Struggling lowcountry families are giving up their pets

Meet Pebbles--an 11 year old, purebred mutt who has fallen victim to the recession. After living her whole life with her owner, she was surrendered to Pet Helpers Adoption Center last week after the woman who owned her lost her home to foreclosure. Now Pebbles lives in a kennel and is waiting to find a forever home at Pet Helpers Adoption Center, located at 1447 Folly Road.

“Since the economy tanked and people have cut back on expenses, unfortunately one of those expenses is their pet,” stated Suzanne Carr, Pet Helpers Executive Director. “Due to the economy, Pet Helpers’ number one reason for animal intakes right now is owner surrender.”

In animal shelters around the area, the story is the same. With the worsening economy comes an increase in animals abandoned or surrendered by owners no longer able to care for them. Pet Helpers Adoption Center has begun to see people mention foreclosure as the reason they're giving up their pets. “It’s either people can’t afford their animal or they are moving and can’t take them with," said Carr.

In efforts to help owners keep their pets in these hard times, Pet Helpers has an animal food bank where they offer free dog/cat food when it’s available for owners in need. The food bank is built solely from donations. When they have the food, they give it to those who need it.

“Hopefully our pet-food bank will help families keep their furry four-legged family members until we get out of this mess,” stated Kristin Kifer, Pet Helpers Operations Manager. “Times are tough, money is tight, we don’t want to see people giving up their animal due to lack of food.”

If you can’t adopt but you still would like to help, please consider a tax deductible food or money donation to Pet Helpers and become a Pet Helper Partner in saving lives and making a difference for our animals.

Pet Helpers is a private, 501c 3 non-profit rescue and adoption facility that serves communities across the Lowcountry. They currently have approximately 180 cats/kittens and 44 dogs/puppies all in need of a loving home. Their mission is to end the euthanasia of all adoptable cats and dogs.

Pet Helpers is located at 1447 Folly Road on James Island. They are open Monday – Friday, 11 am – 6 pm. Saturday 11 am – 5 pm and we are closed on Sundays/Holidays. For more information about Pet Helpers visit www.pethelpers.org or call 843.795.1110.