere out there is a comfy bed, a loving family and a place where Whopper belongs. Help us find it for him. 🥹❤️🐾

Open Hours:
Wed-Fri 3-7pm
Saturday: 10am-2pm

Location:
42 Deep River Rd.
Sanford, NC 27330

Remember sweet little Chiclet? 🥹🧡 Her glow-up has us feeling ALL the feelings.When we first shared Chiclet’s story, we w...
08/25/2026

Remember sweet little Chiclet? 🥹🧡 Her glow-up has us feeling ALL the feelings.

When we first shared Chiclet’s story, we were asking for help with her medical care. She had been found all alone in a parking lot, desperately needing someone to help her. Her eyes were severely infected, she was feeling terrible, and this tiny girl had a long road ahead of her.

Now look at her. 🥹❤️

After lots of love, care and much-needed medical attention, Chiclet is thriving! She has blossomed into the sweetest little girl who is incredibly affectionate, snuggly and full of personality. And now that she’s feeling so much better, her adorably playful side has come out in full force! She LOVES spending time playing and exploring in our cat room. 🐱🧶

Chiclet is approximately 3½ months old, microchipped and up to date on vaccines. She’s also cat friendly and child friendly, making her one pretty special little package. 🧡

Seeing her happy, playful and enjoying life after everything she went through makes our hearts so full. Now there’s just one more thing we want for her—a family of her very own. 🏡

If you fell in love with Chiclet when you first saw her story, just wait until you meet her now! Apply to adopt her through the link in the comments, or come spend some time with her in our cat room during open hours.

Please help us find Chiclet a loving home by sharing this post. 🙏

Open Hours:
Wed-Fri 3-7pm
Saturday: 10am-2pm

Location:
42 Deep River Rd.
Sanford, NC 27330

Meet PanFry! 🍳He was found wandering the streets all alone, scared, and pretty skinny. PanFry was pretty nervous at firs...
08/24/2026

Meet PanFry! 🍳

He was found wandering the streets all alone, scared, and pretty skinny. PanFry was pretty nervous at first but he has quickly learned that people can be kind. He has started to open up and he is such a sweet guy! 💛

He does find more confidence in the companionship of other dogs but another dog in the home is not a requirement.

PanFry is:
•A chihuahua/terrier mix 🤍
•3 years old ✨
•Good with dogs 🐕
•Not yet cat tested 🐱
•11 lbs ☕️

This tiny boy can be shy at first but if you give him some time, he opens up beautifully. Please apply for him today if interested!

You can find us at 42 Deep River Rd, Sanford, NC 27330, Wednesday-Friday 3-7 PM and on Saturday’s 10 AM-2 PM!

Address

42 Deep River Road
Sanford, NC
27330

Opening Hours

Wednesday 3pm - 7pm
Thursday 3pm - 7pm
Friday 3pm - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

+19197749433

Website

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