A “Paw”-sitive Start to 2018 at Dorchester Paws
Dorchester Paws announces $50,000 PetSmart Charities grant award and other
shelter updates
Summerville, SC – After receiving a $50,000 grant, decreasing the shelter euthanasia
rate and continuing facility improvements, 2018 looks bright for Dorchester Paws,
Dorchester County’s only open-admission animal shelter.
Dorchester Paws was awarded a $50,000 grant from PetSmart Charities for spay/neuter
surgeries.
“Each animal adopted from Dorchester Paws is spay/neutered, microchipped,
vaccinated and given preventatives for fleas and heartworm; this standard is not cheap.
To receive $50,000 solely earmarked for spay/neuter gives us the opportunity to focus
on other priorities, such as heartworm treatment and funding a public spay/neuter clinic
in Dorchester County,” states Kim Almstedt, Executive Director of Dorchester Paws.
“We want to thank PetSmart Charities for this incredible grant and are looking forward to
the opportunities it will afford us in 2018,” Almstedt states.
During 2017, Dorchester Paws made great strides towards ending unnecessary
euthanasia. The shelter’s total intake for the year was approximately 3,200 animals. The
shelter was able to decrease the euthanasia numbers by nearly 50 percent. Only 3
percent of the total dog intake at Dorchester Paws were euthanized, which is
significantly lower than the state average of 17 percent.
“In 2017, we did not euthanize for time, space or money,” said Almstedt. “Since joining
the No Kill South Carolina initiative in 2016, we have more resources across the entire
state and have gained valuable contacts and rescue help.”
The shelter is continuing the facility improvements begun last September when the
campus underwent its massive renovation. As part of this revitalization, the Summerville
Artist Guild painted two murals at Dorchester Paws. One is located in the dog courtyard
and the second in the cat hallway. These artists also painted a fence in the parking lot
for adopters to take pictures with their new pets. Sherwin Williams donated paint for the
project.
“Dorothy, from the The Wizard of Oz states it perfectly: ‘there’s no place like home.’ We
took this famous line and created a picturesque setting where all dogs and cats are in
their fur-ever homes. There is a yellow brick road to guide you to our adoptable animals
and even an Emerald City backdrop to remind you every animal is looking for their
Emerald City forever home. These one-of-a-kind murals are special to say the least and
we are extremely grateful to the Summerville Artist Guild for volunteering their time and
talent to turn a vision into a masterpiece,” Almstedt said.
To thank the Summerville Artist Guild, Dorchester Paws is holding a reception at the
shelter located at 136 Four Paws Lane on Wednesday, January 17 at 2 p.m. The public
is invited to attend. The shelter will be open for special hours from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. for
adoptions and is also having a $25 adoption special for all adult animals on January 17
only.
