79 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com our pets When animals are removed from a neglectful situation, the rescue doesn’t end when they walk through the shelter doors. In many ways, that is where the next chapter begins. Earlier this summer, Charleston Animal Society found itself taking in animals from a Mount Pleasant home as part of an ongoing animal welfare investigation. The circumstances surrounding the case are still being handled through the legal system, but for the animals involved, their needs don’t wait for a court date. Their story is part of a much larger challenge facing the organization: there are a lot of animals that need help right now. Charleston Animal Society is currently caring for an unusually high number of animals, and every new arrival requires space and resources. With our shelters already busy, even a temporary influx can have a ripple effect and that’s where our community comes in. A foster home gives an animal a break from the shelter while opening up space for another pet that needs help. It can be especially valuable for animals that need a little extra time to decompress, recover from medical treatment or simply learn what life in a home feels like. Fostering also helps the shelter staff get to know its animals in a way that isn’t always possible in a kennel. How does the dog do around other pets? Is the cat a lap cat or more independent? What kind of routine helps an animal feel most comfortable? Those details can go a long way toward eventually finding the right permanent match. Adoption, of course, is the ultimate goal. When an animal leaves the shelter for a permanent home, space opens up for another one that needs help. For families considering a new pet, choosing adoption can make a difference for more than just the animal they take home. There are additional ways to support Charleston Animal Society without bringing home a new pet, though. Donations help provide the food, supplies and veterinary treatment animals need while they are in the organization’s care. When the shelter is looking after more animals, those everyday expenses add up quickly. The animals recently brought to Charleston Animal Society from the Mount Pleasant investigation are now in a safer place. What happens next is a different kind of rescue, one that depends on people willing to foster, adopt, donate or simply spread the word. That’s the part of rescue that doesn’t always make the headlines. Getting an animal to safety is an important first step. Helping them heal, feel secure and eventually find the right home takes time and a community willing to step up. Charleston Animal Society has stepped up for these animals. Now the Lowcountry has an opportunity to do the same. Maybe that means fostering for a few weeks, adopting a new family member, making a donation or telling a friend about the need. There are many ways to help, and right now, every one of them counts. Fostering animals is one way community members can help relieve crowded shelters. BY ALLYAH HARRAR The Rescue after the Rescue
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