Each month during the off-season, the Charleston RiverDogs close the office to complete a day of volunteer service with a local nonprofit organization. Since October, the RiverDogs have worked with Lowcountry Orphan Relief, Charleston Habitat for Humanity, and Feline Freedom Coalition. On December 17th, the RiverDogs staff spent the day volunteering with The Charleston Animal Society.
The team met with Staci Bennett, the Director of Volunteer Programs and Events, to tour the facility and learn more about the work of CAS, before getting started. Throughout the morning, the RiverDogs staff assisted the CAS staff by washing windows, cleaning cages, preparing fresh litter boxes, helping with cat enrichment procedures, and exercising dogs. “It is always gives you a good feeling to help to improve the lives those less fortunate than ourselves. It is especially rewarding to help animals, that have no means of helping themselves, and you know will give a lifetime of love and affection to you in return,” commented Sarah Ward, RiverDogs Community Relations Director.
The Charleston Animal Society is a non-profit, open-admissions animal shelter serving Charleston County, where no animal is ever turned away. The mission of the organization is to promote responsible guardianship of domestic animals and advocate the compassionate treatment of all animals. In order to accomplish this mission, CAS strives to: promote temporary sanctuary to lost, abandoned, or abused domestic animals; promote adoption; provide medical care to indigent pets; eliminate overpopulation of animals with aggressive spay/neuter and education programs; provide education about responsible per guardianship; reunite lost pets and their owners; and reduce cruelty through stronger ordinances, investigations, partnerships, and education. For more information on how to donate, volunteer, or adopt a pet, please visit www.charlestonanimalsociety.org.
Next month, the Charleston RiverDogs staff will spend a day beautifying their own neighborhood by planting bulbs with the Charleston Parks Conservancy and the Park Angels at Brittlebank Park.