Pet Pointers

BLAKE SHELTON HONORS KAY HYMAN

Inspired by the name and mission of his tour, award-winning entertainer Blake Shelton made it his goal to identify a special community member on each stop of his Friends and Heroes 2021 run. Local animal lovers were thrilled when they learned the Lowcountry Local Hero was Charleston Animal Society’s Community Engagement Director Kay Hyman. Shelton, with the assistance of the North Charleston Coliseum, chose Hyman for being a lifetime animal advocate and a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. She has appeared for over 25 years on multiple weekly television and radio shows helping thousands of animals from Charleston Animal Society find new homes. Kay began at Charleston Animal Society 30 years ago as a volunteer.

BALD EAGLES ROARING BACK

The Bald Eagle population in the U.S. has climbed from 72,000 in 2009 to 326,000 in 2016, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department. Now the once endangered species is spooking some pet owners, because these birds of prey have been seen swooping down on family pets, including small dogs. The Wall Street Journal reports that some animal lovers are investing in pet vests that include spikey deterrents to these majestic eagles.

TESLA WINNER: “SWEET!”

Out of 2,700 tickets sold, the winning Tesla Model Y Lifesaving Raffle ticket landed in the hands of John Osborne. The Charleston resident missed the Facebook Live announcement of his big win, but during a phone call telling him he won, he summed it up well in just one word, “Sweet!” The raffle was made possible thanks to Board Members Hank and Laurel Greer — helping to raise $270,000 for animals at Charleston Animal Society.

VOLUNTEER HOMECOMING

Charleston Animal Society held a volunteer homecoming in June. Volunteers give one-million hours to the animals each year!

THINNING THE WILD HORSE HERD

A controversial Bureau of Land Management (BLM) “emergency drought” roundup of nearly 800 wild horses in Colorado was postponed September 1, due to rain and the growing outcry from horse advocates and politicians. Opponents don’t like the method (using helicopters to stampede the horses and burros into pens) or the end result: placing the wild horses into a $1,000-per-head adoption system that the NY Times (May 15, 2021) exposed as a “slaughter pipeline.” The BLM and wild horse advocates differ on their opinion of the wild horses’ conditions. The government says the horses are starving due to the drought and climate change – however, advocates say photographers have shown the horses look healthy and happy. Out of 783 horses being rounded up on public land, only 50 will be allowed to stay, according to the BLM plan. The cost to taxpayers will exceed $2 million. All this said, Reuters reports that because of climate change, some animal advocates, including the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) are open to dialogue that may include using these helicopter roundups, coupled with fertility control. Stephanie Boyles Griffin, the Chief Scientist at HSUS told Reuters, “The greatest threat to our wild horses and burros and our public lands right now isn’t the BLM, it’s not cattle, ranching or mining interests. It’s not animal advocates. It’s climate change and the new reality is fast settling in.”

“PAWING” IT FORWARD

Charleston Animal Society’s recognition as a national leader in animal sheltering continues to grow. Grant makers like Maddie’s Fund have taken notice and provided resources for Charleston Animal Society to teach apprenticeships on the national level in fostering, education and shelter medicine. Even during the pandemic, Charleston Animal Society leaders have shared their knowledge base with hundreds of shelter workers across the country using technology like Zoom. “It is super exciting to share the procedures and protocols we have implemented with other shelter professionals across the country,” said Charleston Animal Society Chief Veterinary Officer Lucy Fuller, DVM.

Likewise, Charleston Animal Society’s Humane Education team has developed an online curriculum that will help other shelters build their own program. “We want every child to learn from humane education,” said Charleston Animal Society Humane Education Director Heather Grogan. “It is empowering and uplifting to develop these tools so shelters across the country can reach more children.”

Even Charleston Animal Society’s CEO Joe Elmore is sharing his management expertise with future shelter leaders who are obtaining their Animal Shelter Management Certification. Elmore is a virtual guest lecturer to these students at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. “Because we have the capacity to share our knowledge, we feel an obligation to do so,” said Elmore.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

They were seeing double at Edisto Beach State Park on a routine sea turtle patrol. As the patrol was examining a nest by counting the hatched and unhatched eggs – one particular turtle stood out, because he/she/they had two heads! Park officials say the twoheaded hatchling is the result of a genetic mutation. Other twoheaded hatchlings have been found in South Carolina in past years, but this is a first for the patrol team at Edisto Beach State Park. After a few photos, this hatchling, along with the two others found, were released into the ocean.

PHOTO: SOUTHCAROLINAPARKS.COM