Pet Helpers assists Charleston Co. with animal intakes

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) – Pet Helpers is assisting Charleston County with animal intakes temporarily. However, a meeting scheduled for next week could change that.

The contract between Charleston County and Charleston Animal Society expired as of last month. In the mean time, as the two groups work out a new agreement, the county has been working with Pet Helpers. This includes animals that are found by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office.

Carol Linville, president and founder of Pet Helpers, continues to intake any animals that are also found by residents as the organization stays true to its mission.

“We’re here for the animals; we’re here for anyone that comes to our door. I don’t care what or who, we’re going to intake that animal,” said Linville.

However, combined with the regular intake and now the county’s, the local non-profit’s resources and space availability is stretched thin.

“We’ve taken over 700 animals in from the community, animal control and the community,” Linville said. “Melissa just shared 1500 over the past two years, county strays that covers all municipal areas including animal control intakes, but the bottom line is we have to have a better program in place, so we’re available to people who find animals.”

This is why Pet Helpers and Charleston County are exploring a permanent deal that would give the organization financial support, including basic intake for the animals. Linville noted the shelter cannot take care of all these animals alone.

“We want to share what we can do, we cannot be the entire intake facility, we are not nearly big enough here,” Linville said. “We’re hoping to work with the animal society – both of us are needed in the community. Charleston has doubled in population, people coming in with animals – we’re seeing far more animals than in the past years which should be less not more.” 

The president and founder said she hopes the meeting next week will result in a positive outcome between the county, themselves, and Charleston Animal Society.

“It’s important because they need help. We’re just seeing more abandoned and neglected being left behind, and that’s incredibly upsetting because it doesn’t have to happen,” Linville said. “We have help here.”