This month’s Animal Advocate is Dr. Sally Brown Lanford, Owner of Bees Ferry Veterinary Hospital and Director of Happy’s Porch. Happy’s Porch is a non-profit organization located just outside of Charleston that is dedicated to improving the quality of life for elderly animals and the humans who love them. Dr. Lanford came up with the idea for this after years of seeing pets left behind after their owners passed away or became unable to care for them due to infirmity. I spoke with her and learned all about this wonderful place. “I have been a veterinarian in Charleston for 30 years. During that time I have become close with many of my clients...so through the years I have counseled many people about planning for the care of their pet.” She urges them not to assume that family members will undertake the responsibility of caring for their pets after their passing. “The family may have pets of their own that don’t get along with the pet left behind, their housing situation may not allow it, or the stress and grief lowcountry dog 36
Dr. Sally Brown Written by Julie Murray Bees Ferry Veterinary Hospital
may make it impossible for them to take on another responsibility.” This often leads to the pet being taken to a shelter, scared and wondering where their “person” has gone. Other life events, such as hospitalization, divorce, or moving to assisted living or hospice may also lead someone to give up their animal. When this happens, Dr. Lanford says the people are often devastated, worried, and unable to rest or heal while worrying about the welfare of their pet. After seeing this happen many times throughout her career, Dr. Lanford came up with the idea for a place where animals can go when their people can no longer care for them.
