James Island, SC – Pet Helpers is partnering with News 2 and other Lowcountry shelters as part of the annual Clear the Shelters campaign to help animals find their forever homes. This month-long initiative encourages adoptions and aims to reduce shelter overcrowding, especially as Lowcountry shelters near capacity.
Making a Difference in the Community
“Every little bit helps. It takes the community, it takes a village, as they say,” said Craig Crompton, CEO of Crompton Fence and sponsor of Pet Helpers and Clear the Shelters. Crompton emphasized that the event is an opportunity to bring home a new family member while possibly saving an animal’s life.
Each August, NBC stations, including News 2, team up with animal shelters across the country to find homes for animals in need. JJ Steele, Pet Helpers’ Marketing Coordinator, explained the urgency, noting, “Unfortunately, we have animals coming in every single day as a stray.”
Goal for 2025: More Adoptions
Last year, the initiative helped over 1,200 shelter animals find new homes, and this year, Pet Helpers hopes to help even more. Steele highlighted that this is one of their most important events, with a month-long focus on adoption being their main goal — finding forever homes for animals.
Thanks to the publicity generated by Clear the Shelters, Pet Helpers can shine a spotlight on animals available for adoption, which allows them to reduce adoption fees. “Thanks to being able to shine that spotlight on them, we’re able to get more animals in homes, and it allows us to be able to reduce our adoption fees,” Steele said.
Reduced Adoption Fees for Pets
Each animal up for adoption is spayed or neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on all vaccinations. To further encourage adoption, Pet Helpers has reduced its adoption fees:
Dogs, cats, and kittens are now available for $50.
Puppies are available for $200, which is more than 50% off the standard fee.
Donating to Support Pet Helpers
Nearly 120 animals are currently awaiting forever homes at Pet Helpers, including Lynn, a dog who has been at the shelter for almost six months. Crompton Fence recently donated bottom rail fences to improve the shelter environment, allowing dogs to safely enjoy outdoor time.
Crompton explained, “Every home we’ve had in Charleston has always had a fence, and I built them. Now, I’m trying to extend that to the Charleston community.”
If you can’t adopt, you can still help by donating food or your time at Pet Helpers.
How You Can Help
Visit Pet Helpers to adopt an animal or donate food, supplies, or your time. Your contributions, big or small, can make a significant difference in improving the lives of shelter animals in the Lowcountry.
