Moncks Corner, South Carolina. The Berkeley Animal Center is severely overcrowded, and the Charleston Animal Society hopes that a week-long free adoption event would help clear space on both of its campuses in Berkeley and Charleston counties.
According to Charleston Animal Society Chief Operating Officer Aldwin Roman, the shelters are still at or near capacity, despite the strong community reaction since the event began. Almost 50 dogs were adopted over the weekend on both campuses.
“We’re still critically overcrowded,” Roman explained. “We had a great number of adoptions last week, but unfortunately, the animals are still coming in.”
One viewer informed News 2 that they waited nearly two hours to adopt at the Berkeley Animal Center on Monday before departing without a pet. Roman stated that no one had waited that long, and that personnel had reviewed the matter. He stated that Monday was extremely busy for a day that is ordinarily calm, with less personnel scheduled.
“Monday’s usually one of our quietest days, so we don’t have as many people scheduled,” Roman told me. “We had a bigger turnout than expected, and a few people did have to wait a bit, but no one’s waited two hours.”
Roman explained that the building’s layout, which allows adopters, errant drop-offs, and lost-pet reports to all enter through the same door, contributed to the lobby’s congested conditions. He explained that when numerous groups come at the same time, it can cause small delays.
The Charleston Animal Society took over operations of the Berkeley Animal Center in July, and since then, it has increased staffing and volunteer assistance. Roman said that the shelter currently has contract veterinarians on site several days a week, with plans to launch a full-time spay and neuter facility once the on-campus veterinary suite is completed.
Construction is also beginning on a new adoption facility next door, which Roman says will have a separate entrance for adoptions to make the process easier for visitors and staff.
“We’re doing the best we can with what we have,” Roman told us. “It’ll dramatically make a difference when we have that new adoption center.”
Free adoptions continue till Sunday. Staff say more staff are being scheduled for the remainder of the week to guarantee that every animal has an opportunity to find a home.
