HSYC In The News

Humane society works overtime to find pets homes

By Buursma The Fort Mill Times

(Published July 26‚ 2001) - FORT MILL-Abandoned kittens and puppies are finding new homes faster during these summer months, but the supply at the Humane Society of York County is far from dwindling.

The Fort Mill location holds about 200 animals at a time, but for every one that gets adopted, another is waiting to take its place, say Humane Society staff. The organization is set to surpass last year's record of 2,600 animals placed.

"We stay pretty full," said Angie Doss of the Humane Society. "We get them in as soon as we put them out."

The Humane Society always has better luck finding homes for younger cats and dogs, said Humane Society director Kathy Sowell, but has been able to find homes for animals of all ages pretty successfully this summer.

"This is a hot-pick time. We had a real good month last month," Sowell said. "Last weekend alone we adopted out 23. That includes three adults."

Though business has been better than usual for the last year, according to Sowell, the Humane Society may not even be putting a dent in the unwanted pet population in this area. That's evidence that not enough people spay or neuter their pets in York and Mecklenburg counties, Sowell said.

"There's no way we can handle as many requests as we get," Sowell said. "I get 20 to 30 calls per day from people who want to bring animals in. But we can't take any in until more get adopted. We've only got so much room. Only so many dishes, so many litter pans."

And this week alone, the shelter is housing 70 dogs and about 50 cats.

The York County Humane Society is not a no-kill facility, Sowell said, but they won't put down a healthy animal. A cat would have to be sick with AIDS or leukemia, and a dog would have to have heartworms, to be put down.

Puppies and kittens are the most popular pets adopted at the shelter, and they're also the cheapest. Newborns are $55. That price includes the cost of an examination and first round of vaccinations. The new owner is also contractually obligated to get the animal spayed or neutered when it's old enough. Adult cats and dogs cost $75, and all have been "fixed" before they leave the facility. A purebred animal will show up at the Humane Society occasionally, and those cost about $100.

Those fees help the organization pay for food and medical expenses for the animals. The staff is mostly volunteer, according to Sowell-the only paid employees are the ones hired to come in and clean.

"What money we do get goes back into the care of the animals," Sowell said. "We don't even think about making a profit here."
Want a pet? Why not adopt?

Humane Society of York County, 2036 Carolina Place (off Highway 160 near I-77, behind the BP gas station), Fort Mill, Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m-4 p.m.

Puppies and kittens cost $55

Adult dogs and cats cost $75

Purebreds cost about $100

The Humane Society is always in need of pet supplies, including food, cat litter, blankets and metal bowls. Call 802-0902 for more info on how to adopt or how you can help them out.

Rabies Clinic

The Humane Society will offer low-cost rabies shots this Saturday at Dirty Dog Depot on Highway 160 West, from 3-5 p.m. Rabies shots for cats and dogs will cost just $7 each.

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