Adoptions Will Increase by 288%

Our new, easily accessible location and larger building will give us the visibility to attract more visitors wanting to adopt. A cheerful environment will greet them and showcase pets ready to meet their new owners. The anxiety usually associated with a traditional shelter the warm, inviting atmosphere of the new Pet Helpers. We expect 1,800 adoptions a year, an increase of over 288% over our current level.

A first impression is always important! Our pets will be immediately visible through glass panels that will front the dog and cat adoption rooms. Love at first glance? It’s very possible for those that come into the shelter wanting to adopt a new family member.

New shelter features will include:

• Expanded animal living space
• Additional open play areas
• Expanded medical treatment and counseling rooms
• Separate dog and cat adoption areas including “get acquainted rooms”
• A retail pet supplies/gift shop providing essentials for new owners
• A Small Animal Room where rabbits and other small creatures can find safe haven and be adopted

Spay and Neuter Procedures Will Increase by 2000%

Our new high volume, high quality, low cost Spay/Neuter Clinic will be the key preventative component of our approach to controlling overpopulation. Like all other successful communities, our clinic will target low income areas in the Lowcountry.

Studies show that the primary reasons people fail to alter their pets are (1) cost and (2) lack of access to veterinarian services within the pet owner’s neighborhood. We won’t wait for the problem to come to us. Our facility will be supported by a transport van that will pick up and return animals from these lowincome areas.

We expect to sterilize up to 10,000 animals a year. Our clinic will accommodate feral cat caregivers with special reduced rates and flexible scheduling. We will also extend reduced rates for other animal welfare and rescue groups or other shelters.

Our clinic will work hand-in-hand with our local veterinarians. A free post-operative exam by a participating veternarian will accompany every procedure to encourage our clients to care for their animals. In addition, our existing spay/neuter voucher program with other shelters’ clinics and vets will continue.

Pioneering Programs Will be Expanded and Improved

Our programs are where our words become the actions that save lives. A spacious facility with an Education Room will allow us to expand and improve all of our community outreach and humane education programs. Some of these pioneering programs include:

Dixie Dogs on the Humane Train – This ultimate intervention program relocates dogs from our area of high pet overpopulation to shelters in areas where adoptable dogs are in demand.

Feline Fix – There is a better way than killing to control free roaming feral cats. Pet Helpers advocates the use of non-lethal feline population control including Trap, Neuter, Return. This is the humane and ethical method to reduce feral cat populations.

Project Respect – This project is a joint initiative with the Charleston County School district to introduce humane education for the first time into the curriculum of Charleston county schools. New science lessons that incorporate concepts of humane education will be developed for k–grade five.

Pet Helpers Humane Lecture Series - We are planning to bring the country’s foremost experts in humane leadership to Charleston. They will present lectures and workshops on current, companion animal welfare topics. These lectures will be open to anyone interested in benefiting from the experience of other organizations.

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