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Better Cities for Pets List
North Charleston and Mount Pleasant Make National List
By DAN KROSSE
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PET FRIENDLY
David Schreiber and his dogs Mavis and David Bowie enjoying the park at the Pitt Street Bridge.
DAN KROSSE A big congratulations goes out to the City of North Charleston and the Town of Mount Pleasant for receiving the Better Cities for Pets™
Certification. Both cities were certified by Mars Petcare after an extensive evaluation process. Charleston Animal Society partnered with both cities to apply.
Mars Petcare representatives said both cities showed a commitment to pets and pet owners that stood out and Mars Petcare was thrilled that they are looking for ways to further advance their towns’ petfriendliness. Mars is the corporation behind several pet food brands you know including Pedigree, Iams and Whiskas.
Mars Petcare launched the Better Cities for Pets city certification program in 2019 and evaluates cities based on 12 traits of petfriendliness across four categories: businesses, parks, shelters and homes. “We established the Better Cities for Pets certification to celebrate cities that are creating positive and welcoming environments for people and their pets, and we encourage more cities to recognize the benefits of our four-legged friends,” — Jam Stewart, Vice President of
Corporate Affairs at Mars Petcare
TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT MAYOR WILL HAYNIE
“We are thrilled to be recognized by Better Cities for Pets™. Our furry friends not only enhance our quality of life here in Mount Pleasant, but also help build community in our Town. The Town’s strong response related to supporting pet parents in challenging times is key to reducing pet homelessness and keeping people and pets together. My family’s eight-year-old rescue, Rusty, couldn’t agree more.”
Pet-Friendly Reasons Mount Pleasant was Selected:
1. Led by Charleston Animal Society, partners across Mount Pleasant are working together to reduce pet homelessness and get more pets in loving homes. 2. Mt. Pleasant doesn’t have breed bans or other significant restrictions for pet ownership. 3. Charleston Animal Society’s TVAR program is humanely reducing cat overpopulation and keeping cat colonies vaccinated. 4. Pet owners in your city have options for support to help keep their pets with them despite short-term tough times. 5. Pet amenities like waste stations and drinking water fountains are available throughout Mount Pleasant. 6. Mount Pleasant has signage that makes expectations clear for pets in public places.
Riverfront Park in North Charleston is home to Celebrity Paws in the Park, one of the largest pet-friendly events in the state.
NORTH CHARLESTON MAYOR KEITH SUMMEY
“Few things in life can spark as much joy as a faithful furry companion. As the owner of three great dogs, I keenly understand the importance of a pet-friendly city. From being the home and a supporter of Charleston Animal Society, to the establishment of pet-friendly green spaces throughout the city, to a business community that shares our love of pets, North Charleston is honored to be a Certified City in the Better Cities for Pets program.”
1. North Charleston’s animal shelters are warm, welcoming places people want to visit to take home a pet. 2. North Charleston doesn’t have breed bans or other significant restrictions for pet ownership. 3. Pet owners in North Charleston have options for support to help keep their pets with them despite short-term tough times, through Charleston Animal Society’s Pets
For Life program. 4. Your local emergency preparedness plans include accommodations for and communication about pets. 5. North Charleston has pet-friendly green spaces for people and pets to get healthy exercise and connect with each other.
6. Businesses in your community make it easy for people to be out with pets.
