Charleston in the Fall

Hope for the Holidays

Cold, wet noses, twitching tails, puppy dog eyes, or kitten whiskers. Whatever it is that makes us love animals is a mystery. Sadly, each year, across the country, hundreds of thousands of our furry friends wind up scared and alone in shelters. For those animals, the upcoming holiday season is their time of hope. It is not about presents, trees, lights, tinsel for them. It is about the thought of finding a loving and safe home to be a part of.
Each year at the Columbia City Animal Shelter on Shop Road, about a hundred pets are adopted during the Christmas season. Marli Drum, the superintendent of the city’s shelter, says she always gets a mad rush of people adopting right before Christmas. Unfortunately, some of these pets are brought back soon after, when the recipient realizes they can’t take care of it.
“We have a saying around here--Pets are for life, not just Christmas,” Drum emphasized. “We don’t want people adopting who can’t take care of these animals.” It certainly is a long-term commitment.
Many people have the misconception that when they adopt an animal they are picking it up off death row. “The animals that are up for adoption will be here until they are adopted,” said Drum. The shelter only puts down the animals that are unfit for adoption. Those animals have serious health or behavioral problems. So, if you are thinking about getting a pure-breed because you can’t bear the thought of taking only one of the animals from the shelter, don’t worry, the rest won’t be put down.
Often times people want pets so badly they do not consider what kind of commitment it really is or what it is going to take to make their home a safe and happy one. Here are a few other things anyone planning to adopt this season needs to know:
First - The initial cost of adoption is $68 for a cat and $73 for a dog. The Columbia City shelter provides one bag of food for the animal and you can purchase a year supply of Heartguard heartworm prevention and Frontline tick and flea prevention at a low cost. You also have to buy a collar for the animal as well as a way to transport it. Leashes for dogs and carrying crates for cats.
Second - plan to have the animal for about 15 years, spending two or three hundred dollars a year on vet bills. This may seem high, but vet bills are expensive. “It’s like having a child, if the animal is sick, you have to take it to the doctor,” said Drum. A well office visit can cost up to $180 at some places. Calling around before deciding on a vet is a good idea.
Third - Make sure you have the time. Cats are fairly self-sufficient, but keeping the litter box clean and the food and water fresh is a must. Dogs require much more work at attention. Many people get dogs and tie them to a chain in the back yard. Bad idea. The Animal Mission of the Midlands says that chaining a dog is cruel if they can not move to comfort, shelter, and food/water. Being on a chain will drive a dog crazy. Dogs need to be walked and played with daily. If you don’t have at least an hour a day to devote to your dog, you may want to think twice before getting one.
“There is nothing cuter than a puppy or kitten sitting under the Christmas tree,” Drum smiles. Christmas is a time of giving, and while the idea of a puppy for your boyfriend, or a kitten for your girlfriend is a great one, the gift giver should put a lot of thought into it before deciding on that gift.
If you have weighed all the options and still feel that a pet is the right thing for you or your loved one, there are several places to check out in the Columbia area. Pet’s Inc., in West Columbia, the Lexington County shelter, and the new facility partnered by Project Pet in Harbison on the border of Richland and Lexington counties all have animals that need good homes.
Marli Drum also wants you to know that if you want an animal, but can’t afford one at this time, the animal shelter is always looking for volunteers to come and show some love to the animals. “We have play areas in the back for people who like dogs and rooms for people who like cats.” Or, if you don’t have the time to dedicate to an animal but would like to help the shelter, Drum says it’s the little things they need the most. “Paper towels, bleach, dawn soap, things like that we are always in need of.” So, if the holiday spirit drives you, let it take you to a shelter where love is plentiful but help and companionship are needed.