People in Wake County are speaking out on behalf of the animals they love.

"I'm here to help bring awareness that the dog adoption rooms do not have adequate temperatures," said animal advocate Greg Adams.

Greg Adams and other animal lovers rallied at the Wake County Courthouse during a County Commission meeting to make officials aware of their concerns about the conditions of the Wake County Animal Shelter.

"I started going into the cages and getting intimate with the animals, giving them cool water baths and massages," said advocate Jane Tzilvelis. "Then I realized what a great stress they were under."

Documents show a number of violations with ventilation and temperature at the Wake County Animal Shelter last summer with temperatures above 89 degrees.

Tommy Esqueda, Director of Environmental Services for Wake County, overseas the shelter and said something is being done. The county budget includes a $2.5 million dollar improvement plan for the shelter.

"A couple of things will be moved forward. One of them is the additional kennel space for the dogs and cats and air conditioning or air handling system," Esqueda said.

Esqueda said the plan won't be implemented until the summer of 2010 but they are doing everything to keep temperatures at the shelter below the mandatory 85 degrees.