September 3, 2019 UPDATE:  PET FRIENDLY SHELTER IS OPEN in Charleston County at 3765 Leeds Avenue Charleston Animal Society has been working around the clock evacuating animals from other coastal areas, and then leap-frogging them to other partner organizations for adoptions. On September 3, two transports from Charleston Animal Society took place. The first involved 50 dogs and cats being taken to St. Joseph’s Shelter in the Panhandle of Florida, far outside the reach of Hurricane Dorian. The second transport involved an airlift of 16 cats to Wake County, North Carolina — using partnerships with the Wake County SPCA, HSUS and Pilots for Paws. Other transports to Pittsburgh, Aiken and other partners took place September 1 and 2.

August 30, 2019 Update

Our plan is to get 100 – 200 animals out of harm’s way as Hurricane Dorian approaches the Southeast coast.

Charleston Animal Society sent a team to Osceola and Brevard Counties in Florida on August 30. This evacuation team is planning to evacuate 100 cats and dogs from shelters in south Florida, which is directly in the path of Hurricane Dorian at this time. This is the first of several anticipated evacuations.
Charleston Animal Society is the lead emergency responder for animals in South Carolina and a leading emergency responder for the southeast.

“Hurricane Dorian is projected to make landfall as a major hurricane in south Florida,” said Charleston Animal Society President and CEO Joe Elmore. “We are working with partner organizations around the state and country to place evacuated shelter animals ASAP in anticipation of continued evacuations after Dorian hits.”

Charleston Animal Society is the key to effective hurricane evacuations along the Southeast / I-95 corridor. Working with other rescue partners, the evacuated shelter animals will come to North Charleston and then either be transported to a partner shelters or be placed for adoption at Charleston Animal Society.

“To make our plan successful, we need people to come adopt the animals we currently have, to make room for the evacuees from Florida,” said Charleston Animal Society Director of Community Engagement Kay Hyman. “Please make room for one more so that we can save hundreds.”

During last year’s hurricane season, Charleston Animal Society led South Carolina’s disaster response for animals during Hurricane Florence. The Society also responded to hurricanes in North Carolina and Florida.

People can help in one of two ways:
1. Help Charleston Animal Society save more lives by assisting with evacuations and our most critical needs by donating.
2. Come adopt or foster an animal at Charleston Animal Society.

Evacuate WITH Your Pets

Please do not leave your pets behind in the storm. Make plans now to get your pet checklist accomplished:
1. Have recent photos of your pet, in case he or she is lost.
2. Make sure your pet’s collar is secured and that the ID tag is up to date.
3. Get your pet microchipped!
4. Place medicine in a waterproof container.
5. Bring any medical records you have (a great idea is to email them to yourself).
6. Bring a crate for your animal when you evacuate.
7. Bring food, water and toys.
8. Don’t forget garbage bags.

Important Links

Charleston County Emergency Management Department
South Carolina Emergency Management Department
Charleston County’s Citizen Info Line is now open. For non-emergency information related to Hurricane Dorian you can call 843-746-3900, and 843-746-3909 for the County’s Spanish line.

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