The Haven achieved a milestone last week when the no-kill animal shelter claimed its 5,000th pet from the Moore County Animal Center.

Volunteers from the Hoke County-based shelter picked up six dogs altogether -- a shepherd mix, a Lab mix, a hound mix, a Lab-basset mix and two other hounds.

That leaves six slots for the county-operated shelter to fill with dogs that are lost or abandoned. It also means that six dogs will not be put to death for lack of space.

"The Haven's part in reducing this heart-wrenching task is greatly appreciated," said Al Carter, Moore County animal control director.

Carter said the county shelter takes in more than 4,000 unwanted and stray dogs and cats from within the county every year. This has happened annually for the past six years, the same period in which The Haven has taken animals from Moore County for adoption by residents of Hoke, Cumberland and other neighboring counties.

"As we only have room for 100 animals at a time, if they can't be adopted, we are forced to put them down to make room for new ones," Carter said.

Pat Newton, a Moore County volunteer with The Haven-Friends for Life, said the six dogs pulled from the local shelter were taken to the no-kill center, where they will be quarantined for a number of days while receiving such attention as rabies shots and spay and neuter procedures. Then they were to be taken to Fayetteville, where they will be available for adoption from a much larger population.

The Haven finds homes for more than 2,000 animals in the Fayetteville area every year.

"The Haven appreciates working with Animal Control of Moore County and their concern for the well-being of the animals," Newton said. "Unlike many animal control units, Moore County does not want to see healthy, adoptable animals euthanized."

Newton added that a "great to be alive, celebrate 5,000" party is being planned in early spring to recognize the dogs and cats whose lives have been saved through this collaboration.

"The staff of the Moore County Animal Center is extremely grateful for The Haven's loyal partnership with adoptions over the years," said Carter. "Relationships, such as we have with The Haven, are significant to contributing to our primary goal of lowering our euthanasia rate."

The arrangement also saves the county the cost of euthanizing healthy dogs and cats.

Founded by Linden Spear, The Haven is the largest no-kill shelter in North Carolina.

For the past six years, volunteers have annually removed 500 to 900 of the more adoptable pets from the Moore County shelter and found homes for them. They take puppies, kittens, small dogs, long-haired cats and purebreds.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at 947-4962 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.