Charleston Animal Society recognized as flagship rescue organization in the United States

Maddie’s Fund^®, a national family foundation, is awarding $360,000 in grants to Charleston Animal Society to share the charity’s leadership and programming that inspired No Kill Charleston and No Kill South Carolina with communities around the United States through on-site fellowships and apprenticeships.

“To be recognized as a flagship lifesaving organization in the United States is an honor. We are excited to share our rescue game plan with other organizations, all thanks to Maddie,” said Charleston Animal Society CEO Joe Elmore. “These grants shine a very positive light on the Charleston community and show how much people here love their animals.”

Each of the grants involves employees from rescues around the U.S. coming to Charleston Animal Society for educational purposes:

• Two $100,000 Executive Leadership Fellowships will offer intensive training to two individuals specializing in shelter management. The goal is to develop future CEO’s and Executive Directors who can lead their communities to become no-kill.
• A $100,000 Foster Apprenticeship will allow the Charleston Animal Society to expand and share its highly acclaimed fostering system model with 40 apprentices from different agencies around the country. Charleston Animal Society’s foster family network includes over 300 families across the Lowcountry.
• A $60,000 Shelter Medicine Apprenticeship will fund 24 students to come spend time at Charleston Animal Society to learn best practices in shelter medicine. Charleston Animal Society’s Sam Greer Spay-Neuter Clinic is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), representing the highest standards of veterinary care. Charleston Animal Society is the only combined animal shelter and veterinary clinic in the Southeast to achieve this recognition.

“Charleston Animal Society has re-imagined what animal rescue can be,” said Dr. Laurie Peek of the Maddie’s Fund Executlve Leadership Team. “We are fortunate to have found such an impactful way to share their techniques with animal organizations everywhere.”