Carolina Tails Magazine

2023: Record-Setting Year

Dan Krosse

Despite overwhelming odds that animal shelters faced throughout the country and in our state during 2023, Charleston Animal Society continued its record-breaking trek toward building the first No Kill State in the southern United States, from Atlantic to Pacific Oceans, and America’s Heartland. Considered internationally as a model of lifesaving success through animal sheltering and prevention strategies, Charleston Animal Society operates 24/7 to save lives and provide care to nearly 20,000 animals in need yearly.

Beginning early in 2023 and continuing throughout the year, Charleston Animal Society set multiple records, including:

  • A GUINNESS WORLD RECORDSTM for pet vaccines with the support of over 30 veterinarians

  • A sixth-year-in-a-row national record for organizing the largest annual statewide adoption event for dogs and cats (Pick Me! SC)

  • 12 years as the top-rated nonprofit in the state

    The Animal Society is focused on community impact by ending unnecessary euthanasia of dogs and cats, overpopulation of dogs and cats, and animal cruelty.

    The Animal Society topped the year off by winning a competition against 19 other nonprofits across North America, representing various causes, ultimately winning a Land Rover Defender to help with the Animal Society’s emergency rescue efforts,

It was an outstanding year for Charleston Animal Society, but only made possible by its 20,000+ members, mostly from the Greater Charleston area and Lowcountry, in addition to supporters from across the globe.

Animal sheltering involves a comprehensive or holistic approach to effectively enhance public health and safety and is so much more than a destination for unwanted animals. Thank you for your continued support as we move forward into 2024.

CHALLENGES AHEAD

As we enter the Animal Society’s 150th Anniversary year, the challenges of inadequate government funding and the nationwide veterinary shortage are just two of the main challenges the Animal Society is facing. Other challenges include the accelerated increase in unwanted large dogs (mostly pit bull-type dogs) entering shelters, weak public policy to reduce the overpopulation of animals, and unorganized animal control agencies. These agencies too often lack leading practices and data- driven public health and safety strategies and tactics.

As 2024 continues, Charleston Animal Society will call on your support to continue moving our community in a humane direction. Remember, YOU are Charleston Animal Society.

2023 Charleston Animal Society

Key Accomplishments

  1. Rescued 437 animals from harm’s way through 18 emergency rescue operations.

  2. Prevented the births of unwanted litters by spaying or neutering 11, 673 animals.

  3. Alleviated suffering of 9,488 sheltered animals through needed veterinary care.

  4. Prevented the outbreak of deadly diseases by administering 28,726 lifesaving vaccines, such as rabies, to animals.

  5. Prevented thousands of homeless kittens and free roaming cats, along with the deaths of countless birds, by sterilizing and vaccinating 2,518 community cats, followed by the return to their natural habitat, significantly reducing their population.

  6. Fought animal cruelty by providing forensics investigation support to law enforcement agencies in 72 cruelty cases.

  7. Helped families keep and care for their pets by providing 3,914 dogs and cats with veterinary care, pet food, and emergency veterinary financial assistance.

  8. Prevented suffering and cruelty for 163 displaced or threatened outdoor cats through permanent sanctuary.

  9. Continued to reduce violence to people and animals by teaching 7,667 school-age children compassion education, reinforcing the 23,318 lessons into humanitarian values.

  10. Exemplary audits twelve years in a row.

Charleston Animal Society follows research-based, data-driven strategies in its day-to-day operations.