Charleston Animal Society

In 1874, Charleston Animal Society was formed as the first animal protection organization in South Carolina and one of the first in the nation. Its purpose was then, and has always been, to prevent cruelty to animals. Almost 20,000 animals will turn to Charleston Animal Society for caring, compassion and hope this year alone.

More than an animal shelter, today Charleston Animal Society is a thought leader in the welfare and well-being of animals. In addition to caring for homeless animals, from hamsters to horses, adopting pets into new homes, and reuniting lost pets with their families, the organization responds to animals in crisis as a result of both man-made and natural disasters.

The veterinary medical department at Charleston Animal Society is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association, an achievement attained by only about 12% of animal hospitals in the United States and Canada. The comprehensive shelter medicine program not only provides direct care for as many as 300 resident animals at one time, the shelter veterinarians also spay or neuter pets to prevent pet overpopulation and provide emergency medical services to critically ill and injured animals arriving at the shelter.