The annual Clear the Shelters event is underway this month, with NBC stations across the country, including WCBD, teaming up with local animal shelters to help furry friends find their forever homes. Charleston Animal Society’s Community Engagement Director, Kay Hyman, shared that the initiative spans the entire month of August and serves as a nationwide effort to save lives by encouraging pet adoptions.
“Clear the Shelters is the entire month of saving lives throughout the country,” Hyman said, emphasizing the critical role the event plays in raising awareness about animal adoption.
High Animal Intake During Summer Months
The Charleston Animal Society has seen an increase in shelter animals during the summer, with more animals being born in the spring and summer months. Hyman explained that the recent rains have also displaced many kittens, contributing to the surge in shelter intakes. The Charleston Animal Society, along with other local shelters, is aiming to clear its kennels and find homes for as many animals as possible.
Participating Shelters and Adoption Push
Each year, NBC stations, including WCBD, partner with shelters to host adoption events and special campaigns. This year, five local shelters are participating:
Charleston Animal Society
Berkeley Campus
Dorchester Paws
Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary
Pet Helpers
These shelters are working together to find homes for nearly 1,300 animals, including adult dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even a bird. The Charleston Animal Society has also recently taken over operations at the Berkeley Animal Shelter, increasing the number of animals in need of adoption.
Big Push During the Final Week
The final week of the event is the “crescendo,” where shelters make a concerted effort to move as many animals out the door as possible. Hyman explained, “The crescendo of the week, the last week, we really are pushing the animals to get them out the door. It’s our end of summer, big bang.”
Adoption efforts will be made more efficient with all animals vaccinated, spayed, and neutered to ensure they’re ready for their new homes.
Goals for This Year’s Campaign
With nearly 1,300 animals up for adoption, the goal is to surpass last year’s success of helping 1,206 local shelter animals find new homes. “We want to make sure we have all our ducks in a row. All the animals are vaccinated, spayed and neutered,” Hyman added, outlining the critical steps taken to get the animals ready for adoption.
Courtney Gumienny, Senior Director of Adoptions at the Charleston Animal Society, encouraged people to visit their shelter and others nearby to adopt a pet. “We have plenty of adult dogs, kittens, puppies, cats, everything, you name it,” she said, highlighting the diverse range of animals available for adoption.
How to Help
Hyman urged the community to support the campaign and visit local shelters to meet the adoptable pets. “Please, go to the Berkeley campus, go to a shelter near you, go to Charleston Animal Society. We always want to increase our numbers,” she said. “So our goal is to save even more lives this year with Clear the Shelters.”
Get Involved
To adopt an animal or learn more about the Clear the Shelters initiative, visit any of the participating shelters, including Charleston Animal Society, and help make a difference in an animal’s life this August!
