The New Berkeley Animal Center

FEATURE STORY

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 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.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on June 14, 2021

Jeanne Taylor Photography

BAC Employee, Dianne Shelley comforts a new arrival at the shelter.

Jeanne Taylor Photography

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 and one fenced pig and goat pen. Additionally, the facility of 11,500 square feet provides more space to rescue helpless creatures boasting an intake clinic, grooming facility and free-roaming cat room. One of those areas includes Hoffman’s favorite section, the meet and greet room. “I love having a quiet and private place where potential adopters can meet and spend some time with one of our fur friends,” said Hoffman.

Unfortunately as the county’s only shelter, encountering residents like Rosie is all too familiar. Another successful recovery story was shelter sweetheart and foster fail Princess Rebecca. She arrived as a feeble 4 pound puppy with an extreme case of rickets, causing soft and deformed bones. Rebecca was also extremely malnourished and had sunburn scars on her back, terrified she put her faith in a loving foster mom. Unbeknownst to her, Hoffman’s family fell in love with her tiny paws and contagious smile. “She is a little package with a lot of love and a big pittie heart,” said Hoffman. Princess Rebecca is one example of a Berkeley Animal Center foster-fail. Fostering is one of the best methods to find your newest family member. It allows potential adoptees a trial run in a less stressful environment than a crowded shelter. www.lowcountrydog.com 17

The new shelter has room for horses and other farm animals.

Jeanne Taylor Photography

Jeanne Taylor Photography

Volunteers and fosters are an invaluable component to the success of the shelter. For this reason, a rescue is only as successful as the resources and support staff it possesses. “I feel that without volunteers and people willing to foster, we wouldn’t have the ability to care for the number of animals that we receive every day,” said BAC Shelter Manager Debbie Allen. Additionally, volunteering is the perfect way to give back to the community and make life-long friends with individuals who share a common interest: giving every animal a prosperous future and happy and healthy life!

Concluding the tour, I saw one of the most awe-inspiring shelter sections: the three large playgrounds adorned with massive patches of grass and a fenced-in area for the dogs to interact with one another. Lowcountry Dog was lucky enough to have one of the play yards named after the publication. We are a proud sponsor of their new facility, helping BAC with their long commitment to saving animal lives. Join the facility in celebrating furry friends with National Shelter Dog’s Birthday Party & Meet the Staff of BAC on July 31 and Adopt & Shop at Firefly Distillery on August 21. To learn more about Berkley Animal Center, fostering, or donating, go to their website at berkeleyanimalcenter.com. The new shelter symbolizes hope for more helpless creatures needing a fresh start in life. Visit their new center to witness what happens when a community comes together with a common goal. Who knows, you may even leave with your new best friend! ■