CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – The only animal shelter in Dorchester County is hoping to evacuate over 300 dogs and cats before Tropical Storm Debby hits the Lowcountry.
Since Dorchester Paws was built 72 years ago in a flood zone, Director of Development and Marketing Kate Fullwood says every time it rains, they flood. With Tropical Storm Debby potentially bringing record rainfall, Fullwood says every person and pet needs to get out.
“We hope to be evacuated before the rain starts. That way, we can prep campus,” Fullwood says. “We opened at 10 today, which is a little earlier than our normal operating hours and we’ll be here until the last animal is fostered.”
Cars of people lined up outside the shelter Sunday morning in hopes of fostering some of these pets during the storm.
Fullwood says their team tries to match folks up with a pet to get the best fit, paying attention to certain qualities like a pet who might require certain medical needs or needs to be the only pet in the home.
The team will also provide families with any supplies, crates, food, litter, medications, bowls and toys.
Dorchester Paws is asking families to house their pets until Tropical Storm Debby has passed and until their facility is free of floodwater. Fullwood says it normally takes a full 24 hours after a storm ends for them to have the place clean. Dorchester Paws is expecting families to keep their pets until Friday or even through Sunday.
“We definitely ask that people evaluate their space and see if they can make room in their hearts and homes to come foster an animal during a storm,” Fullwood said. “I’m partial and think we have some of the best dogs and cats in the world here. So, it’s definitely helpful for people to come foster.”
Dorchester Paws asks folks to contact the numbers on this emergency line if anything were to occur.
Families can fill out a foster application on-site or online through this link.
Fullwood says they’re hoping all animals will be fostered by the end of the day Sunday.
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