Shelters Across Tri-County Make Strides Towards Becoming No Kill, But Advocates Press For Improvement

Animal shelters across the Tri-County region have made significant strides in reducing euthanasia rates, but animal advocates continue to push for improvement, aiming for the coveted “no kill” status. To achieve this status, shelters must save at least 90% of the dogs and cats that come into their care annually. While the current rates are impressive, with all three shelters saving more than 80% of dogs and cats, some advocates argue that more needs to be done.

The Current State of Euthanasia Rates

According to the euthanasia data provided by each shelter through Freedom of Information Act requests, the Charleston Animal Society had a higher save rate for both dogs and cats in 2024 compared to 2023. The Berkeley Animal Center’s save rates declined for both species, while Dorchester Paws’ save rates went down for dogs but stayed the same for cats. Here is a breakdown of the euthanasia rates for each shelter in 2023 and 2024:

The Role of Community Involvement

Community involvement and education are crucial in helping shelters reduce euthanasia rates. As Cara Lanphere, a volunteer at the Berkeley Animal Center, notes, “If you really have a strong feeling about not having your pet or any pet euthanized, the biggest thing you can do is volunteer, foster, donate or at least raise awareness.”
Berkeley County government oversees the Berkeley Animal Center, and they emphasize the importance of treating all animals with compassion and providing the best care possible. However, they also acknowledge that in certain cases, euthanasia may be necessary due to medical or behavioral issues.

Shelters’ Perspectives on Euthanasia

The Charleston Animal Society, Berkeley Animal Center, and Dorchester Paws have different approaches to euthanasia. The Charleston Animal Society, for example, only euthanizes animals that are severely ill, injured, or aggressive, and prioritizes providing a safe and adequate environment for the animals in their care. The Berkeley Animal Center, on the other hand, has a more nuanced approach, stating that they only euthanize animals that are deemed “dangerous” by SC law or are “untreatable” due to medical or behavioral issues. Dorchester Paws only euthanizes animals in cases of medical emergencies or when they exhibit aggressive behavior towards humans or other animals.

A Path Towards No Kill Status

All three shelters agree that the community can play a significant role in helping them achieve no kill status. The Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization, notes that the Charleston Animal Society and Dorchester Paws are considered “no kill” shelters, but the Berkeley Animal Center is not. However, the society’s legislative attorney, Kelsey Gilmore-Futeral, emphasizes that the Berkeley Animal Center is working with a network partner to help alter their programming and become no kill.

A Community-Centric Approach

The concept of “no kill” is not just about individual shelters but about creating a community-centric approach to addressing overpopulation and euthanasia. As No Kill South Carolina notes, “A No Kill community means that as a community, we are all striving to become no kill by being responsible pet owners and championing responsible pet ownership through different programs.”
Advocates emphasize the importance of promoting responsible pet ownership, providing resources for pet owners, and working together to combat overpopulation and euthanasia.

Conclusion

While shelters across the Tri-County region have made significant strides in reducing euthanasia rates, animal advocates continue to push for improvement, aiming for the coveted “no kill” status. By working together and promoting community involvement, education, and responsible pet ownership, we can create a more compassionate and effective approach to addressing animal welfare issues.