Cumberland County Animal Services Waiving Pet Adoption Fees in Early May

Cumberland County Animal Services is set to waive pet adoption fees for the first two weeks of May. So if you wish to bring a new furry friend into your life but the fees were putting you off, you will rejoice at this news.

The fee waiver is the result of the department's recent partnership with BISSELL Pet Foundation.

Founded in 2011, BISSELL Pet Foundation is a non-profit animal welfare organization that seeks to end pet homelessness. The foundation partners with hundreds of shelters and animal service departments across the country to combat the ongoing pet overpopulation problem.

BISSELL Pet Foundation regularly hosts adoption events and spay/neuter programs, and also provides vaccinations, microchipping and emergency support services. One of their signature programs since 2016 - the one in which Cumberland County Animal Services is participating - is their Empty the Shelters National Adoption Event.

Starting May 1 and running through May 15, Cumberland County Animal Services will offer fee waivers for all dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. Cumberland County is participating in this nationwide event, along with 410 pet shelters across 43 states.

In a recent news release, Animal Services Director Elaine Smith emphasized the importance of events like this, and expressed excitement over the department's recent partnership.

"Cumberland County Animal Services is honored to participate in the BISSELL Pet Foundation Empty the Shelter event," Smith said. "We have many animals waiting to be part of their forever homes and believe this event will allow more people access to adopt a loving pet."

For more information about BISSELL Pet Foundation and their mission to end pet homelessness, please visit bissellpetfoundation.com. You can also see a complete list of adoptable pets through Cumberland County Animal Services on their website by clicking here.

You can also visit the county's animal shelter at 4704 Corporation Dr. Fayetteville, NC 28306. The shelter is open Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Saturday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. and is closed on Sunday.

The city of Fayetteville is just day's away from celebrating one of the city's most beloved yearly traditions: the 2024 Fayetteville Dogwood Festival!

The festival kicks off Friday, April 26 and runs all throughout the following weekend, wrapping up on the evening of Sunday, April 28. Whether you're a first-time visitor, or a longtime Dogwood Fest attendee, there are a few key things you need to know about the weekend-long event.

First and foremost, yes the Dogwood Festival is a FREE community event. An unrelated consultant report caused some confusion recently, but there was no plan at all to charge people to come to the Dogwood Festival. So again, we repeat, it's a FREE community event.

The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival has been a staple of the community for over four decades. The non-profit event takes place every year on the final weekend of April, offering free admission to a wide variety of fun, family-friendly activities in the historic hub of Downtown Fayetteville. According to its mission statement, the ultimate goal of the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival is to "encourage unity through the celebration of (the city's) diversity, while educating the public on (this city's) rich history, and fostering civic pride."

Traditionally the city of Fayetteville has always held a spring and fall version of the Dogwood Festival. For this year's spring event families can expect a weekend full of delicious food from local vendors, live musical performances from North Carolina-based artists, beautiful handmade crafts, and so much more.

When it comes to musical performances, this year's Dogwood Festival will be quite unique to previous events. Instead of national headliners, this year the festival will shine a spotlight on incredible North Carolina musicians, as the festival works on a transition year. On Saturday, April 27 visitors will have a chance to see NC Christian rock bands Two Dimensional and Set For The Fall, followed by a performance from up-and-coming North Carolina country artist Nicholas Vernon.

I recently had the chance to talk with Nicholas Vernon about his approaching Dogwood Fest performance. Growing up in the nearby city of Vander, North Carolina, Nicholas has many fond memories of the Dogwood Festival. "One of my favorite shows was the year that the Dogwood had .38 Special come. For me to be standing there listening to one of the most iconic southern rock groups to ever exist, I was like, 'man, this festival is awesome!'"

And now things have come full circle for Vernon, who will get his chance to play the same event that enchanted him all those years ago.

With the 2024 Fayetteville Dogwood Festival fast approaching, here's all the useful information you need to make the most out of the weekend for you and your family.

The 2024 Fayetteville Dogwood Festival kicks off on Friday, April 26 with a performance from the 82nd Airborne Division All-American Rock Band - Riser Burn. The band will perform from 6-9pm Friday night.

On Saturday, April 27 the festival will offer a variety of attractions, including carnival rides, food trucks, giveaways, live music and more.

Finally, on Sunday, April 28 the festival will feature events like the Classic Car & Truck Cruise, as well as Air Born Aerial Arts. Over 100 vendors will be present for Sunday's festivities.

The full schedule of events for the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival can be seen here.

To maintain a lighthearted and family-friendly environment, the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival has certain rules that all visitors must follow. No weapons or canopies are allowed in the festival space, along with coolers or outside containers. Pets are also prohibited, though an exception can be made for service animals.

For a full list of Dogwood Festival rules and guidelines, click here.

https://www.thedogwoodfestival.com/spring-stay-overnight

If you're visiting from outside the Fayetteville area but wish to stay close by for entire weekend-long event, you're in luck! There are a plethora of hotel options available nearby, with many of them accepting the festival's promo code when you book your reservation.

Click here for an entire list of available lodging options for the Dogwood Festival.

The Dogwood Festival is always looking for volunteers who are eager to help the event go off without a hitch. While the deadline for volunteer registration was technically on April 5, you are still able to sign up for volunteer opportunities for this event as well as future festivals by clicking here.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the Dogwood Festival organization by calling 910-323-1934.

Their mailing address is P.O. Box 1321, Fayetteville, NC 28301.