MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCSC) – The Berkeley Animal Center said Friday that it cannot take in any more animals until further notice while it struggles to get overcrowding under control.
The Moncks Corner shelter announced the moratorium after having an influx of animals in recent weeks and is operating at maximum capacity.
The Berkeley Animal Center has 153 animals on campus right now, overwhelming their resources and prompting a moratorium on animal intake.
“We will still take animals if they’re injured or if they are a danger to others or if they’re in danger themselves,” Berkeley County Government Public Information Officer Jenna-ley Walls said.
They’ve seen an influx following the holidays.
“People get pets sometimes on the holidays and they surrender them after,” Walls said. “Unfortunately, we do have animals that are afraid of fireworks with New Year’s and different celebrations. They escape homes, they’re found along the road things, like that,” Walls said.
They’re not the only ones fighting overcrowding. The Charleston Animal Society is dealing with the same issue.
“It’s never been as bad as it is now,” Charleston Animal Society President Joe Elmore said.
Elmore said it’s a constant problem that needs more long-term solutions.
“The animal shelter system in the Tri-County area, really across our state, has never been adequate for the growth of South Carolina,” Elmore said.
He wants lawmakers to take action to make public policy.
“We can solve this problem and avoid having our community build more shelters — because you can never build enough — if we require spay and neuter of the most at-risk dogs and we require registration of all dogs,” Elmore said.
Of all the animals that come into the Charleston Animal Society, 80% are not spayed or neutered. Elmore said for the dogs that are most at-risk of entering the shelter, that should be required.
“We call those the bully breed types of dogs, kind of that square look face, you know,” Elmore said.
Elmore is also calling for all animals that are rehomed to be microchipped.
“That will help us return those animals and not hold on to them,” Elmore said.
He said 75% of dogs that come into the Charleston Animal Society are not reclaimed.
Elmore said having the microchip would allow animals to be returned in the field.
“If animal control officers or good Samaritans find a dog, they have access to return that dog before bringing them to a shelter. Or if they bring them to a shelter we can work with animal control to return that dog,” Elmore said.
The Berkeley Animal Center is currently working on expanding the shelter. Plans call for an additional 4,000 square feet on the property which will add 36 extra kennels. They don’t know when it will be complete because they are currently in the design process.
If you’re interested in helping out either shelter and adopting a furry friend both have reduced adoption fees right now.
The Berkeley Animal Center said it had reduced adoption fees to $150 for puppies and $50 for adult dogs and $50 for kittens and $25 for adult cats.
Click here to visit the shelter’s website for more information.
The Berkeley Animal Center has also waived reclaim fees for any pet you may have lost until Jan 11.
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