CAROLINA TAILS WINTER 2019

CAROLINA

TAILS

FOSTERING PETS A Good Fit for Your Family?

WINTER 2019

A Charleston Animal Society Publication

A BLIND DOG FINDS LOVE A True Valentine’s Day Story

NCPD’S NEWEST MEMBER Meet One Amazing K9

CAROLINA

TAILS

Publisher: Keith Simmons Editor-in-Chief: Dan Krosse Managing Editor: Joe Elmore Graphic Design: Heineman Design Copy Editor: Eve Baker Writers: Dan Krosse, Ellie Whitcomb Payne, Claire Grimes, Kathleen Millat Johnson, Helen Ravenel Hammond, Tamara Hart, Irene Holland, Cathy Kangas Photographers: Marie Rodriguez, Jeanne Taylor, Tamara Hart, Tony Tassarotti, Eddie Fava, Dan Krosse, Aldwin Roman, Kay Hyman, Ron Davis Advertising Sales: Ted DeLoach For inquiries regarding advertising, distribution or suggestions in Carolina Tails call (843) 410-2577 or ksimmons@charlestonanimalsociety.org.

2455 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC 29406 (843) 747-4849 www.CarolinaTails.org

President: Hank Greer Vice President: Helen Pratt-Thomas Secretary: Aussie Geer Treasurer: Laurel Greer Members of the Board Kiara Barnett Mary Black Hal Creel, Esq. Henry Darby Martin Deputy Andrea Ferguson Gerri Greenwood Sarah Hamlin Hastings Ellen Harley Patricia Henley

David Maybank, Jr. Robert Nigro Louise Palmer Dillard Salmons Stevens Diane Straney Joe Waring, Esq. George “Pat” Waters Peter Waters Nancy Worsham Tami Zerbst

Contents WINTER 2019

5

Welcome

6

Pet Pointers

8

NCPD’S Newest Officer

10

Fostering Animals: A Family Affair

12

Love is Blind: Two Seniors Fall in Love

14

The Secret to Rehoming Pets

15

PRAI Beauty Gives Back

17

Cat Videos are GOOD for You

18

Amazing Armadillos

22

Three Cold Weather Tips for Pets

23

Take Me Home: Adoptions

24

Vet Directory

28

2018 Chili Cook-off

30

Why America Loves Labs

31

Around Town: People and their Pets

32

Summer Camp Memories

33

Kids Corner: Time to Play!

8 10

12

17

Chief Executive Officer: Joe Elmore Media & Marketing Consultant: dpk media solutions

30 Please contact regarding Carolina Tails distribution, advertising or suggestions. For all other inquiries, please contact Charleston Animal Society. (843) 410-2577 ksimmons@charlestonanimalsociety.org Carolina Tails is published quarterly by Traveler Communications Group, an independent publishing company. PO Box 22677, Charleston, SC 29413 (843 352-9048). Carolina Tails is a registered trademark of Traveler Communications Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

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COVER PHOTO: Owen (12) and Ava (9) are amazing members of the Charleston Animal Society foster team. Their mother Tamara shares how great fostering has been for the entire family on pg.10.

Photo: Tamara Hart / bumpmeetsbaby.com

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Welcome DEAR FRIENDS, As we embark on a brand new year, I want to thank all of you for your commitment to animals. But, the one thing that keeps me awake at night is the challenge of finding more people like you!

All animals want to do is give us unconditional love. We, in turn, must recognize that humans are the only advocates animals have.

We are the first, last and only line of defense for these beautiful souls and it is incumbent on us to give them the opportunity of having a healthy and happy life.

They deserve nothing less.

In this issue of Carolina Tails, I hope you enjoy meeting Vik, North Charleston’s newest four-legged police officer.

Laurel and I were so torn up after learning that Mojo the K9 had died last year, that we decided to donate funds to purchase the police force a brand new K9 officer. We couldn’t be more proud (pg 8).

I was blown away by the story written and photographed by one of our very own foster families! We hope this family’s experience will actually convince you to try fostering in your own home (pg 10).

What happens when a blind, senior dog meets a beautiful and loving 83-year-old woman? Just in time for Valentine’s Day comes the amazing story of “The Donald” and Irene. Get out the tissues (pg 12).

Who knew that those crazy cat videos all over the Internet could actually be good for you? That’s right, researchers in Indiana actually studied the impact these videos had on viewers, and we’re sharing the surprising results on page 17.

Finally, please come to our 145th Annual Meeting on February 10th at Blackbaud International Headquarters on Daniel Island.

It is always an hour or so of pure inspiration for animal lovers like you. We will share a bit about our history and look back at all of the ways we helped our local animals in 2018. PetSmart President David Haworth, DVM, PhD will be our terrific keynote speaker. Tell us you’re coming at RSVP@CharlestonAnimalSociety.org.

Sincerely, Hank Greer with Louise Palmer and her Golden Retriever Oliver at the 2018 Chili Cook-off & Oyster Roast. Louise raised the most donations for the cook-off and received the Toby's Hero Award. (See more chili photos on pg 28).

Hank Greer, President

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WINT

NEWS:: You Can Use

New ER Tidb s its

PET POINTERS NKSC SHELTER OF THE YEAR!

Colleton County Animal & Environmental Control (CCAEC) was named the 2018 No Kill South Carolina Organization of the Year. CCAEC best embodies the lifesaving and collaborative, positive values of No Kill South Carolina (NKSC), a program of Charleston Animal Society.

Petco Foundation funds No Kill South Carolina, a groundbreaking initiative to save all healthy and treatable dogs and cats in shelters across South Carolina. The initiative was inspired by the success of Charleston Animal Society’s No Kill Charleston initiative, which built the first No Kill Community in the Southeast.

2018 has been a banner year in Colleton County - they made great strides in lifesaving, humane care, care of community cats, bringing in new funders, trying new adoption and foster strategies, and working with other agencies. According to Laura Clark, CCAEC Shelter Manager, “We have increased our live release rate from 11% to 80% over the past few years with the support of Friends of Colleton County Animal Shelter (FoCCAS), administration and our community.”

(L-R): Elena Strauman, FoCCAS VP of Shelter Affairs; Reginald McNeil, CCAEC Director; Abigail Kamleiter, NKSC Director; Laura Clark, CCAEC Shelter Manager; Pearl Sutton, Barbara Bryant, Charleston Animal Society; Becca Boronat, NKSC Project Manager

GOOD GOLLY, MISS MOLLY! Where in the world did Molly go? That’s the question that still baffles the Cullison family after a tearful reunion with their cat Molly just before Christmas.

“I just couldn’t believe it, I was crying,” said Molly’s owner Lorie Cullison.

Six years ago Molly went outside the Cullison home in the River Chase area of North Charleston – and never came home.

“My daughter was in the 5th grade when we got Molly,” Cullison said. “She was a junior in high school when Molly disappeared, and now my daughter is 23!”

It’s pretty amazing to think an animal can still be found after six years, but it happens more often than you think. “This is the perfect example of why we always encourage people to have your pets microchipped,” said Charleston Animal Society Lost & Found Coordinator Ashley Greaves.

“Microchips can make miracle reunions happen and they are extremely affordable.”

As for Molly, after two weeks of being kept inside, she is now allowed back out, but only for short periods, “She’s doing really good. We are so happy.”

AN AMAZING 2018 FOR HELPING HANDS When Charleston Animal Society’s rural initiative, “Helping Hands for Rural Paws” began late last Spring, no one imagined the depth of need that the program would encounter.

“We know that rural communities are often overlooked when it comes to vet care for animals, and these statistics show that a program like ours is desperately needed in Charleston County,” said Charleston Animal Society Director of Anti-Cruelty & Outreach Aldwin Roman.

Since May, Charleston Animal Society has hit the road with their mobile spay-neuter clinic, veterinarians and support staff, visiting McCllellanville-Awendaw, Hollywood-Ravenel, Edisto Island and Johns-Wadmalaw Islands six different times. Here is a look at everything accomplished in 2018: • 630 animals • 396 families • 3838 vaccines • 1,452 other medical services • 293 spay-neuter surgeries Helping Hands for Rural Paws is a three-year pilot program made possible by the WaterShed Animal Fund.

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COMMUNITY:: New Police Dog

MEET VIK: NCPD’S NEWEST K9 Vik was donated by Charleston Animal Society’s President & Treasurer

ON L PATRO

BY DAN KROSSE PHOTOS BY TONY TASSAROTTI

K9S ARE AN IMPORTANT TOOL FOR police because they provide an extra layer of safety to officers out on the street. That’s why North Charleston Police are so excited about their newest four-legged officer, Vik. “He means everything to me. I sometimes spend more time with him than I do with my wife and kids,” said NCPD officer Craig Akins who is Vik’s handler. “Vik’s at work with me every day. He’s at home with me every day. We’re inseparable.”

Vik is a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois from the Czech Republic and was brought to North Charleston and trained thanks to the generous donation of Charleston Animal Society President Hank Greer and his wife Laurel, who serves as Charleston Animal Society’s Treasurer. “Part of the DNA my wife and I share is doing everything we can for animals,” Hank Greer said.

The Greers were saddened by the tragic loss of Mojo last year, a North Charleston K9 killed in the line of duty. “We thought, ‘what can we do?’ And the answer was simple. To the best of our ability we would do what we could to replace Mojo.”

Akins was incredibly moved by the Greer’s gesture, “I think it’s amazing there are people out there who believe in us enough to donate their own time and money.

They have given us a tool that will keep us safe and make the community safer.”

NCPD Officer Craig Akins dresses in his protecive suit while he works with Vik.

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Vik was made possible for the North Charleston Police Department through a donation from Charleston Animal Society Board President Hank Greer and his wife Laurel, who is the Animal Society's Treasurer.

Vik's exercise and training will continue as he begins patrolling the streets of North Charleston.

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SAVING LIVES:: Fostering

Why Save One When You Can Save 100?

A mother shares why her family became fosters to puppies and kittens.

FOST ERING LOVE

BY TAMARA HART PHOTOS: TAMARA HART (BUMPMEETSBABY.COM) Q: Which do you like fostering -- Puppies or Kittens?

Tamara: We’ve fostered both, and while I love puppy breath, kittens are a better match for the amount of time we have to give towards fostering, especially when the kids are in school. Over the summer we could probably foster more puppies.

Q: Do you get to name them?

Tamara: Yes. It’s really fun to come up with different names. We went through a phase where each litter was a different Disney movie and another phase of Pokémon names. We got our current litter of bottle babies the day before Thanksgiving, so we named them, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Turkey and Casserole. The animals are too young to learn the name so there isn’t any harm in naming them whatever you want as most adopters change the name anyways.

Q: Is it difficult to be a foster Tamara: The number one reason I hear from other people about why they couldn’t foster is “I wouldn’t want to give them back.”

Yes, you do get somewhat attached. They are sweet and you put a lot of love into them. However, after you’ve fostered a few different times you realize how many more lives you are saving by fostering.

Why save one life when you can save 100?!

Q: What has fostering taught your kids?

Tamara: That caring for another life isn’t easy, convenient or optional. Responsibility and accountability matter. There is more to life than your own wants and needs.

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Kittens love to snuggle and follow along the iPad with Tamara's 9-year-old Ava.

Fostering is a family affair. We take great pride getting these kittens and puppies use to being held, played with, and accustomed to normal household noises like vacuums and blow dryers. We wanted to make sure that when they went to their forever home they would feel at ease and their owners would have a calm, welladjusted animal, which would lessen the likelihood of being returned back to the shelter for behavioral issues.

Q: After 65 animals do the kids get tired of it?

Tamara: Yes. I think we all do. But it’s okay to take a break when you need to.

Q: What about the other animals in the house?

Tamara: They have been an asset and actually help the fosters learn to socialize!

Q: Does it cost any money to foster?

Tamara: NOPE. Charleston Animal Society is amazing at supplying us with a litter box, litter, food and even blankets and toys. A great benefit to fostering with Charleston animal society is their support.

From the foster coordinators, to the online community of other foster parents you constantly have help and encouragement. I also love that they have health check appointments and we get the support from the vets along the way. They treat each and every animal with so much respect and love its incredible.

Q: What would you change about fostering if you could?

Tamara: I would make the standard of care that Charleston Animal Society has for fostering the baseline for all shelters. Becoming a foster is easy, just go to CharlestonAnimalSociety.org/foster.

Getting kittens and puppies use to everyday sounds (like hair dryers) is an important part of fostering.

Tamara promotes her fosters on social media. Follow the adventure on Instagram @hartfamilyfosters

The Harts' other pets like Cannon help socialize the foster pets..

Tamara's 12-year-old son Owen helped foster Annie, a hound puppy who'd been hit by a car.

The Hart family loves to foster neonate kittens that need round-the-clock bottle feedings.

ADOPTIONS:: Saving Lives

M VALEN Y TINE

Love is Blind “The Donald” & Irene

BY IRENE HOLLAND PHOTOS BY MARIE RODRIGUEZ

A

t 83-years-young, if anyone had told me I would be in love for the second time in my life I would have disagreed totally with them.

After I moved to Charleston in June 2017 as a widow in order to be closer to family, I knew I needed to find a companion as I found myself talking to myself most of the time. I told all of my friends that I was looking for a dog.

My criteria were pretty simple – I didn’t want a small dog that I could trip over and also not a huge dog that would pull me over when leash walking. But I knew I wanted an adult dog.

Late last Spring I was playing bridge and had just eaten lunch with “the girls” when my daughter called me about a dog she thought would be perfect for me.

She was at Charleston Animal Society and had met “Stormy.”

He was a medium-sized, senior poodle with a patch of grey here and there, an incredibly friendly personality and he was completely blind.

I got so excited I left my credit card at the restaurant and took off in the pouring rain to go meet Stormy at the shelter.

LOVE AT FIRST WAG When I arrived, I knew it was meant to be. Here was this timid black dog who had been found out in the rain several days before.

His microchip wasn’t registered but he was neutered. And on top of the blindness, he was heartworm positive and way too skinny.

The shelter said he was about 10 years old.

I fell in love instantly and knew this would be my buddy. But the name “Stormy” just didn’t fit – so I renamed him “Donald” 12 CAROLINA TAILS | WINTER 2019

Irene, a widow, says Donald brought love back into her life in a most unexpected way.

because he does sort of have hair on his head like Donald Trump.

Going through the adoption process could not have been easier.

Very nice people took me through the adoption paperwork and even provided Donald his first bag of dog food. They also made arrangements to start Donald on his heartworm treatment! I was thrilled and made a donation to Charleston Animal Society.

MY NEW LIFE It took only a couple of days for Donald to walk around the furniture in my home and not bump into anything. He has great hearing and a terrific sense of smell and knows where I am by sound. He walks well on a leash and needs very little guidance to not bump into trees or benches on walks.

He loves children and other dogs but I’m still not sure about cats. He does have some separation anxiety and checks on my location frequently but doesn’t mind being left alone for a few hours during the day. He is housetrained and crate trained but I only use the crate when absolutely necessary.

All my life my dogs have been family dogs, shared with husband and children but this time, Donald is mine -- all mine!

As a senior lady I highly recommend adopting a senior animal.

No furniture chewing and as I’ve learned, you can teach an old dog new tricks. Donald learned to sit, stay and stop (when I find him heading toward a danger while leash walking).

Thanks to Charleston Animal Society for saving senior, disabled dogs like Donald. I may have been alone before, but Donald has filled the hole I had in my heart and even though he doesn’t answer back I now have someone to talk to, anytime I want.

Irene and Donald spend their days together on walks when he isn't traveling with her to friends or family.

Irene and Donald enjoying time together on her sun porch. Despite being blind, It took Donald only a few days to learn his way around his new home.

Donald was brought to Charleston Animal Society with cataracts, leaving him blind. The elderly dog was rescued by Irene.

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PETS:: Finding New Homes Ripple is a beautiful and loving, 11-year-old, indoor cat in need of a new home since her owner encountered health issues.

Illness is one of the top reasons pets need to find new homes. To learn more about Ripple, call (843) 991.9115.

RESPONSIBLE REHOMING

FIND HOM ING ES

BY HELEN RAVENEL HAMMOND

FOR MOST ANIMAL LOVERS, IT’S AN unbearable thought – having to give up your pet. But when “life happens,” pet owners are many times left with the difficult task of “rehoming” a pet.

"Whenever we can find a way to keep an animal out of the shelter and in a home, that is always the best solution," said Ashley Greaves, Charleston Animal Society Lead Animal Resource Center Specialist. In the past year, Greaves saw 614 animals surrendered by families to Charleston Animal Society. “It’s never easy to watch,” Greaves said.

Why do People Surrender Pets?

According to Charleston Animal Society statistics, the top five reasons pets are surrendered include: 1. Too many pets in a home 2. Moving 3. Owner’s health 4. Cost of owning a pet 5. Landlord issues 14 CAROLINA TAILS | WINTER 2019

“We strongly believe the owner is the best advocate for their pets so anything they can contribute is always helpful," said Greaves.

Shelters can be very stressful for animals.

They can make animals anxious, aggressive and ill -- making adoption more difficult.

But when the owner reaches out to find a new home, avoiding the shelter altogether – things can run much more smoothly for the animal involved.

How to Succeed for Your Pet To get started with the rehoming process— you can visit the Charleston Animal Society website (CharlestonAnimalSociety.org).

"We are partnering with Rehome and GetYourPet.com to help owners be advocates for their pets and also give them a chance to rehome their pet on their own," Greaves said. “You’ll find links to both organizations on our website.”

Rehome is a peer-to-peer adoption program run by AdoptaPet.com. "With

Rehome, we are working directly with thousands of animal welfare organizations - like the Charleston Animal Society - to help pets avoid relinquishment to shelters,” said April Harris, Director of Animal Welfare Insights for AdoptaPet.com. “The best part is that when shelters and rescues refer pet owners to Rehome instead of surrendering their pet, the referring organization collects the adoption fee, so we're actually helping to fund their efforts to save more pets.

Everybody wins with Rehome!"

Get Your Pet is another rehoming site where the goal is to divert one-third of shelter-bound animals from ever setting foot in a shelter. "Get Your Pet will save thousands of dogs and cats from surrender to the stressful shelter system," said Get Your Pet Founder and lifelong animal welfare advocate Angela Marcus. "We are working closely with local animal shelters, like Charleston Animal Society, to relieve some of their intake so they can focus on abuse and neglect cases."

More Rehoming Help When wanting to rehome their pets, owners can set-up an appointment with their local shelter (Charleston Animal Society can help with animals that live in Charleston County).

Greaves says posting to Facebook, Craigslist and other social media sites is another great way to boost your pet’s chance of a quick adoption.

To improve your pet’s chance of adoption, be sure to have a vet look at him or her, have the pet spayed or neutered and be sure to have your pet looking good with a bath and a brushing.

It is also a good idea to have the pet's veterinary records handy for the new owner.

Finally, always ask friends and family!

Greaves says the number one source of pets across the country continues to be from friends and family. “You never know what someone may be looking for until you ask,” said Greaves.

MORE INFORMATION ON REHOMING Learn how to write an adoption ad, what questions to ask a potential adopter and tips for a smooth transition on the Charleston Animal Society website: charlestonanimalsociety.org/GetPetHelp and wcharlestonanimalsociety.org/rehome-your-pet.

ANIMAL ADVOCATES:: Prai Beauty

PRAI BEAUTY HELPING LOWCOUNTRY ANIMALS

BY CATHY KANGAS, PRAI BEAUTY FOUNDER & CEO

I STARTED PRAI BEAUTY WITH TWO objectives: all of our products would be cruelty-free and we would donate a percentage of our profits to helping animals.

Today, PRAI Beauty is sold on home shopping networks around the world and is one of the fastest growing skincare brands.

We have been endorsed by PETA and are Leaping Bunny certified, the beauty industry’s highest standard for brands that never test on animals.

PRAI Beauty is the leader in targeted, cruelty-free skin care that supports animal causes. Known globally as the neck authority with the #1 selling neck cream in the world, Ageless Throat & Décolletage Crème, with one sold every 60 seconds. This efficacious skin care range delivers results in 7 days and is a home shopping phenomenon. PRAI is available online at www.hsn.com and www.praibeauty.com.

PRAI BEAUTY’S COMMITMENT TO ANIMALS PRAI customers love the fact that PRAI Beauty helps animals. As a member of the Board of Directors of the Humane Society of the United States I know firsthand how important this is. We started our Free the Shelters campaign in May 2017 to raise awareness of the often-overpopulated shelters in our country and to help shelter animals find home faster. Through this campaign, we sponsor free adoption events at animals shelters and pay for all adoption fees. To date, we have helped close to 5,000 animals in 65 shelters in the US and Canada find a new homes.

A successful year for PRAI Beauty inspired us to create The Cathy Kangas Foundation for Animals www.cathykangasfoundaton.org. So many people have reached out to us to ask: “How can I help?” Now they can by donating to our Foundation. We want to go from north to south, east to west and empty shelters.

Editor’s Note: The dirty little secret about the multi-billion-dollar cosmetics industry is that many of the top brands in perfume, skincare and makeup use animals in testing. Some will say they don’t test in the United States, but still outsource this often-fatal practice to countries like China. In this column, PRAI Beauty founder Cathy Kangas tells us why her company will never test on animals.

Y

BEAUT BIZ

Our Foundation will also work tirelessly to help horses before they are sent to Mexico to be slaughtered. We will continue to support legislation that makes life better for farm animals and shuts down puppy mills.

SAVING LIVES WITH CHARLESTON ANIMAL SOCIETY We were delighted to work with Charleston Animal Society in October 2017 and helped them find new homes for 208 animals including 31 dogs rescued from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

Many of these dogs now spend their weekends running up and down the beautiful beaches of Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms and Folly Beach after being adopted into loving Lowcountry homes and we couldn’t be more proud.

In November, we were thrilled to sponsor the Oyster Roast at the Charleston Animal Society Chili Cook-off. Knowing that our donation will help treat sick and injured animals through Toby’s Fund (Charleston Animal Society’s Medical Fund) made every penny of our gift worthwhile.

We love working with Charleston Animal Society because of the great work this shelter does rescuing animals – particularly those impacted by hurricanes - and finding them wonderful homes. I would like to thank their entire team for all their hard work and wish them and the animals in their care a successful 2019.

Along with Running PRAI Beauty as its CEO, Cathy is also a board member of the Humane Society of the United States.

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FELINES:: Guilty Pleasures

WATCHING CAT VIDEOS: GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH?

CAUG ON C HT AM

IF YOU GET A WARM, FUZZY FEELING after watching cute cat videos online, the effect may be more profound than you think.

The Internet phenomenon of watching cat videos, from Lil Bub to Grumpy Cat, does more than simply entertain; it boosts viewers' energy and positive emotions and decreases negative feelings, according to a study by an Indiana University Media School researcher.

The study, by assistant professor Jessica Gall Myrick, surveyed almost 7,000 people about their viewing of cat videos and how it affects their moods “Some people may think watching online cat videos isn’t a serious enough topic for academic research, but the fact is that it’s one of the most popular uses of the Internet today,” Myrick said. “If we want to better understand the effects the Internet may have on us as individuals and on society,

then researchers can’t ignore Internet cats anymore.”

NUMBERS DON’T LIE Internet data show that as far back as four years ago, there were more than 2 million cat videos posted on YouTube, with almost 26 billion views! In fact, cat videos had more views per video than any other category of YouTube content.

Of the participants in the study, about 36 percent described themselves as a “cat person,” while about 60 percent said they liked both cats and dogs.

Participants in Myrick’s study reported: • They were more energetic and felt more positive after watching cat videos.

• They had fewer negative emotions • They often view Internet cats at work or during studying.

• The pleasure they got from watching cat

videos outweighed any guilt they felt about procrastinating.

• Cat owners and people with certain personality traits, such as agreeableness and shyness, were more likely to watch cat videos.

• About 25 percent of the cat videos they watched were ones they sought out • They were familiar with many so-called “celebrity cats,” such as Nala Cat and Henri, Le Chat Noir.

PAWSITIVE OUTCOMES “Even if they are watching cat videos on YouTube to procrastinate or while they should be working, the emotional pay-off may actually help people take on tough tasks afterward,” Myrick said.

The results also suggest that future work could explore how online cat videos might be used as a form of low-cost therapy, she said.

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WILDLIFE:: Armadillos

THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT

BY KATHLEEN MILLAT JOHNSON

IMAGINE CAMPING IN THE Lowcountry and just as you are drifting off to sleep, you hear what sounds like Big Foot prowling around your tent. What you see, if you are brave enough to peek outside, is not Sasquatch but a football-sized creature shuffling around the ground making a big racket as it searches for food. It’s an armadillo!

This wild animal doesn’t even notice you since its ears, eyes and nose are totally dedicated to finding insects and grubs. You can go back to sleep; you are safe. This prehistoric looking mammal is not dangerous.

The Little Armored Ones Armadillo is a Spanish word meaning “little armored one.” The armadillo has peg-like teeth, a long nose and sticky tongue like an anteater’s, a segmented, rat-like tapered tail, long sharp claws and hard but flexible plates of “armor” called scutes on its back.

These scutes have given the armadillo the nickname of “possum on a half shell.”

The armadillo cannot run fast or fight.

Natural predators like cougars, bobcats and alligators don’t let scutes of hardened keratin stop them from grabbing an armadillo for lunch. A hungry dog might also be tempted, as would a very hungry human. During the Great Depression they were eaten and called “the Poor Man’s Pork.”

A strange fact about armadillos is that they can transmit leprosy (Hanson’s disease) to humans. They can also carry rabies and salmonella, so think twice before trying to catch, touch or eat one.

Armadillos originated in South America, slowly made their way across the continent to Central America , then to the United 18 CAROLINA TAILS | WINTER 2019

AT’S H W AT? TH States, finding their way to Texas. They were first spotted in South Carolina in 1995!

Visit our website (www.carolinatails.org) to watch an armadillo swimming in the surf on Edisto Beach in August, 2018.

Dasypus Novemcinctus There are twenty-one varieties… like the Big Hairy armadillo, covered with hair all over their body which works like feelers or antennae… or the tiny Pink Fairy armadillo which is only four inches long and can fit in the palm of your hand. It resembles a fat, short, centipede that is a delicate pink color. The Big Hairy and the Pink Fairy varieties are found only in South America.

What we see in the United States is the Nine-banded armadillo, (Dasypus Novemcinctus).

Armadillos sleep 16 hours a day in their 15-foot burrows and become active at dusk.

These placental mammals mate without fanfare (competing males may stomp around a little) and only a single egg in the female Nine-banded armadillo is fertilized. This one egg in the Nine-banded armadillo always splits and produces four identical

offspring. Implantation of the fertilized egg can be delayed for four months as the female awaits a more favorable time for birthing her “pups.”

Why South Carolina?

In the Palmetto State, it seems armadillos have found the perfect weather and environment to thrive. You may find them in your garden eating insects and grubs while uprooting your plants along the way.

You are sure to see them on roads like Route 61, meandering across the pavement or, unfortunately, as road kill. Their poor eyesight and wobbly gait are no match for speeding cars. When startled, they can jump three feet into the air, into the undercarriage of a passing car.

If you are looking for one reason to celebrate the armadillo in the Lowcountry, keep in mind that these relatives of anteaters devour fire ant eggs. And for anyone who’s ever been bitten by a fire ant, that’s reason enough to smile the next time you see one of these odd, meandering creatures in your neighborhood.

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ANIMAL LOVERS:: Protecting Pets

SOUTH CAROLINA’S NEW ANIMAL SUS H ADVOCATE POWERHOUSE

BY CLAIRE R. GRIMES

FROM A SMALL SOUTH DAKOTA TOWN, Kelsey Gilmore-Futeral spent her upbringing surrounded by dogs, riding horses and discovering her love for animals. She always had a passion for companion animals, but a high school tour of a hog slaughterhouse turned her love for animals into full-on advocacy for all living beings.

After high school, Kelsey moved to the Lowcountry to ride horses competitively on College of Charleston’s equestrian team and went on to the Charleston School of Law, where she started the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund.

With a law degree in hand, Kelsey went on to work as an attorney. It wasn’t until she learned of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) that she realized she could turn her growing passion into a career. “I learned of the Humane Society and the upper-level advocacy and policy-making decisions that they were helping to influence.

That’s when I understood that I could have a career in something that would benefit animals, that wasn’t necessarily veterinary science or shelter work,” Kelsey recalls.

Late last summer, Kelsey jumped at the chance to mix her advocacy work with her already stellar career in law, and was hired as HSUS’s new South Carolina State Director.

CHANGE FOR ANIMALS Kelsey has been working to bring about change for animals through policy change and law, “The work that the shelters do to save individual lives is so impactful for those individual animals, but if you can make a policy change that prevents those animals from ever needing care in the first place, that’s what makes change through law and policy in the legal field so enticing.”

Kelsey’s first order of business as the new

20 CAROLINA TAILS | WINTER 2019

Kelsey Gilmore-Futeral became one of South Carolina's leading animal advocates when she took the reigns as the HSUS State Director. Kelsey is posing with her dogs Widget, Echo, Pixel and Murphy.

State Director was to tour South Carolina and host grassroots meetings in numerous communities across the state. The meeting, appropriately called “Turning Compassion Into Action in Your Community,” was Kelsey’s first chance to meet the state’s advocates and hear about the issues they cared most about.

“The people have been the best part of it,” she says, “I was absolutely blown away by the passion, the compassion and the energy in all of these different communities.

It’s so inspiring.”

WHAT KELSEY FOUND While meeting with the state’s advocates, Kelsey quickly learned that her state was concerned with four main animal welfare issues: • Animal cruelty laws • Pet overpopulation • Becoming a No Kill state • Animal fighting During Kelsey’s tour, she helped our concerned citizens understand how they can best help fix these issues, “The most important thing is to be a voice. The animals that we love and care about don’t have a voice for themselves and that’s where the advocates come in.”

Kelsey urges her fellow advocates to call on their city and county council members to make changes or volunteer at their local animal shelter. “It really depends on the needs of the community and the passion of the advocate. We’re all most effective when we’re doing something that we love. There’s no impact too small,” Kelsey explains.

In regards to what Kelsey believes the state needs to work on, she hopes to see state animal welfare laws get passed more easily, “I understand it can be a little challenging to get some state laws passed.

I’m not sure I quite understand why that is yet, but I know that’s something I’ll be working on.”

Overall, Kelsey is most excited for all of the fresh ideas she heard on how to improve the lives of South Carolina animals. As she gets rolling in her new job, all of us will be cheering her on as South Carolina’s newest animal advocate powerhouse!

Kelsey welcomes any comments and feedback. You can contact her via email at kfuteral@humanesociety.org, or by phone at (843) 494-8794.

WINTER 2019 | CAROLINA TAILS

21

PET SAFETY: Cold Weather

D COL GH? U ENO

THREE TIPS TO KEEP YOUR PET SAFE IN COLD WEATHER

BY HELEN RAVENEL HAMMOND

WITH WINTER UPON US, IT’S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER SOME COMMON SENSE TIPS TO HELP KEEP PETS SAFE DURING COLD WEATHER. 1. Tap Twice before you crank your car.

According to Dr. Teresa M. Rieser of Veterinary Specialty Care, one of the most common winter perils occurs when cats climb up into the warm engine compartments of parked vehicles to sleep. When the unsuspecting driver starts the vehicle, these cats can be caught in the fanbelt and severe trauma occurs.

"It is not unusual for ‘fanbelt kitties’ to have degloving injuries (where the skin is torn away from the underlying muscle), fractures and burns,” said Rieser. “The easiest way to avoid this type of injury is to bang on your car hood or to honk the horn before starting your vehicle. This will hopefully startle the cat and they will leave the engine before it is started."

"Cats are masters of hiding," says Dr. Ryan Gipe of Oceanside Veterinary Clinic, warning folks to not only check under the hood but around their garages as well.

2. Don’t leave pets alone in a car.

During cold weather, cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze to death.

Also, just like humans, don’t leave a pet in a running car in your garage.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from exhaust pipes is dangerous and deadly.

“A dog left in an enclosed garage with a running automobile can be exposed to toxic levels of carbon monoxide in about ten minutes,” warns Dr. Gipe.

3. Clean up that antifreeze!

Antifreeze is toxic to both dogs and cats (and humans) when ingested. The first stage of ingestion makes the animal appear drunk. Once the animal enters the second stage of ingestion, their kidneys begin to shut down, according to Dr. Rieser.

"Untreated, this toxic ingestion is often fatal and time is of the essence when antifreeze has been ingested,” said Rieser. “There are tests that can be run to look for antifreeze ingestion and there are treatments that can be used to counteract the toxin if the animal is treated soon enough. Once the animal is in renal failure, the prognosis becomes poor and treatment options become very limited."

The best way to treat antifreeze poisoning is to avoid it altogether by cleaning up any spilled antifreeze and storing antifreeze safely out of the reach of animals (and small children). If an animal ingests antifreeze, they should be taken to a veterinarian for treatment immediately.

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RESCUE:: Adopt, Don’t Buy!

TAKE ME HOME

RESC U ME E

Start 2019 off with a brand new friend for life! All of these pets are looking for new homes, along with many more just like them, at Charleston Animal Society. Come see us at 2455 Remount Road in North Charleston or visit: www.CharlestonAnimalSociety.org.

Cat Photography: Marie Rodriguez/MarieRodriguezPhotography.com; Dog Photography: Jeanne Taylor /JTPetPics.com

Hi I'm Cheese, look into my eyes and know that I will love you unconditionally.

Hi I'm Mewks, and while I'm particular about my humans, your lap looks pretty cozy to me.

I'm Gizmo and I'm a fiend for balls, long walks and chasing butterflies. Come visit at Charleston Animal Society.

My name is Espresso and I'd like to be the first thing you see in the morning. Let's get acquainted at Charleston Animal Society and maybe you'll take me home!

Melanie's the name and purring is my game.

Please come see me at Charleston Animal Society!

My saucer-like eyes are one of my more alluring qualities. But I'm also great with people and mice.

Don't let my big floppy ears fool you, I'm all ears for you and ready to keep those pesky squirrels out of your garden this Spring!

Ask for Buck!

What's That? A treat in your pocket? You wanna' go for a walk?

Wow! We have so much in common.

Let's meet at the corner of Adoption and Happiness at Charleston Animal Society.

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VET DIRECTORY Charleston

West Ashley

North Charleston

Saddleback Mobile Veterinary Service (843) 718-4299 Mobile

Air Harbor Veterinary Clinic (843) 556-5252 1925 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407

Animal Hospital of North Charleston (843) 352-8404 8389 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29418

All Creatures Veterinary Clinic (843) 579-0030 224 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401 Patrick Veterinary Clinic (843) 722-4470 667 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403 Charleston Harbor Veterinarians (843) 410-8290 280 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403 Olde Towne Veterinary Clinic (843) 723-1443 17 Pinckney St, Charleston, SC 29401

Bees Ferry Veterinary Hospital (843) 769-6784 3422 Shelby Ray Ct, Charleston, SC 29414 West Ashley Veterinary Clinic (843) 571-7095 840 St Andrews Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407 Animal Care Center (843) 556-9993 1662 Savannah Hwy #135, Charleston, SC 29407 Animal Medical West (843) 766-7387 704 Orleans Rd, Charleston, SC 29407 Charleston Veterinary Referral Center (843) 614-8387 3484 Shelby Ray Ct, Charleston, SC 29414 VCA Charles Towne Animal Hospital (843) 571-4291 850 Savannah Highway Charleston, SC 29407 Banfield Pet Hospital (843) 766-7724 2076 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407

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Lowcountry Pet Wellness Clinic (843) 556-7387 5900 Rivers Ave, Unit D-1, North Charleston, SC 29406 Veterinary Specialty Care (843) 793-2161 3163 West Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC 29418 Dorchester Veterinary Hospital (843) 552-0259 5617 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29418 Coastal Carolina Veterinary Specialists (843) 747-1507 3163 W Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC 29418 Charleston Heights Veterinary Clinic (843) 554-4361 2124 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405 Northwoods Veterinary Clinic (843) 553-0441 8320 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC 29406 The Animal Hospital of North Charleston (843) 608-8948 8389 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29418 Banfield Pet Hospital (843) 797-4677 7620 Rivers Ave, Charleston, SC 29406

::

COMMUNITY

2016 Chili Cook-Off

Charleston Animal Society and Carolina Tails want to always promote the best habits for animal care possible and seeing your veterinarian regularly is key to having a happy, healthy animal.

Mount Pleasant Exotic Vet Care (843) 216-8387 814 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 East Cooper Animal Hospital (843) 884-6171 993 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Island Veterinary Care (843) 628-1941 Mobile Mount Pleasant Animal Hospital (843) 884-4921 1213 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Pet Vet Animal Hospital (843) 416-9304 307 Mill St, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Shuler Animal Hospital (843) 884-4494 1769 Highway 17 N, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Veterinary Specialty Care (843) 216-7554 985 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Advanced Animal Care of Mount Pleasant (843) 884-9838 3373 S Morgans Point Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466

Animal Eye Care of the Lowcountry (843) 881-2242 1131 Queensborough Blvd Suite 100, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Tidewater Veterinary (843) 856-7300 1964 Riviera Dr Suite G, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Animal Medical Center of Mt. Pleasant (843) 881-5858 958 Houston Northcutt Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Banfield Pet Hospital (843) 971-7460 911 Houston Northcutt, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Cats Only Animal Hospital (843) 849-1661 1492 B North Highway 17, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Long Point Animal Hospital (843) 971-7701 757 Long Point Rd, #B, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Palmetto Veterinary Hospital (843) 881-9915 2443 Hwy 17 N, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466 Park West Veterinary Associates Park West Veterinary Associates Simply Spay & Neuter (843) 856-9190 1054-C Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Southeast Veterinary Dermatology & Ear Clinic (843) 849-7770 1131 Queensborough Blvd Suite 100, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Banfield Pet Hospital (843) 971-7460 (843) 388-1701 676 Long Point Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Isle of Palms Sandy Cove Veterinary Clinic (843) 885-6969 1521 Palm Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC 29451

James Island Folly Road Animal Hospital (843) 762-4944 1038 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412 Charleston Veterinary Care (843) 789-3222 51 Windermere Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407 Maybank Animal Hospital (843) 795-3131 1917 Maybank Hwy, Charleston, SC 29412

WINTER 2019 | CAROLINA TAILS

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ANIMAL CARE

James Island

Goose Creek

Oceanside Veterinary Clinic (843) 795-7574 1509 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412

Creekside Veterinary Clinic (843) 824-8044 431-G St. James Ave, Goose Creek, SC 29445

Sea Islands Veterinary Hospital (843) 795-6477 1310 Camp Rd, Charleston, SC 29412

Mt. Holly Veterinary Clinic (843) 405-7765 113 St. James Ave, Goose Creek, SC 29445

James Island Veterinary Hospital (843)795-5295 756 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412

Animal Medical Clinic of Goose Creek (843) 569-3647 102 Central Ave, Goose Creek, SC 29445

Central Veterinary Hospital (843) 851-2112 1215 Central Ave, Summerville, SC 29483

Banfield Pet Hospital (843) 406-8609 520 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412

Goose Creek Veterinary Clinic (843) 553-7011 501 Redbank Rd. Goose Creek, SC 29445

Shambley Equine Clinic (843) 875-5133 122 Kay Ln, Summerville, SC 29483

Hanahan

Knightsville Veterinary Clinic (843) 851-7784 478 W Butternut Rd, Summerville, SC 29483

Pet Helpers Spay and Neuter Clinic (843) 302-0556 1447 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412

Johns Island Angel Oak Animal Hospital (843) 559-1838 3160 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455

Best Friends Animal Clinic (843) 414-7455 1000 Tanner Ford Blvd, Hanahan, SC 29410 Hanahan Veterinary Clinic (843) 744-8927 1283 Yeamans Hall Rd, Hanahan, SC 29410

Bohicket Veterinary Clinic (843) 559-3889 3472 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455

Ladson

Johns Island Animal Hospital (843) 559-9697 1769 Main Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455

College Park Road Veterinary Clinic (843) 797-1493 186 College Park Rd, Ladson, SC 29456

Riverbank Veterinary Clinic (843) 277-2250 2814 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455

Moncks Corner

Southside Animal Hospital (843) 556-6969 3642 Savannah Hwy Suite 176 West Ashley Place, Johns Island, SC 29455 Sun Dog Cat Moon (843) 437-0063 2908 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455

Daniel Island Daniel Island Animal Hospital (843) 881-7228 291 Seven Farms Dr, Daniel Island, SC 29492 Lowcountry Home Vet (843) 406-2997 Mobile

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Lowcountry Pet Hospice and Home Euthanasia (843) 640-9755 Mobile

Summerville Sangaree Animal Hospital (843) 494-5121 1665-A N Main St, Summerville, SC 29486 Sangaree Animal Hospital at Cane Bay (843) 494-5121 1724 State Rd, Unit 5D, Summerville SC 29486 Banfield Pet Hospital (843) 832-0919 470 Azalea Square Blvd, Summerville, SC 29483

Flowertown Animal Hospital (843) 875-6303 1401 Bacons Bridge Rd, Summerville, SC 29485 Westbury Veterinary Clinic (843) 873-2761 1497 W 5th North St, Summerville, SC 29483

Nemasket Veterinary Clinic (843) 871-4560 605 Miles Rd, Summerville, SC 29485 Oakbrook Veterinary Clinic (843) 871-2900 1705 Old Trolley Rd, Summerville, SC 29485 Sweetgrass Animal Hospital (843) 225-9663 9730 Dorchester Rd Suite 101, Summerville, SC 29485 Summerville Pet Clinic (843) 718-8980 1915 Old Trolley Rd Summerville SC 29485

LAW & ORDER:: Your Pets

ASK A LAWYER No matter how much we love our pets, there’s always the chance they will run into a legal situation. Attorney David Aylor took time to answer questions from our readers in this edition of Ask a Lawyer.

QUESTION: I am a pet sitter and some of my clients have offered a stipend to cover care for their pets after they pass until another owner can be found. Is this enough or do they need to do more to transfer ownership to me? – Jamie DAVID AYLOR: In many states, owners who seek to maintain care for their pets once they are deceased usually provide a pet trust in their will or final plans. Pet Trusts provide written instructions to care for a decedent’s animal for the duration of its life after the owner has passed away. It seems like the stipend you are being offered is similar to payment for the position of someone who is a pet guardian.

According to the American Bar Association, many factors should be considered when deciding how much to leave for a pet's care, not the least of which is the fact that pets are more expensive as they age. Some things to consider are: How many pets are included?

What type of pets are they? How long are they expected to live?

Does the pet guardian need funds to keep the pets in the manner to which they are accustomed? Is the pet guardian going to be compensated from the remaining funds after the pets’ pass, or should the pet guardian receive monthly or yearly compensation?

David Aylor with his son Fletcher and English Lab, Belle.

WINTER 2019 | CAROLINA TAILS

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CHILI COOK-OFF:: Animal Advocates

5,000 ATTEND 2018 CHILI COOK-OFF

FUN TIME S!

CHARLESTON ANIMAL SOCIETY’S largest fundraising event took place Saturday, November 17 at Riverfront Park in North Charleston. Money raised went to Toby’s Fund, the Animal Society’s medical fund that treats nearly 20,000 abused, ill and injured animals each year.

More than 75 teams spread out across Riverfront Park that runs along the Cooper River on the Old Navy Base. Chili was judged in three categories: Traditional, Unique and Best in Show. “It takes more than 300 volunteers to make this event happen, and we are thrilled to see so much support for animals in our community,” said Chili Cook-off Chairwoman Jaime Weber.

Over the past three years, readers of Charleston’s Post and Courier Newspaper voted the Chili Cook-off The Best Lowcountry Event, The Best PetFriendly Event and The Best Fundraising Event!

The Chili Cook-off is made possible with generous support from dozens of sponsors including: The City of North Charleston, Southern Eagle Distributing, Coastal Pain Care, Post & Courier, Crews Subaru, Duvall Catering & Events, PRAI Beauty and South Carolina Federal Credit Union.

Photos By Ron Davis & Kay Hyman

28 CAROLINA TAILS | WINTER 2019

2018 CHILI WINNERS: Toby’s Fund Hero: Overall Best in Show: Best Traditional: Best Unique: Celebrity Traditional: Celebrity Unique: People’s Choice: Celebrity People’s Choice: Best Presentation: Most Team Spirit:

Louise Palmer Pardee Heating & Air Pardee Heating & Air The Crossings at West Ashley TJ & Friends Mayor Keith Summey Journey Fitness ABC News 4 Mayor Keith Summey Holy Jalapenos

WINTER 2019 | CAROLINA TAILS

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DOG BREEDS: Most Popular

AMERICA’S LOVE AFFAIR WITH LABS THIS YEAR THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB (AKC) released its list of the most popular breeds and once again, the Labrador Retriever topped the list. It seems every year (at least for the past five) – the lab has been #1 in America’s heart. The photos you see on this page help explain why. Their loving temperament, fun-loving spirit and beautiful look make them a dog that everyone can love.

However, it may be their sense of loyalty and dedication to hard work that also make labs one of the most popular types of service dogs. Labs were initially bred to help fishermen in the Northern Atlantic haul in ropes and other equipment on boats. Congratulations to the Labrador Retriever, America’s most popular dog as we begin 2019!

Ava shared a special moment with a soldier during Charleston Animal Society's military appreciation event at Riverfront Park in North Charleston in November. Soon after this photo was taken, Ava was adopted by a loving family at the shelter. (Photo: Jeanne Taylor)

CRAZ ‘BOU Y LABS T !

MOST POPULAR BREEDS (AKC)

Sully H.W. Bush, helped the nation mourn the loss of former President George H.W Bush late last year. The yellow lab was the former President's service dog and stayed near the casket during the viewing at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Sully will now go back into service to help other veterans. (Photo: Associated Press)

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1. Labrador Retriever 2. German Shepherd 3. Golden Retriever 4. French Bulldog 5. Bulldog 6. Beagle 7. Poodle 8. Rottweiler 9. Yorkshire Terrier 10.German Shorthaired Pointer

COMMUNITY:: People & Pets

AROUND TOWN

IN' V O L E! LIF

We love to find people and their pets out enjoying life around the Carolinas!

If you have a submission for our Around Town section with your pet, send it to: CarolinaTails@CharlestonAnimalSociety.org.

Photos By Marie Rodriguez

Kathy and Tito Quiñones with Jack and Jill in downtown Charleston's Marion Square.

Bruno and Henry enjoying the sun on their porch in Goose Creek.

Darrell Francisco and Angela Millare with Tippy and Lucy (complete with bow ties) enjoying the weather in Marion Square in Charleston.

Charleston Animal Society CEO Joe Elmore receives a donation from the Crews Subaru Team during the 2018 Share the Love Event by Subaru. (L-R): Joe Elmore, H.R.Hicks, Jason Parish and Ken French.

Matt Gaylord and Sarah Kennedy with Charleston, Paddington and Frank at Hampton Park in Charleston.

WINTER 2019 | CAROLINA TAILS

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KIDS CORNER:: Humane Education

ALREADY DREAMING ABOUT SUMMER MY N FUN TUR

BY NICOLE GILL

HI, MY NAME IS NICOLE AND THE Charleston Animal Society wanted me to talk about their awesome summer camps.

But before I talk about their summer camps you need to know they don’t just have summer camps. They also have volunteer programs, movie nights, birthday parties, Bark and Boo, and so much more!

The summer camps have all kinds of people come and talk about animals. When my mom signed me up, I thought it was one of those camps that was fun but I didn’t think too much about it. I already liked animals so I thought it would be fun (but not super fun). I was wrong!

I showed up and an hour later I could read cats’ body language. You play games, pet, play, train animals, and watch movies while you eat lunch and the whole time you’re learning while you’re having fun.

The best part about summer camps are the people who work there. They are so nice, kind and understanding. But there are not just adults that work there, there are also high school students who volunteer and help the campers. All these people are amazing.

During the first summer camp I fostered two kittens named Cookee and Hoolee. I became a foster failure and my mom and I adopted both kittens. They are now one year old, and super crazy! Before I knew it, my first camp was over. I learned so much and I was really happy my mom signed me up for more camps.

Sadly, summer was over and back to school I went, but during school I told my 32 CAROLINA TAILS | WINTER 2019

friends about what I had learned. During the school year, I went to the first spring volunteer program and I also went to the second volunteer program. This past fall I got a trophy for helping animals and I’m about to work on a project to help Pit Bulls.

Now why did I just tell you all that? I

told you because I would like to be a future leader and Charleston Animal Society Summer Camps are playing a big role! So, give your kid a chance to become a future leader too!

Signup for Charleston Animal Society Summer Camps will open February 1.

TIME TO PLAY!

Kids are some of the best animal advocates so we’ve devoted this space to young pet lovers.