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Publisher Brian Foster brian@lowcountrydog.com Chief Canine Officer Peanut peanut@lowcountrydog.com Copy Editor Chelsea Salerno chelsea@lowcountrydog.com Social Media Manager Alyssa Helms alyssa@lowcountrydog.com Staff Writers Hali Selert Fern Wooden Staff Photographer Southern Vintage Photography Web and Design Consultant Laura Olsen Contributing Writers Tom Howell, Jr. Jeanne Taylor
For advertising and media inquiries please email contact@lowcountrydog.com
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Cover and above photo by Niko Fredericks
We believe that our dogs are our best friends, and that’s why we need a reliable source to turn to for information on all things “dog” in our community. Our mission is to be the number one Charleston area resource for dog owners regarding regional dog-centric and dog-welcoming events, health & wellness information, dog training, trends, and local news. We also strive to be a mouthpiece to the public for various Lowcountry-based pet nonprofits, and we promote pet adoption and other responsible pet care practices. Founded in Charleston, South Carolina in 2005 as a print magazine, we re-launched in 2015 as “Charleston’s Digital Dog Magazine.” We continue our mission to be the best dog friendly resource in the Lowcountry.
the lowcountry’s dog magazine since 2005!
In this issue
6 12 16 22 brother from another mother 30 32 34 38 SIT, STAY... BEHAVE: My Dog Changed My Life through Dock Diving HEALTH & WELLNESS: Home Cooking For Canines FEATURE STORY: New Year, New You!
LOCAL DOG EVENTS
IN THE NEWS
THINK OUTSIDE THE SHELTER: Rescue Spotlight: Kind Keeper GO GREEN: Adopt A Recycled Dog!
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Your Do g’s Resol utions for 2 02 2!
Peanut 's P O I N T
O F
Every year people make resolutions… they are going to lose weight, quit smoking, stop drinking, etc. However, most of these are abandoned after the first week. Here is what we dogs are doing for resolutions: Resolution #1: I will become best friends with the mailman or anyone delivering packages. I will not chase his truck or jump up on him. Resolution #2: If I get sick in the middle of the night, I will try and make it to the toilet. If not, I will try and hit the tile versus the carpeting. Resolution #3: I will not eat my poop, or anyone else’s for that matter. Resolution #4: I will stop watching you play video games and do a few laps around the house to get more exercise. Resolution #5: I will be less afraid of the vacuum or other things that make loud noises. But I’m not making ANY promises about the fireworks on the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve.
V I E W
Resolution #7: I won’t nudge you at your desk when you are busy working. But it really is all about me anyway, isn’t it? Resolution #8: I will not freak out when you leave the house, but I get bored and I miss you. Maybe you could leave me with a “to do” list. Maybe I could help organize my toy bin (by the way, they are looking a little raggedy … is there a new toy in my future?). Resolution #9: I’ll stop counter surfing if you promise to sneak me some table scraps every once in a while. What I’m Not Changing: 1. If you come home smelling like another dog, I will get jealous. Don’t cheat on me. 2. I will continue to try and get what I want by whining (a little) and giving you my best sad eyes. 3. If it lands on the floor, forget about the five second rule … it’s mine! ■
Resolution #6: I will try and not talk to you (aka bark at you) when you are on the phone. www.lowcountrydog.com
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T R A I N I N G
My Dog Changed My Life Through Dock Diving— What Will Yours Do?
WRITTEN BY: TOM HOWELL, Jr. Master Trainer at Bark Brains
Does your dog love to run? Jump? Swim? Fetch? If so, dock diving may be the sport for your dog— and you! I grew up with labs my entire life, and when I got Duchess as a puppy, it was mainly for love and companionship. Little did I know, that spirited yellow lab would change my life. Through dog sports like dock diving, Duchess and I formed a strong bond over the years. Duchess has inexhaustible energy and as a puppy, she often resorted to unwanted behavior—such as chewing, shredding, digging, and barking—as ways to channel her excitability. I tried a variety of methods to remedy the issue but it became quickly apparent that like most labs, she was predisposed to fetch and loved the water. I had never heard of dock diving before, so I took advantage of her natural competitiveness and joined the Palmetto Dock Dogs at the Southeastern Wildlife Expo in Charleston—and the rest is history.
Before going on with Duchess and my story, let me explain exactly what dock diving is for those who may be unfamiliar. Dock diving is a dog sport that involves running, jumping, and swimming from a 40-foot dock into a 40foot pool. It includes three disciplines: Big Air, Extreme Vertical, and Speed Retrieve. Big Air is similar to the long jump in track and field, where dogs run down a 40-foot dock leaping into a 40-foot pool. The dogs’ jump is measured by how far they jump in the pool with some dogs jumping 30 feet! Extreme Vertical is a discipline equivalent to the high jump where a toy bumper hangs over the water that the dog must knock down. The bumper starts at 4’6” high above the dock and moves up in two-inch increments. Can you believe some dogs in the world jump over eight feet high? Speed Retrieve is a timed, dragstrip-style race to retrieve a toy bumper. The fastest dogs in the world run in under five seconds, but any dog over six months old who is able to swim can compete. Now back to my story. Five years later after joining Palmetto DockDogs with Duchess placing in several world championships, due to my enthusiasm and commitment, I was encouraged to run for Vice President of Palmetto DockDogs, a position I have held since 2017. Further, my passion grew exponentially over the last few years affording me the opportunity to turn a hobby into a passionate career by starting my own dog training business. Bark Brains™ provides obedience, puppy and behavioral services as well as more advanced training like dock diving and other dog sports. Based on my personal and professional experience, I have observed that, while most dogs get plenty of love (affection), often their mind (mental) and body (physical) are not stimulated to the fullest extent needed. This results in a variety of unwanted and destructive behaviors that persist until all three needs are met. Dock diving can be the key for both your dog and you because it takes care of all three. Here are just a few of the benefits both dogs and owners gain by getting involved in dock diving.
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T R A I N I N G
Positive impacts dock diving has on the dog: • Mental and physical stimulation: running, jumping, and swimming are a great way to channel both. • Landing in water is less strenuous on hips and joints than other land based dog sports. • Helps channel high energy dogs. • Helps channel dogs with high toy/prey drive • Improves communication skills with owner/ handler. • Builds stronger bond with owner/handler • Provides all dogs with a sense of purpose, especially working dogs. • Builds confidence in your dog. • Destructive, troublesome and inappropriate behaviors tend to diminish or disappear. • Positive impacts dock diving has on the owner/ handler: • Gets you up and gets you active, which is great for cardiovascular health. • It’s great exercise and isn’t exercising supposed to be fun? • Helps reduce stress and helps improve mental health by getting you outside. • Builds a stronger bond with your dog. • You will notice your dog starts looking to you for more guidance throughout the day. • Training in general with your dog becomes easier. • Inappropriate behaviors your dog used to experience disappear or diminish. • You get to hang out with a wholesome group of like-minded individuals playing with their dogs and that sense of community brings you out of your shell. • It doesn’t take a lot of time or require hours of practice! So, get out to the Southeastern Wildlife Expo and try something new with your dog! Your dog will love it. It may just change your life, and career too! ■
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Golden Light
JULIA ROGERS 2022 Featured Artist Available at Auction 2/17/22
SEWE 2022 40 years in the making For 40 years, Charleston has hosted one of the most beloved events in the Southeast. SEWE is a celebration of the great outdoors through fine art, live entertainment, and special events. It is where artists, conservationists, collectors, and sporting enthusiasts come together to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle and connect through a shared passion for wildlife. This Is SEWE.
February 17-20, 2022
Charleston, SC
sewe.com
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Join us for...
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H E A L T H
&
W E L L N E S S
This or That? Or Somewhere in Between?
Home Cooking for Canines WRIT TEN BY JEANNE TAYLOR Contributing Writer
Any diligent pet guardian knows the challenges associated with diet and nutrition. We are routinely bombarded with commercials, marketing and hard-sells (i.e., “prescription” food that doesn’t contain ingredients requiring a prescription!) – it can be overwhelming. The bottom line is we want what’s best for our pets and that which we can comfortably afford. Unfortunately for some, those two factors are not necessarily the same. Several years ago, I undertook some research for my local humane society to force the realization that sub-par food and treats have long-lasting negative impacts. In doing so, I began to really read labels and admit that I, like many others, had been conned by slick packaging and ad wording on a particular brand that, when I really read the ingredients, found I had been feeding my sweet dogs kibble laden with tumor-genic and cancer-causing preservatives – A PREMIUM BRAND! I immediately changed their food and that deep dive down a rabbit hole kicked off a desire to purposefully pursue better and not believe everything I read. Like all of you, I’m sure, I want to keep my dogs healthy so they will be with me for many years to come and have a great quality of life for as long as they can! They are exercised daily, receive excellent vet care, have high-quality food, and a large part of their treat diet is either humangrade or otherwise stated as natural or organic. But guess what else I have learned? “Natural” and “organic” as definitions are not what you
may think when it comes to pet food and, sadly, manufacturers are not held accountable. For families who want to do better but don’t feel they have the time to cook, Jennie Dudley, owner of Hairy Winston Pet Boutique in Mount Pleasant and trusted local pet care resource, goes on to say, “We carry a variety of fresh, gently cooked options for dogs and cats - high quality, human grade ingredients that are completely balanced without the hassle of home prep. Just thaw and serve.” We have all seen references to AAFCO – the American Association of Feed Control Officials – on our pet food packaging. It certainly sounds official and trustworthy – but the number one takeaway from their own website is, “In short, AAFCO does not approve, certify or otherwise endorse pet foods. There is no AAFCO-approved pet food.” So, who can we trust when it comes to quality ingredients and truthful marketing? OURSELVES. Knowing what is going on behind-the-scenes is disheartening and frustrating since kibble is generally a preferred feed option. Brands range from lower to high-end in quality of ingredients as well as price so that decision is often driven by economics. But rather than lament what CAN’T be done, let’s look at what we CAN do to improve our pets’ diets every day!
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Did you know that simply adding fruit and vegetables to your pet’s kibble can have remarkable health benefits? That’s right, just like humans, the smallest positive adjustments to our diet can yield big improvements! And here’s another fun fact: fresh produce is relatively inexpensive – and often less costly than adding canned pet food every day. Not convinced or don’t have ready access to fresh produce? Even canned or frozen vegetables without salt or other additives work well and are also inexpensive. While I recently started cooking stews in our migration toward a fully home cooked diet, you don’t need to go that far. I’ve spent the last couple of months transitioning with meals that are ½ to ¾ small batch kibble and the remainder homemade stew. Thankfully, neither of our dogs has any allergies so we can change the proteins with each batch, and this helps keep them engaged at mealtime too. If your dog has food allergies, you will want to consult your veterinarian before making any diet change. Portioning can feel tricky at first when you begin to add home cooked food but monitoring your dog’s appetite and weight should help you arrive at the right serving per meal. When asked about portioning, Annette Dumont, founder of The Brindled Dog (and dog-mom to 17-year-old Brutus, who is the canine face of her brand!), remarked, “For portions, I monitored Brutus’s weight and came to a good place with it. To my recipes, I add a vitamin mix that helps with micronutrients too. From your baseline, adjust the portions as needed to suit their hunger and how they LOOK www.lowcountrydog.com
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H E A L T H
&
W E L L N E S S
- it’s all better than just kibble, so don’t stress the details too much.” And for those who are ready to make the leap to fully home cooked meals, ensuring they receive their micronutrients is also key. You can find commercially available supplements and even resources like BalanceIT to help you identify any areas where your home cooked diet may be nutrient-deficient. Thanks to the internet, you can also find quick access to pet food recipes if you aren’t a fly-by-the-seat-ofyour-pants kind of chef! Local dog-mom Rachel Kiser switched her dogs to a home cooked diet and shared, “Their energy has been way up since we switched, and Milli lost a bunch of weight eating a larger volume of food and they both LOVE it.” Once we bring an animal into our home and our family, we are charged with providing them the best care we can and that includes their diet. They can’t read labels or cook for themselves – it’s our responsibility to give them their best shot at a long and healthy life. Adding vegetables and stews as a supplement to their kibble is a simple way to show them how much we care.■
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F E A T U R E
S T O R Y
N e w Ye a r, N e w Yo u !
Reasons why adopting a dog in the new year could be beneficial to you and your health WRITTEN BY: CHELSEA SALERNO, Copy Editor
If you’re like me, then your New Year is often celebrated the same way: by coming up with resolutions in order to better myself and my life, and undoubtably failing to meet these high standards I set for myself. For example, I used to say I would start going to the gym three times a week. I hate the gym, I hate working out and I hate sweating so clearly this was a terrible resolution for me but every single January 1st I would start my “New Year, New Me” regime of going to the gym and by January 15th I had already dropped the habit. For a lot of us, New Years resolutions are impossible to keep up with because they are usually things that we hate doing. But what if there was a resolution that would not only enrich your life but also help save another’s? That’s right, I’m talking about adopting a dog! Dogs enrich our lives in so many ways. They can make us feel less alone by being there for you when friends and family can’t. They give us unconditional love and support in even the darkest of times and
can often give us a purpose. A national survey of pet owners and non-pet owners by the Human Animal Bond Research found that 85 percent of respondents believe that interaction with pets reduces loneliness and can help address social isolation, which is more important in the era of COVID-19 than ever before. Dogs can also lower anxiety levels by offering comfort and affection. Because of this, there has been a sharp increase in
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the popularity of emotional support dogs. Studies have shown that just 10 minutes of petting a dog can reduce cortisol, a major stress hormone. Dogs, especially active ones, can also encourage exercise. A 2019 British study showed that dog walking is considered an accepted social expectation and that dog walkers are nearly four times more likely to exercise by walking than non dog owners. It is a widely accepted fact that even a walk as short as thirty minutes every day can lower your heart rate, ease anxiety and relieve stress. It can be hard to convince yourself to get out and move, especially on less than ideal weather days. Dogs provide a reason and a responsibility to get outside and exercise, even if it’s for thirty minutes a day. Furthermore, dogs can provide an excuse to be social. Dog parks, walking trails, even dog friendly bars and breweries can be great places to meet new, likeminded people and your dog can make some friends as well! It’s much easier to exercise or go somewhere alone if you have a furry companion by your side. By adopting a dog, not only would you be increasing your responsibility to exercise and providing yourself with constant companionship and unconditional love, but you would also be saving a life. Approximately 3.1 million dogs enter shelters across the US each year and of those dogs, at least an estimated 390,000 are euthanized. By adopting a dog, you are ensuring it does not become a part of this statistic. Saving a life is good for the soul, and there are so many benefits to adopting a shelter dog. In a time where it can feel very lonely and hopeless whether due to quarantining, working from home or just a general feeling of despair due to the state of the world, making a resolution you can actually follow through with can provide some much needed relief. This year, become the new you that you were destined to be! Whether to provide companionship, a reason and responsibility to exercise (without the gym) or for the unconditional love only saving a life can offer, visit your local shelter and consider adopting one of the many dogs in need. Trust me, you won’t regret it! ■
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Left: “Paul Revere,” 3’ x 3’, acrylic on canvas Right: “Paul the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Antlers and red nose were added digitally after the painting was finished to use on the family Christmas card!
“Sweet Pea”, 18” x 24’” acrylic on canvas
Commissioned Pet Portraits by Louise Hall
www.auberginestudio.com 843-476-6537 Follow me on instagram @louisehhall_visualart and on facebook @Aubergine Studio www.lowcountrydog.com
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Sven & Drake
Sven is a two year old miniature Baldy/Hereford steer. Niko had searched for a miniature cow to be a part of their farm but could not find one. Through a connection in the veterinary field, Niko found Sven when he was still a young calf. Sven was raised inside with the dogs and thinks he is one, although he has come to love sleeping in the barn with the goats and chickens as well. The animals are all very good at figuring out where they fit in (kind of) and where the best cuddles are, but days on the Pelletreau Farm can still be chaotic. The parrot oversees everyone, whistling at the dogs and telling them to behave. The dogs spend their days in the sun with the farm animals, and the smaller, inside animals all get their turn to run around with their friends. Niko says, “I wouldn’t be able to help so many other animals or foster if I didn’t have such good pets. It’s amazing what friendships form in a safe environment. Of course, caution and slow introductions should always be used with small and large critters cohabitating.” A video of Sven walking into the house went viral on Niko’s TikTok. Sven’s social media account @sventhecow was then created, where everyone can see the adventures of Pelletreau Farm.
Sven and Drake have grown up together. They are the same age, born only about a month apart. Drake had parvo and a heart condition as a puppy and was given six months to live. Niko, who is a vet tech by profession and a life long animal rescuer, took Drake home, where he was taken care of and slowly introduced in to the menagarie of animals at their rescue farm. The Pelletreau Farm has dogs, cats, goats, chickens, pigs, a parrot and whatever other foster animals may stay there on a temporary basis. All of the animals on the farm are rescues and some are up for adoption. The one exception is Sven the cow.
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Meeko & Esmeralda
Above, Meeko at six weeks old, following Esmeralda around thinking she was his new mommy. Below: This cute pair send their days playing, cuddling and just being best friends.. photos provided
Aubrey Northrop is no stranger to bringing strange animals around her sweet shorty bull, Esmeralda. You may remember Esmeralda from the 2020 Lowcountry Dog Calendar. When Aubrey was to bring an orphan racoon home to foster, she wondered how Esmeralda would react. Meeko was found orphaned almost three years ago at about six weeks old. This happens frequently since so many adults that are out searching for food get hit by cars, caught and killed by pest or animal control, or are attacked by other animals. “Esmeralda has always been phenomenal with all of the random animals brought home including squirrels, pigs, chickens, and whatever else crosses my path so it was assumed she would get along well with a raccoon, too.” Aubrey writes. Once Meeko gained her strength back and was able to walk pretty well on her own, they were introduced. Meeko immediately saw Esmeralda as her new mother even though Aubrey was the one that bottle fed her. Whenever she took her out to play or eat, she would follow Esmeralda around everywhere no matter how far or fast. Meeko ended up becoming a non-release case meaning she couldn’t be sent back out into tbe wild, not even to a nature preserve. It’s definitely
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been a rough few years since Meeko is technically a wild animal and can still be crazy at times, but the two of them have stayed close throughout the years and continue to see each other as family. Aubrey insists that Meeko likes Esmeralda more than her. Keeping raccoons as pets is not advisable and is only for experienced rehabbers like Aubrey. If you are interested in learning more about rehabbing and helping wild animals in need, check out Keeper of the Wild at keeperofthewild.org
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F E A T U R E
S T O R Y
Juniper & Moose
Juniper is a tame North American Red Fox. Her owner, Jess, adopted her at five weeks old after learning that she needed a home. Working with foxes in rescues in the past and with that handson experience knew that they knew they could give her the home she deserved. Patient Moose, the Australian shepherd malamute mix, came to them after his six siblings and his mother were dropped off outside of a veterinary office after closing hours. His mother died of canine parvovirus shortly after being taken in. Jess says, “I had been volunteering at the time and as soon as I saw him I knew he was going to come home with me. He was the first dog I ever adopted, the first dog that I could call my own. He’s a special soul and because of his patient nature he’s helped many smaller animals learn to feel comfortable and safe before going to their forever homes.” Follow Juniper and Moose on Instagram @juniperfoxx or at juniperfoxx.com While not in the Lowcountry, Juniper & Moose insipred us to do this story.
Local Dog Events 02/ 05 / 2 02 2 Fur- Eve r L ove A do pti on Eve n t for B e rke le y A ni mal Ce nte r Jedbu rg J u n ct i on, 11 to 2 pm 02/ 19 / 2 02 2 K i nd Ke e pe r 6 th A nnu al Gol f Tourna m ent Crown Pa rk G ol d Club, 9 a m 02/ 1 2 / 2 02 2 S it , Stay, Spe e d Date For D o g L ove rs & Cat Disco Par ty Fo r Cat Love rs B erkel ey A n i m al Cent er, 1 to 3 pm 02/ 17 to 02 / 2 0/2022 Do ck Divi ng at SE W E B ri tt l eb a n k Pa rk , t ime va r y, sewe. com fo r m o re i n f orma t io n 02/ 1 8 / 2 02 2 S m o o ch A Po o ch at SEWE 294 Ki n g St reet , 1 0 a m t o 3 pm 02/ 19 / 2 02 2 Runni ng o f the We e nies F reeh ou s e B rew er y, 12 to 6 pm 02/ 2 2 / 2 02 2 P i nts & Paws F ro t hy B ea rd Brewer y, 5 to 7 pm 03 / 5/ 2 02 2 Ca roli na Co o nho und 9t h A n nu al Oyste r Roast Elk Lod g e , 12 pm 03 / 2 6 / 2 02 2 March Yard Sale fo r B e r ke l e y An i mal Ce nte r 1 01 D u n d alk Ct , Go ose Creek , 8 a m to 1 p m Check ou t our Even ts page fo r even m o re l ocal e ve n ts an d to check fo r date cha n ges . w w w. lowcoun tr ydo g. co m /even ts
LOW CO UNTRY DO G EVENTS 202 2 02 /2 6/2 02 2 Lowcoun tr y Dog ’s Ea t , Drink & Rescu e Estuary Beans & Barley, 1 to 5 p m 0 4 /0 9 /2 02 2 Lowcoun tr y Dogapalo oza Hanah an A m ph ith eater, 12 to 6 p m 05/15/2 02 2 Lowcoun tr y Dog ’s May t he Dogs Be With You Festival Tattooed Moose Park Circ le 2 to 6 p m 0 6/0 4 /2 02 2 Lowcoun tr y Dog Days o f Summer Location T BD 1 0 /0 8/2 02 2 Woofstock 2 02 2 : A l owcoun tr y Dog Music Festival Hanah an A m ph ith eater, 12 to 7 p m 1 1 /0 6/2 02 2 Lowcoun tr y Dog ’s D ia D e Los Perros Festival Location T B D
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In The News Mount Pleasant Certified BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie announced that the Town of Mount Pleasant has been certified among BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ by the Mars Petcare BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program. The BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ certification represents Mount Pleasant’s commitment to pet-friendliness. Mount Pleasant, along with North Charleston and Aiken, is one of the few municipalities selected in South Carolina.
Proposal to stop puppy mill sales in Indiana A new bipartisan bill in the state house aims to curb puppy mills while helping animal rescue services in the process. House Bill 1160 will bar pet stores from selling dogs or cats unless they come from a shelter or rescue facility. The bill was authored by Democratic State Representative Chris Campbell and co-authored by Republican State Representative Tom Saunders.
Win! Puppy mills slammed with major setbacks in 2021, spelling a brighter future for dogs It’s no secret that puppy and kitten mills treat dog and cat mothers and fathers like moneymaking machines, bred over and over with little to no regard for their health or well-being. It is simply no way for a dog or cat to live.
Click images above to read the full story. For more top stories, visit www.lowcountrydog.com/top-stories
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FOSTER. ADOPT. DONATE.
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Keeper as they began raising money, renovating the building, marketing, and ultimately opening the doors to serve the needs of homeless dogs and cats. Later that year, animals were finally accepted into the shelter, and the anticipation was real! It must have been quite a task turning a daycare into a fully functioning no-kill animal rescue, and the dedication shines through brightly.
WRITTEN BY: A LY S S A H E L M S , Social Media Manager
Kind Keeper No-Kill Animal Rescue is fairly new and one you may have never heard of yet. But after this article, I hope to spread light and awareness to a rescue that, despite the conditions and hardships, still makes miracles happen. Every single day. Creating a non-profit nokill animal shelter was only a spontaneous idea for director Belinda Mairowicz, and it quickly became a passion. It only took a few years after moving to the Grand Strand and lots of praying before she decided she could and she must! Then, in June of 2014, Kind Keeper Animal Rescue was born. Kind Keeper was named to embody the essence of Belinda’s mission – “a giving heart, a spirit of loving kindness for God’s creatures, and a conviction that we are responsible for nurturing and protecting domesticated companion animals who depend on human care...” Leanne Dornseif, their Marketing/Event Coordinator writes. In 2015, they officially got to start remodeling the shelter site located at 1500 LD Drive in North Myrtle Beach. This was no easy time for those involved in this amazing project, considering it was being used as a daycare prior, a little ironic considering they still have lots of needy babies to take care of every day. This was a stressful time for Kind
I had the pleasure of visiting this quaint rescue and was impressed with the light-hearted moods of each staff member I was introduced to. In their Marketing Coordinator Leanne’s words, “We are a team, and we all work well together and do our best to help each other out. Everyone works hard to help rehabilitate each animal that we take in. We are also extremely grateful to have so much support from our community because we could not do what we do without our community’s support.” On my tour with Leanne it was easy to see they would put down anything they’re doing to make sure all of the animals were taken care of. The key to a successful rescue starts with a passionate crew that deeply cares about each animal that comes into their care. As I was touring the place, I was so impressed with the comfort level of the animals, as well as the utilization and organization of the “staff only” areas, despite what little space they have to work with for now. I was also happily surprised by all the puppies! There were two new sets of litters separated in the different “whelping rooms” used only for litters of puppies or puppies and their mamas. They also had two new intake pups in their lobby office, and they always have one or two in the office. While I also met some older and adult dogs in the kennel room, puppies are a significant percentage of Kind Keeper’s intake. The handlers of the puppies have to be very careful as they can easily bring in diseases. Puppies are not fully vaccinated and after living in harsh conditions, can be very high risk. Most county shelters in the area don’t like to take puppies in, but Kind Keeper will. They also take in many animals with medical conditions facing euthanasia in county shelters
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or that have bad living conditions and pasts. Preparing these types of rescues for adoption is costly and they do everything they possibly can do with limited resources. Thankfully, Kind Keeper does have an area they take all intakes, along with an amazing vet tech and vet tech assistant, where they can test and treat heartworm, ringworm, any intestinal parasites, and mange. Any animals requiring extra vet care or surgery are taken to a local vet, and each animal’s spay or neuter is done at the few clinics Kind Keeper partners with in the Myrtle Beach area. Kind Keeper continues to grow more and more each year. In 2020 and 2021 they were able to find nearly a thousand animals forever homes and currently have up to 120 animals in their care at a time. Kind Keeper has big plans for 2022 and the future. Last year they were finally able to purchase land for a new building. This year they plan to raise money they need to create the facility of their animal-loving dreams. The new location (see above rendering) will have over twice the space allowing more room for more animals in need. The staff will not have to worry about whether or not they can take them or where they can put them. The folks at the rescue are itching to start construction in order to expand and help more animals. Kind Keeper hopes to also have a low-cost animal clinic, a pet food bank to give back to the community, areas for training and grooming, a pet-friendly event space, and so much more! However, expanding is no easy endeavor and will not happen overnight.
They still need to raise almost two million dollars before the new facility’s construction gets started. They are so glad to have tremendous growth and support, and they are not giving up! They are very lucky to have the extremely hardworking staff members and amazing volunteers they do. Leanne says, “One of the best things about Kind Keeper is how all our staff and volunteers have so much passion for what we do here, and everyone cares so deeply for each animal that comes into our care...each of these positions is crucial in running day-to-day operations at Kind Keeper.” Their number one priority at Kind Keeper No-Kill Animal Shelter is to make sure all their animals are loved and cared for. Their drive for saving and protecting more animals allows them to want to keep expanding. They will be able to save more animals and give them a whole lot more room to rehabilitate, while also giving the staff the space and resources they need and deserve. A day in the life of Kind Keeper is no different from any other: hectic! They are always things to be done and there are so many ways to help and make a difference. Because Kind Keeper is not funded by the state, county, or government, they rely strictly on donations. If you would like to help them reach their goal, donate at kindkeeper.org. The public can also get involved by volunteering at the shelter, attending fundraising events, sharing posts on social media, and of course fostering and adopting. ■
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T H A N K
Y O U
T O
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S P O N S O R S
BOARDING
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1090 Jack Primus Road (Just off Clements Ferry)
Vintage Antique Edwardian Art Deco Victorian Jewelry
Lucee's Treasure Chest
10% of sales donated to local spay & neuter efforts
etsy.com/shop/LuceesTreasureChest
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Over 35 Years Experience in the Pet Industry.
One stop shop for food, treats, supplements, grooming, and self serve dog wash Certified in pet allergy and nutrition. Corn and wheat free store. Locally Owned
440 Old Trolley Road, Ste A Summerville, SC 29485 843-871-7977
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GO GREEN | ADOPT A RECYCLED DOG
PET HELPERS
C AROLINA BASSET T HOUND
THESE ADOPTABLE DOGS ARE SPONSORED BY:
C AROLINA COONHOUND
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BERKELEY ANIMAL CENTER
KIND KEEPER
ALL 4 PAWS
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GO GREEN | ADOPT A RECYCLED DOG
BULLIES TO THE RESCUE
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LAKESIDE ANIMAL RESCUE
LIBBY AND MACE’S PLACE
WATERS EDGE
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DORCHESTER PAWS
HALLIE HILL
THESE ADOPTABLE DOGS ARE SPONSORED BY:
C AROLINA BOXER RESCUE
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THE
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