GENERAL FAQ’s 

My child has allergies. Will that affect their attendance in your programs?

Charleston Animal Society houses a wide variety of domesticated animals.  The species interacted with during a program constantly changes based upon shelter population.  If your child has a severe allergy to any domesticated animals, it is recommended that they do not visit the shelter.  If your child has mild allergies, they are more than welcome to participate in a program, and choose to sit out/observe from afar during specific animal interactions.

The animals in our care receive daily enrichment that includes peanut butter. We cannot guarantee that participants will not come into contact with surfaces or animals that may have trace amounts of peanut butter. For this reason, we do not recommend that children with severe peanut allergies participate in our programs.

For any other allergy concerns, please contact us in advance of the program date.

Do all programs include animal interactions?

Excluding the Book Buddies program, all other education participants will have the ability to have hands-on interactions with animals.  However, please note that if a participant is acting in a way that is unsafe or adds additional stress to the animals in our care, we may reduce their animal interaction time, or in extreme cases, prohibit such interactions altogether.

My child is under 5.  What programs can they participate in?

For safety and liability reasons, our education programs are designed exclusively for children ages 5 and up.  We always welcome family visits to our adoption center during our business hours.

What is your refund policy for programs?

Our refund policies are slightly different for each individual program.  

• For our camp refund policy, please visit the camp page.  
• For our youth volunteer programs, no refunds will be issued for cancellations within 10 days of the program’s start date.
• All programs that require a fee at the time of booking (birthday parties, scout programs, field trips, etc.) will not be able to have their deposit refunded in the event of a cancellation.

What types of animals will my children be interacting with when participating in your programs?

Each year, Charleston Animal Society impacts the lives of over 20,000 animals.  As such, our animal population is constantly changing.  Animals chosen for education program interactions will be selected based upon health and temperament, and primarily consist of dogs, cats, and rabbits.

How does your scholarship program work?

Charleston Animal Society strives to secure scholarship funds in order to eliminate financial barriers for program participation.  As a nonprofit organization, scholarship funds may not always be available. If you are interested in applying for a partial scholarship, please contact De Daltorio at [email protected]. 

Please note:  

• All scholarship recipients are required to complete a post-program survey as part of the scholarship agreement.
• Filling out a scholarship application DOES NOT guarantee your spot in a program.  Once the application is received, you will be contacted for next steps.
• Scholarship recipients who do not attend or participate in the program without prior notice may be responsible for reimbursing the scholarship funds.

The program I am interested in is full. Will you be adding more sessions?

Yes!  We are constantly updating the website with new program opportunities.  Sometimes the best way to learn about new program dates is by subscribing to our education e-newsletter.  You can also always add your name to the waitlist for each individual program, in the event of any cancellations.  Waitlist information can be found on each program’s webpage.

What should I wear to attend a CAS education program?

In order to prevent accidental scratches during animal interactions, all participants must wear closed-toe shoes and long, thick pants.  We ask that you do not wear flip flops/sandals, shorts, and yoga pants/leggings.  Due to the nature of program activities and animal interactions, we advise wearing clothes that you do not mind getting dirty.

Can I bring my cell phone with me?

Phones are permitted, but must remain on silent and put away unless given permission from a staff member to use for an activity.  Behind-the-scene photos are not permitted to be taken or shared as they could interfere with ongoing animal investigations. If at any time the camera or phone becomes a distraction or is not being used appropriately, participants will be asked to put it away for the remainder of the day.  Charleston Animal Society is not responsible for any items that are lost, stolen, or damaged.

What if my child/student needs alternative accommodations?

Charleston Animal Society aims for inclusivity in all programming.  To ensure your child/student has an enjoyable experience, please notify De Daltorio at [email protected] of any considerations such as accessibility, anxiety, sound/smell sensitivities, etc.  This information helps our staff understand the needs of your child and allows them to prepare accordingly.  We try our best to accommodate all considerations, provided that they do not have a negative impact upon our animal residents and fellow program participants.