MORE THAN 1,300 ANIMALS OVERWHELM BERKELEY AND CHARLESTON SHELTERING SYSTEM
Please help us find homes for these animals through adoption or foster!
Charleston Animal Society is sounding the alarm: both its Main Campus in North Charleston and its Berkeley Campus in Moncks Corner are beyond capacity, with more than 1,300 animals currently in the Animal Society’s care. The organization, which takes in over 90% of all stray animals from both Charleston and Berkeley Counties, is urgently asking the public to step forward to adopt or foster to help save lives.
“This is one of the most critical moments we’ve faced in quite a while, particularly with dogs” said Charleston Animal Society President and CEO Joe Elmore, CAWA, CFRE. “Every kennel is full. In Berkeley, we have had to ‘double up’ which is not good for the animals. We simply can’t keep up without the community’s help.”
OVERCAPACITY AT BOTH CAMPUSES
The overcrowding crisis is being felt at every level. The Main Campus on Remount Road is overrun with dogs and cats, while the Berkeley Campus in Moncks Corner continues to see a flood of stray and surrendered animals arriving daily.
“It feels like a revolving door,” said Kay Hyman, Senior Director of Community Engagement. “We’re taking in dozens of animals every single day, but adoptions just aren’t keeping pace. For every pet that finds a home, three more are waiting in line for a kennel.”
Shelter staff describe the situation as heartbreaking: loving animals who deserve homes are now in limbo — some waiting for weeks or even months.
COMMUNITY HELP IS DESPERATELY NEEDED
Jeff Cook Real Estate is sponsoring all adoptions! Thankfully, other area businesses have stepped up to assist by offering to foster animals to help with the crisis. They include the Pet Mahal, Johnsons Kennels, Dogtopia, and the Animal Medical Center of Mount Pleasant. Even with this assistance, the overcapacity remains at a crisis level for both campuses.
Charleston Animal Society is urging the Lowcountry to step up in two key ways:
- Adopt: Adoption fees on all animals are are being sponsored for all animals at both campuses by Jeff Cook Real Estate. Every adoption not only saves one life but opens space for another animal in need.
- Foster: Even temporary fostering for a few days or weeks can provide critical relief for the shelter’s capacity. The Animal Society will provide everything you need to foster, you just supply the love.
“Every single person can make a difference right now,” said Elmore. “If you can’t adopt, consider fostering. If you can’t foster, please donate. This is truly a community crisis — and it will take a community response.”
TAKING IN 90% OF THE COMMUNITY STRAYS
Charleston Animal Society continues to shoulder the vast majority of animal welfare responsibilities in the region — taking in over 90% of all stray animals from Berkeley and Charleston Counties, upwards of 15,000 annually.
“Our mission is to protect the helpless, but we can’t do it alone,” said Hyman. “The people of the Lowcountry have always been generous and compassionate — now, more than ever, we need that spirit again.”
PLEASE VISIT TODAY
Both campuses are open seven days a week for adoptions and fostering:
- Charleston Animal Society Main Campus: 2455 Remount Road, North Charleston
- Charleston Animal Society Berkeley Campus: 131 Central Berkeley Drive, Moncks Corner
View adoptable animals online anytime at CharlestonAnimalSociety.org.
Walk-ins are welcome, and same-day adoptions are encouraged.
“Behind every kennel door is a face full of hope,” said Elmore. “Pleaee make room for one more, in your hearts and in your homes.”
