Free animals leave animal society animal free

When animals at the Charleston Animal Society are adopted, it’s cause for celebration. A happy family. A happy pet. An empty cage at the shelter.

When 280 animals are adopted over the course of four days, it’s cause for a major celebration — and a day off for the staff.

For the first time in the staff’s memory, the public last week adopted every available dog and cat at the CAS. Yes, this was an unusual time: The CAS offered the animals at no cost. But it demonstrates that the community values the well-being of unwanted animals.

And it demonstrates that CAS is willing to do what it takes to accomplish its mission of promoting responsible guardianship of prospective pets — and the compassionate treatment of all animals.

Sadly, it cannot be the norm. Adoption fees help CAS cover the costs of medical care, food and temporary shelter for the animals. Donations play a major role, too.

Summer generally brings in about 1,000 animals per month, so those cages won’t be empty for long. But perhaps the public’s pet friendliness will be contagious, and people in the community will be willing to cover the modest fee in order to adopt a pet of their own.

Within two weeks, more than 200 kittens and puppies in foster homes will return to the animal society for adoption.

Another 100 are waiting to be assessed and be spayed and neutered. And strays come in all the time.

CAS has the highest adoption rate and the lowest euthanasia rate in South Carolina. It is a humane and valuable asset to the area as it works to eliminate overpopulation of animals with spay/neuter and education programs and as it promotes responsible pet ownership.

And CAS is a source of immeasurable joy and welcome companionship for hundreds of people — more than 280 last week — who decide to take home a new member of the family.