F E A T U R E
S T O R Y
The New Berkeley Animal Center WRITTEN BY: FERN WOODEN, Staff Writer
During my time at Lowcountry Dog Magazine, I have witnessed and participated in some incredible events such as Woofstock, Eat Drink Rescue, Dia de Los Perros and more, but nothing brings me as much joy as seeing an animal find a new home. As I braced myself for the anticipation of seeing the new Berkeley Animal Center, I did not know what to expect. Eager spectators filled the parking lot bumper to bumper to see what the community longed for as the county’s only animal shelter. While walking up to the entrance to the new center, I was greeted by rescue horses in a pasture, followed by BAC Penny Paws promotions for fostering and adoption. The air felt like Christmas Day as the crowd grew silent once BAC Shelter Director Heather McDowell took the podium. McDowell spoke of the countless hours her staff and volunteers put into the development of the new shelter. More importantly, she talked about their dedication to saving animals’ lives. Animals like Rosie who arrived at their facility unable to walk or stand, each rib visible from a lifetime of neglect, were saved by fosters like BAC’s Event Coordinator Tiffany Hoffman. As McDowell addressed the crowd about Rosie’s inspiring recovery, there was not a dry eye in the house. When Hoffman took on fostering Rosie, she knew it would be a challenge. Rosie had to be carried for months during her rehabilitation program, one of the worst cruelty cases to come through the facility. Finally, the timid and terrified pit bull mix found a loving home, but her fighting chance would not have been possible without her foster
Above:Vet Tech, Dianne Shelley comforts a new arrival at the shelter. Next page top: Ribbon cutting on June 14th at the new shelter. Below: The new shelter has room for horses and other farm animals. Bottom: Young residents spend time with a puppy at the ribbon cutting. Photos by Jeanne Taylor Photography
mom. Shelters like Berkley Animal Center provide safe and temporary environments for stray pets, but nothing compares to the loving home a foster offers. Hoffman remarked it is the unconditional support from her team that helps her through challenging rescues. “Knowing that every person, whether it be staff, volunteer, or foster, does everything in their power to make animals’ lives better is how I get through the tough cases,” said Hoffman. As Rosie’s heroic story ended and the grand opening ribbon ceremony concluded; the doors opened and the eager crowd was greeted with wet noses and soft meows as they made their way through the new, innovative facility. The grounds were complete with three onsight outdoor fencedin grass play yards, two fenced horse pastures
