The Daily Gamecock 1/21/14

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dailygamecock.com UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

VOL. 114, NO. 6 • SINCE 1908

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

Local shelter hanging on financially

People think we’re rich. I don’t know how people can think that when they see that clinic. — Jane Brundage Founder of Pets Inc.

Brian Almond / THE DAILY GAMECOCK

Not every animal is as adoptable as the newborn kittens that fit in your hand, and each animal that comes through the door of Pets Inc. costs the shelter at least $150.

Pets Inc. saved by over 3,000 donations, a total $117,000 Hannah Jeffrey

NEWS@DAILYGAMECOCK.COM

Ashley Gilmore stood among the barking puppies and mewing kittens at Pets Inc. while she waited for her eight-week-old puppy, Deuce, to get his nails clipped. Gilmore, a fourth-year public health student, has only had Deuce for a week. When she returned from winter break, her boyfriend surprised her with the pup from Pets Inc. after she begged for a furry friend for what she said felt like

forever. This is Gilmore’s second time at Pets Inc. After this visit, Gilmore will make a few more trips to the West Columbia pet shelter to get Deuce his shots and medicine. Unfortunately, many other animals at Pets Inc. don’t follow the same storyline as Deuce. Some aren’t as adoptable as the eight-week-old puppies and newborn kittens that fit in the palm of your hand; however, Pets Inc. will keep all animals until their adopted. This means the facility is consistently filled to the brim with animals looking for a place to live, adding a financial burden to the management: the more animals that come in, the less space there

is to keep them comfortably. And then there are the costs. According to Nathan Pope, the front office manager at Pets Inc., each animal that comes through the door costs the shelter at least $150 in medical fees, which include shots, microchips and any other medicine the animal may require. Added services like dental procedures and amputations upped the shelter’s revenue but did not bridge the gap left behind after the 2012 donation drop-off. After increasing to over $622,000 in 2011, donations fell back down in 2012, according to 2012 IRS filings. With an overflow of animals, a lack of space and an ever-growing debt, Pets Inc. looked to the public for help.

The response they got reminded the staff of why they go to work each day, Pope said. Over 3,000 donations, totaling around $117,000, poured in. Being a non-profit organization, all of the money Pets Inc. received went directly to the care of the animals, and while the recent swell in donations helped pay off a good bit of the shelter’s veterinary costs, Pets Inc. still isn’t in the green. “People t h in k we’re rich,” Jane Brundage, the founder of Pets Inc., said. “I don’t know how people can think that when they see that clinic.” Brundage said 2013 was the “perfect PETS • 3

Dean of USC Sumter announced New dean boasts 20 years of higher education experience Natalie Pita

NEWS@DAILYGAMECOCK.COM

The new dean of the University of South Carolina Sumter, Michael Sonntag, will bring nearly 20 years of higher education experience to the position when he takes over on Feb. 1. His experience includes serving as chief academic officer at the University of Maine at Presque Isle since 2007. Palmetto College Chancellor Susan Elkins announced his appointment on Jan. 17, and attributed Sonntag’s selection to his academic leadership paired with his demonstrated success in both campus and community relations. “Dr. Sonntag has a vision of leading USC Sumter to greater heights, building on past successes while also initiating creative and innovative efforts,” Elkins said. “His many successes at both UMPI and Lander University in Greenwood, S.C., emphasize his leadership strengths in faculty and campus relations, accountability, strategic planning, external relationship building and securing resources. His inclusive and open leadership style will be a strong asset for the campus and community. We are delighted to have him as a member of the Palmetto College leadership team, providing leadership for USC Sumter.” According to Sonntag, 46, Palmetto College’s access mission and community focus drew him to the dean’s position at USC Sumter. DEAN • 2

Beer festival brings craft to Columbia SEE PAGE 5

Natalie Pita/ THE DAILY GAMECOCK

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore benefited from student laborers painting and building shelves on Monday.

Students volunteer for MLK Day 23 sites in community benefit from service Natalie Pita

NEWS@DAILYGAMECOCK.COM

More than 360 USC students spent their day off from classes volunteering at the largest campuswide service event of the year, the Martin Luther K ing Jr. Day of Service. “Day s of ser v ice a re a way to t r a n sfor m Dr. K i ng ’s l ife and teachings into communit y action,” said Mitchell Hammonds, secretary of traditions for Student G over n ment. “I n add it ion to helping solve serious problems, service brings together people from different backgrounds and benefits those served. On MLK Day, this

is especially fitting. When we all come together in service, it not only honors Dr. King, but builds a lasting change in our community.” The event has grown so popular that the project was expanded to two days three years ago. An additional 246 students will volunteer on Saturday for the second day of service. Bu s e s t o ok s t ude nt s t o 23 volu nteer sites, including t he Habitat for Humanity ReStore, City Roots, the Good Samaritan Clinic, God’s Storehouse and Project Hope. Many of the sites used for MLK Day were organizat ions that are used regularly by USC for Service Saturdays and Impact Weekly Service Projects. Between the two days, 46 site leaders led each of the projects. Many of these student leaders are

returning site leaders from Service Sat u rday s. E ach leader went through an application process prior to being selected as a site leader. “Because it’s such a tradition, there’s just a lot of interest in being a site leader for MLK Day, which is exciting for us,” said Beth Brink, a leadership coach in the Community Service Programs. Adam Mayer, the site leader for t he Habitat for Humanit y ReStore, has participated in Service Saturdays and MLK Day of Service since his freshman year. Although he has volunteered at many different sites, he has worked with Habitat for Humanity eight or nine times over the past three years. He said he enjoys seeing the progress of the organization over MLK • 3


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