FOCUS: State animal shelters declare state of emergency

Staff reports  |  Pet shelters across the state are swamped with thousands of homeless animals leading them to declare a state of emergency and a rescue program that will run through August 22.

“Nearly every shelter in the state, including the largest shelters [Greenville County Animal Care, Charleston Animal Society, Horry County Animal Care Center and Columbia Animal Services] are at the breaking point and need help now,” said No Kill South Carolina 2024 Chief Project Officer Abigail Appleton in a statement. “These lifesaving organizations are critically overcapacity and there’s no sign of it letting up, especially as the pandemic is surging again and folks are not getting out as much as they did earlier this summer.”

Locally, the Charleston Animal Society said it had more than triple the number of animals it has the room to house at its shelter in North Charleston, caring for over 700 animals despite only having the space for about 230. While summer months are typically crowded for the shelter, this year has been particularly harsh. Hundreds of dogs, cats and exotic pets are waiting for their “forever homes,” officials said. 

To solve the crisis, shelters across the state have joined together to launch “Summer Slam Emergency Rescue Operation.” This emergency event is being led by No Kill South Carolina 2024 and the South Carolina Animal Care and Control Association (SCACCA). 

“We are in uncharted waters, in a perfect storm. We have the end of summer slowdown in adoptions, the peak of hurricane season and the pandemic resurgence,” said SCACCA President Shelly Simmons. 

To help with the emergency, you are encouraged to visit a local shelter to adopt or foster animals at-risk. 

“We don’t declare a ‘state of emergency’ unless the situation is dire and we know that if we work together, thousands of lives can be saved,” Simmons said.

Adding to the emergency is the veterinarian shortage and reduced staff due to COVID.  

“Many shelters are waiving their adoption fees or significantly reducing them in an effort to get more people to take home a shelter pet. We’re asking all shelters to implement managed moratoriums and accept only animals in danger or who present a danger to others, until we get out of this state of emergency,” Appleton added.

HOW TO HELP

• Citizens can adopt or foster animals or sponsor adoption fees
• Businesses can become adoption ambassadors for animals
• Veterinarians can help shelters through the backlog of animals with spay/neuter
• Rescue groups can take in additional at-risk animals
• Government shelters and animal control agencies can implement managed moratoriums
• Learn other ways to help at NoKillSouthCarolina.org
• Have a comment? Send to: editor@charlestoncurrents.com.