Lancaster gets no-kill pet sanctuary

Davey’s nonprofit shifts strategy, 7-year quest pays off

By Mandy Catoe
Sept. 15, 2017





Lancaster County will soon have its first no-kill pet sanctuary and will begin providing a safe haven to shelter pets by the end of September.
In June, the Indian Land-based nonprofit rescue group Paws in the Panhandle bought Palmetto Kennels, located off U.S. 521 just past Shiloh Unity Road north of Lancaster.
It’s a change in direction for Paws founder Gloria Davey, who had bought land in Fort Mill and planned to build a shelter from scratch there.
Since taking over Palmetto Kennels on July 1, Davey, 65, has worked nonstop learning the pet-boarding business. She took a much-needed break on Labor Day to talk about the transition.
The busy summer boarding season left her little time to sit and reflect on the possibilities and to “enjoy the wow.” Seated in a rocker on the front porch of the main kennel building with Jenna, a rescued lab, at her feet, she looked across the wide expanse of green spreading over 35 acres – three pet kennel facilities, a pond and acreage to grow.
“This is all Paws in the Panhandle,” Davey said as she rocked and nodded. “Look at what we can do…. Paws made a million-dollar investment to save homeless pets.”
Palmetto Kennels, which was full for the holiday weekend, has been boarding pets for four decades. The name will stay the same under the new ownership.
“Next year, our capacity for boarding may decrease slightly but it is our plan to always have grooming and a large amount of boarding to fund our rescue operations,” she said.
Davey promises pet owners that employees will be equally attentive to all animals – boarded and rescued.

New direction
Davey retired in 2007 from Springs Industries after a 35-year IT career and has dedicated her life since then to saving pets. She founded Paws in the Panhandle in 2010.
Last January, the nonprofit rescue group switched gears from rescuing to building a facility that would allow them to save more shelter animals. Through donations and revenue from PAWSitively Thrifty, the group’s second-hand store in Indian Land, Paws purchased nearly 12 acres in Fort Mill and was preparing to build its pet sanctuary. With architectural drawings in hand, the group kicked off a capital campaign.
While Paws was raising money to build its rescue facility in Fort Mill, Palmetto Kennels owner Moe Morris was trying to form a rescue group.
Frustrated by bureaucratic roadblocks, he was almost ready to give up. He then read the story about Paws in the Panhandle and called Davey with an offer to sell his business.
“Why would I do this by myself and drive myself completely insane on something I know nothing about?” Morris said. “She’s got the people. She’s got the system. The only thing she doesn’t have is the kennel.”
Paws in the Panhandle embraced the opportunity.
“We needed a facility, and we wanted to start saving lives,” Davey said.
Buying the established boarding and grooming business gives the rescue group another income stream.
Palmetto Kennels has 80 dog runs and a cattery for 22 cats. Paws will reduce the boarding kennels from 80 to 42, setting aside 38 runs for rescued dogs.
She plans to hire a residential kennel manager to oversee operations.

Rescue partners
Paws plans to partner with other rescue groups to provide a place for the mandatory two-week quarantine that shelter animals must go through before being adopted. Currently rescue groups have been transporting dogs to Chesterfield County’s larger shelter for the quarantine. Davey said she would offer quarantine space to the local shelter if needed.
Lancaster County Animal Shelter Director Alan Williams said he is happy for any help.
“I wish them all the best in what they are doing,” he said. “If they help us any at all, we appreciate it. An animal saved is an animal saved.”
The county shelter took in 1,361 dogs over the past 12 months and enthanized 180 of them. It accepted 1,850 cats and put down 1,177.
Davey’s facility will  have much room to grow, but she said she thinks 38 rescue kennels is just right for now.
“We are not to house them (long-term). We are trying to move them out into adopted homes,” Davey said. “We have enough space for that. We need rescues to get involved to help us.”
She plans to use no more than 20 of the runs for Paws in the Panhandle’s rescues and set aside about 18 for other rescue groups to use.
“Pull fees, vaccines, spay/neuter and vetting of 20 dogs will be quite costly and will likely be all we can financially take on, at least in the beginning,” she said.
Paws has spoken to several rescue groups about using the facility, including the Lancaster SPCA.
“I am excited for them and the many animals that will have a chance for a ‘happily ever after’ thanks to Gloria and her team,” said SCPA President Diana Knight.


http://pawsinthepanhandle.com/

How to help

Anyone wishing to volunteer or apply for employment is encouraged to drop by Palmetto Kennels. The rescue group needs volunteers for adoption drives and fosters.

Paws in the Panhandle’s board meets at 6 p.m. the first Monday of every month at the Del Webb Library in Indian Land. The public is invited to attend.

Donations

Donations of any amount can be made on the website www.pawsinthepanhandle.com, on the group’s Facebook page or in person at PAWSitively Thrifty or Palmetto Kennels.

For more information, visit www.pawsinthepanhandle.com or the group’s Facebook page, or contact Davey at (803) 371-0897 (cell), (803) 285-1809 (Palmetto Kennels) or pawsintheph@aol.com. The thrift shop number is (803) 892-7297.

Want to help?
• To volunteer or apply for a job, drop by Palmetto Kennels, 222 Palmetto Kennels Lane, Lancaster. The rescue group needs volunteers for adoption drives and foster homes.
• You can donate any amount at the website www.pawsinthepanhandle.com, on the group’s Facebook page or in person at PAWSitively Thrifty, 8715 Whippoorwill Lane, Indian Land, or Palmetto Kennels.
• Paws in the Panhandle’s nonprofit board meets at 6 p.m. the first Monday of every month at the Del Webb Library, 7641 Charlotte Highway, Indian Land. The public is invited.

mandycatoe@gmail.com