Berkeley Animal Center Receives $35,000 Grant

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – The Berkeley Animal Center has received a
$35,000 grant from PetSmart Charities Inc. that will primarily be used for spay/neuter surgeries. Berkeley County Council approved the grant during its Dec. 9 meeting, county officials said.

“We are incredibly thankful for this grant and the support to fund the increasing crucial spay/neuter surgeries. This money will help our shelter battle over-population,” Heather McDowell, Berkeley County Community Services Director, said.

The shelter spends about $75,000 annually on spay/neuter surgeries, county officials said. In recent years, there’s been an increase in surgeries because of the rapidly rising intake number.

Since 2017, when the center took in 2,351 animals, county officials said the count has risen by more than 30 percent; and in two years, the count has more than doubled.

So far in 2019, the center has taken in 4,794 animals, with that total set to exceed 5,000 by the end of December. On average, the shelter houses 407 animals per month.

The grant money will also pay for animal vaccinations, equipment and supplies, along with marketing materials and volunteer support for the center.

“Berkeley County continues to seek out efforts to improve the facility and meet the needs of animals in Berkeley County, ” McDowell said. “Contributions like this are helping not only the animal shelter, but the entire County.”