Lowcountry Dog Animal Advocate- Lori Nebel

Lori Nebel, Owner of Pet Supplies Plus

This issue’s Animal Advocate is Lori Nebel! Lori is the owner of a Pet Supplies Plus franchise located at 208 St. James Avenue in Goose Creek and she has been an ardent supporter of Lowcountry Dog Magazine and the local rescue community for a long time. Her rescue adventure began when she was a child in Massachusetts volunteering at the local animal shelter. She dreamed of one day working with animals and opening her own pet store - a dream that came true in 2014 when the first Pet Supplies Plus location was opened in Summerville, SC. “One of the attractions of becoming a Pet Supplies Plus franchisee was their focus on being locally owned and a part of the community”, Lori said. This community connection was fostered by networking with local shelters and helping to plan store events, fundraisers and donation drives.

She soon found like-minded friends, including Kym Wallace (a former Lowcountry Dog Animal Advocate), who was serving on the board of the Francis R. Willis SPCA at the time. Lori assisted Kym in her efforts to start Sinbad Sadie Second Chance Rescue in 2015 and served as a board member, as well as volunteered for events, transported animals, sponsored medical cases and fostered. “The most rewarding [thing] was being a foster. Yes, I failed three times!” Lori’s first foster was a dog named Sable who was found by a good Samaritan on her way into work one morning. Sable lived in Lori’s store until they found her a family. But as we all know, life happens, and Lori told me that Sable is back with the PSP family! “Five years later she is now back in my life. Her housing situation changed, so while we try to find her a permanent home, she is being cared for by Country Paws Play & Stay, located in Hollywood, SC.” Being a part of the rescue community in the Charleston area is something that Lori values greatly. She loves seeing the difference rescuing and fostering can make in an animal’s life. “It’s an awesome community to be a part of...Of course with the good there [are] heartbreaking, stressful moments you also have to be prepared for. It is hard work, just like anything worth doing.” Lori told me that even the smallest gestures can have great significance. “We had a little girl sell lemonade at our store to help support a veteran and his service dog. She did it all on her own and raised thousands of dollars!” She is also amazed by those children who choose to forego birthday gifts in favor of donations to a local shelter.

If you want to help animals, there are so many things you can do. “Foster, fundraise, volunteer time, make home-made treats, interactive toys, donate old blankets, kennels...the sky's the limit on creativity! I’m always about paying it forward, even if it is loose change you put in a jar. Every penny helps!” Lori currently has three dogs, Mia, Jessi and KC, who remind her every day that even though animal rescue is hard work, “It is heart-warming, gives you the butterflies knowing you made a difference and you can see the good that comes out of it. They need us and we need them. I could never picture myself without a pet (or several of them) in my life. They bring me tranquility and happiness. Why wouldn’t they deserve a second chance?” The next time you are in the Goose Creek or Summerville area, stop by and check out the amazing selection of pet products at Pet Supplies Plus and maybe even have a chat with Lori about how you can engage in your community animal rescue efforts too!