Life-Saving Strategies
Our 10-Point Strategic Framework consists of the following programs and services:
1. FINDING HOMES FOR HOMELESS ANIMALS-ADOPTIONS
Finding homes for homeless animals through adoptions is a key plank of our no kill strategy. In 2019, Charleston Animal Society found homes for 5,266 homeless animals through aggressive adoption programs.
2. SAVING LIVES THROUGH A COMMUNITY-WIDE FOSTER FAMILY NETWORK
Foster families open their homes to animals in need until they are old enough and/or healthy enough to be adopted. Charleston Animal Society has over 350 foster families that actively participate in fostering each year and in 2019, fostered 2,495 of the most at -risk animals.
3. PREVENTING UNWANTED BIRTHS- SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM
In 2019, our veterinarians and American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited clinic prevented 9,682 animals from giving birth to unwanted litters through high volume, high quality spay and neuter procedures.
4. SAVING LIVES OF ABUSED AND NEGLECTED ANIMALS
Our on-site veterinarians are able to treat animals that most animal shelters wouldn’t event accept. We treat heartworm disease, broken bones, and horrible cases of abuse. Donated funds allow us to obtain equipment and provide treatment to animals that traditional shelters would euthanize due to the severity of the case.
5. FIGHTING ANIMAL CRUELTY
Fighting animal cruelty has been our mission since Charleston Animal Society was founded in 1874. We work closely with law enforcement and lawmakers to make sure animal cruelty laws are enforced and strengthened. In 2019, Charleston Animal Society aided in the investigations of 84 cruelty cases in Charleston County.
6. CONTAINING OUTBREAKS OF DEADLY DISEASE- VACCINATIONS
In 2018, Charleston Animal Society administered 66,407 vaccinations to the community’s animals to contain the outbreak of deadly diseases harmful to both animals and humans.
7. REUNITING LOVED ONES WITH THEIR FAM ILIES- LOST & FOUND
Charleston Animal Society’s Lost & Found program uses every means possible, including social media to get lost animals back home. In 2018, Charleston Animal Society reunited 1,176 animals with their families.
8. REDUCING THE NUMBER OF FREE ROAMING CATS-TVAR INITIATIVE
Our trap-vaccinate-alter & return to habitat initiative is a model program for the rest of the nation. We reach out into the community and manage cat colonies in a positive way, so they won’t reproduce. In addition to being spayed/ neutered, vaccinated and ear -tipped, Charleston Animal Society returned 1,566 free roaming cats to the field in 2018 to continue living out their lives (whereas many shelters across the United States still euthanize these cats).
9. HELPING FAMILIES KEEP THEIR PETS FOR LIFE
Every year we help hundreds of families keep their pets healthy, when they run into difficulty affording the food or care t heir animals need. We host a food bank, assist with medical care, and perform much needed outreach in the community to ensure that we are spreading awareness through education and relationships and getting animals the care they need. In 2019, Charleston Animal Society distributed 55,000 pounds of pet food to families in need, and helped 2,412 families keep their pets in their homes (and out of shelters).
10. GUIDING CHILDREN TO GROW INTO HUMANITARIANS – HUMANE EDUCATION
Charleston Animal Society offers a comprehensive humane education initiative that we take into Charleston area classrooms at teacher request every year. We are uniquely positioned to teach kindness and thus preventing cruelty in creative ways. Teaching children to be compassionate to animals and in turn, others pays huge dividends. Programs include summer BARK camps, high school leadership volunteers, Pet Buddies Club, the Veterinary Science Initiative, Scout Programs, and even Birthday Parties with Purpose at the Shelter. In 2019 alone, humane educators taught over 22,000 lessons in compassion.
