PLEASE, PLEASE spay and neuter your pets, hunting dogs and other animals in your care. Also provide them with your updated identification - name plates on collars, rabies tags, and microchips. Your pets also need a safe, secure place to live – a fenced yard, protection from inclement weather and fresh food and water daily. NO animal should be left tied, much less without protection from rain, cold, heat, food and water.

Our Animal Shelter is overwhelmed and beyond capacity (currently caring for 470 animals!) with lost, neglected and abandoned dogs and cats - sometimes horses and farm animals. From 2024 data collected by our Animal Services as of September 15 of this year, 1,392 dogs and cats were taken in (adding to the 364 dogs and cats already at the shelter as of January 1), with only 116 returned to owners (due to proper identification and Face Book postings). Of the 1,392 taken in, 530 went to a rescue (another shelter with space to give the animal another chance) and 418 were adopted. EVERY attempt is made to find fosters and adopters for all of the animals. Euthanasia is only considered in the most extreme cases: aggressive behavior, poor health, severe injuries - when there is NO other option. Many of our dogs and cats have remained at our shelter for months!

Please check the animal shelter if your pet is missing. Access is provided to the public to look for lost seven days a week from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Pet owners can also email the shelter at ccaec@colletoncounty.org with a picture of their missing pet and contact information to help identify the pet if it is at the shelter. 

So, PLEASE, remember, an animal is a long term commitment. We can ALL do more to help and support our overwhelmed shelter. Volunteers are always welcome. You can easily take advantage of our shelter’s spay/neuter programs and other services. Call 843-893-2651, or email ccaec@colletoncounty.org. The shelter is located at 33 Poor Farm Road, Walterboro.

Thank you.

Jean Harrigal, Volunteer, Colleton County Animal Shelter

Janice Young, Board member, Friends of Colleton County Animal Shelter (FoCCAS)