No Kill South Carolina initiative spreads to Dorchester County

Frances R. Willis SPCA and Charleston Animal Society announced a joint effort to launch an aggressive campaign addressing animal overpopulation in Dorchester County as part of Charleston Animal’s Society’s No Kill South CarolinaSM initiative. This statewide initiative of Charleston Animal Society is funded by Petco Foundation and aims to build a network of support, county by county, throughout South Carolina so that communities are better equipped to end unnecessary euthanasia of companion animals.

“We are prepared to begin the groundwork and make the necessary and critical changes to our operations and overall infrastructure to embark on an unprecedented path forward in making Dorchester County more humane for animals,” stated Jennifer Bunch, President of the Frances R. Willis SPCA Board of Directors.

“This path is going to challenge us to do many things differently, but we know we will have the support of our donors, adopters, volunteers and foster families, along with the support of the entire community, in this tremendous undertaking to save more lives than ever.”

Based on Charleston Animal Society’s success in building the first No Kill Community in the Southeast through its No Kill Charleston initiative, the joint effort between these two Lowcountry organizations will focus intense efforts during September on (1) a countywide spay/neuter campaign in Dorchester County and (2) a redesign of shelter operations and practices at Frances R. Willis SPCA.

“Time and again, we see organizations launch lifesaving efforts without the structure and protocols necessary to be successful at attaining and, more importantly, sustaining their goals,” stated Joe Elmore, Chief Executive Officer at Charleston Animal Society. “The most difficult aspect of shoring up the infrastructure will be for everyone involved to embrace research-based best practices and industry guidelines. This is how communities across the nation have substantially decreased unnecessary euthanasia.”

Frances R. Willis SPCA and Charleston Animal Society have a long history of collaboration, mostly focused on spay/neuter efforts. During the September spay/neuter campaign, Dorchester County residents will be able to have their pets, both dogs and cats, spayed or neutered for FREE. To assist pet owners with having their pets spayed or neutered, two transports have been organized to pick-up animals in Summerville and Ridgeville.

Pet owners will be able to drop off and pick-up their animals at designated locations on September 16th and 30th. The spay/neuter is free during this special campaign. Appointments may be made at www.CharlestonAnimalSociety.org/spay-neuter or (843) 329-1562. All surgical procedures are performed at Charleston Animal Society, accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association, representing the highest standards of veterinary excellence.