Causes: Animal Protection & Welfare, Animal Training, Animals, Veterinary Services

Mission: For nearly 150 years, Charleston Animal Society has worked to prevent cruelty to animals. We will not rest until every animal in need of a home finds one and both humans and animals are treated with compassion. Our Vision is one where all healthy and treatable animals are saved. It is a vision where all people and animals are treated with respect and kindness. And it envisions a world where cruelty is not tolerated.

Results: Charleston Animal Society, founded in 1874, is the first animal protection organization in South Carolina and one of the oldest in the nation. In 2020, the Animal Society treated or cared for approximately 18,000 animals representing over 30 species. In addition, the Animal Society fought for justice for over 100 victims of animal cruelty and delivered compassionate humane education lessons to over 20,000 schoolchildren. Recognized nationwide and internationally as a model of lifesaving success, Charleston Animal Society realized the following key achievements in 2021:
•Sustained No Kill Charleston for the 9th Year!!!
•Earned Most Honored Charity in SC 8 years in a row!
•Pets for Life Program Named Best in USA!
•Achieved 9th year of exemplary audits!
•Adopted over 5,000 animals into new homes!
•Spayed or neutered over 11,000 animals!
•Delivered over 20,000 lessons in compassion to children!
•Reunited over 1,000 loved ones with their families!
•Provided medical treatment to over 15,000 animals!
•Administered nearly 30,000 vaccines!
•Reaccredited as a combined shelter/clinic by the American Animal Hospital Association!
•Rolled out the Simon Greer Mobile Spay-Neuter Vehicle – only unit of its kind in Lowcountry!
•Staff now number 5 credentialed as Certified Animal Welfare Administrators – Most in Nation!
•Grew social media presence on Facebook to over 250,000!
•Expanded Pets for Life to Hollywood/Ravenel!
•Completed critical renovations at the Bear Greer Memorial Cat Sanctuary and enclosed 5-acres with protective fencing!
•Presented at conferences, hosted webinars, and provided apprenticeships for animal welfare staff around the world in conjunction with ASPCA, HSUS, Maddie’s Fund, Best Friends, and the University of Pacific focusing on Charleston Animal Society’s strategies and tactics that lead the Southeast in lifesaving!
•Contributed to statewide legislation to move animal sheltering standards forward.
•Topped 1 million page views on CAS website for the first time ever!

Target demographics: prevent cruelty to animals and build humane communities

Direct beneficiaries per year: 9,000 sheltered animals while also providing care to an additional 9,000 community animals. 12,000 spay/neuter surgeries were performed. Humane and compassion education efforts served 450 local classrooms and over 1,000 children onsite at the shelter.

Geographic areas served: Primarily Charleston County, the State of South Carolina and nation/international (education recipients)

Programs: NO KILL CHARLESTON1.Finding Homes for Homeless Animals through innovative adoption campaigns2.Preventing Births of Unwanted Animals through high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter procedures3.Reducing the Number of Free Roaming Cats through a trap-vaccinate-alter and return-to-habitat plan4.Fostering the Most At-Risk Animals through a communitywide network of volunteer families5.Reuniting Loved Ones with Their Families through in-depth lost and found identification activities6.Containing Outbreaks of Deadly Diseases through rabies and infectious disease vaccinations7.Saving the Lives of Injured and Ill Animals through individually customized treatment regimens8.Fighting Cruelty Wherever It Exists through assisting law enforcement and advocating for stronger laws9.Helping Families Keep Their Pets for Life through a nonjudgmental food bank and a network of support for fragile communities10.Guiding Children to Grow Into Humanitarians through comprehensive humane education lessonsNO KILL SOUTH CAROLINA (Phase Two)Humane Shelter Care
•All animals residing in SC open-admission shelters (#45) and NKSC Partner organizations were offered the “Five Freedoms. ”Euthanasia
•2.All healthy canines in SC were saved. Overpopulation
•3.Overpopulation was effectively addressed in each region of SC. Infrastructure
•4.An administrative structure was created to track progress toward NKSC. Resources
•5.Capacity to generate lifesaving grant investments in local communities was created. Other programs include: DISASTER RELIEF AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION