May 14, 2017
There’s a bit of good news at the Lancaster Animal Shelter this week, even as it remains shut down while officials try to eradicate an airborne virus.
A new set of seven portable kennels has arrived at the shelter, thanks to $17,500 in donations from the Indian Land-based animal-rescue group Lancaster Area Shelter Supporters. The addition will expand shelter capacity by 30 percent.
The block of portable, climate-controlled kennels have been placed on a county-laid concrete pad at the shelter at 118 Kennel Lane.
LASS and other animal-support groups have been a constant presence at county council meetings over the past year, urging members to address the crowded shelter. Their efforts have won the strong support of council members Larry Honeycutt and newly elected Terry Graham.
“The kennels are really, really nice,” Honeycutt said. “LASS has helped make many improvements at the shelter, and this is one example.”
Animal Shelter Director Alan Williams said once the current quarantine over the virus is resolved, dogs will begin using the new kennels.
County Administrator Steve Willis shut down the shelter Tuesday, saying it would accept no strays until further notice. He said the shelter has been working for about two weeks to contain an outbreak of some undetermined respiratory virus, but has not been successful.
Willis said the shelter staff had followed veterinary advice and placed the animals in outside pens and with rescue groups. Despite steps taken so far including administering antibiotics, cleaning the HVAC system, and having the shelter professionally sanitized, the airborne disease is still infecting animals.
LASS member Diane Rashall said one recent improvement at the shelter will help with sanitation.
“A coating of non-porous epoxy has been applied to all floors to make future cleaning more effective,” said Rashall. “All of these improvements will make the lives of homeless pets better while they are at the shelter, and hopefully give them more time for adoption/rescue to take place.”
The county is negotiating a land purchase on which it would build a new shelter, according to Honeycutt. If that falls through, he said the county will tear down the farmer’s market on Pageland Highway across from the detention center and build it there. The new portable kennels can be moved to that location, he said.
The 12- by 26-foot unit has seven dog kennels. The county shelter has 24 kennels, but often half a dozen are occupied by dogs being held in court-related cases, reducing the number of available kennels for adoptable dogs.
The expansion, which will likely save an additional 100 dogs each year, is a joint effort between LASS, the county council, the shelter staff, volunteers, and generous dog-loving donors.
A sold-out LASS fundraiser was held Sunday at The Ivy Place. The group sold 200 tickets, but added nearly 50 more because of the demand. It raised more than $13,000.
LASS will use the money to continue rescuing, feeding, transporting and placing the pets. They also pay vets for medicine, treatment and for spaying and neutering.
“Since 2016 we have spayed and neutered 92 cats,” said Arlene McCarthy, LASS president. “Most of them have been adopted through Pet Sense.”
“We do whatever we can to make life better for these animals and to lower the euthanasia rate,” McCarthy said.
LASS contributions are tax-deductible. Donations can be sent to LASS, 51037 Arrieta Court, Indian Land, SC 29707. Call Diane Rashall at (704) 576-5674 with any questions.
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