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 Susan G. Komen For the Cure and Lowcountry Food Bank. On December 20, the RiverDogs staff spent the day volunteering at the Pet Helpers Adoption Center.

The team met with Erica Marcus, Volunteer and Off-Site Adoption Coordinator, to tour the facility and learn more about the work of Pet Helpers, before getting started. Throughout the morning, the RiverDogs staff assisted the Pet Helpers staff by unloading and washing the event van, raking leaves off the walking trails, preparing dog treats, and playing and walking the adoptable dogs. “I really enjoy our Staff Volunteer Days. It’s a very rewarding experience and a great way to really make a difference in our community,” commented Sean Houston, RiverDogs Director of Media Relations.

Pet Helpers is a private, non-profit 501c 3 Adoption Center and Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic that serves communities across the Lowcountry. Their mission is to end the euthanasia of all adoptable cats and dogs by keeping all animals until adopted; providing low cost spay/neuter surgeries; offering humane education programs; pursuing animal cruelty prosecution; and initiating animal welfare legislation. For more information on how to donate, volunteer, or adopt a pet, please visit www.pethelpers.org

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 17^th, 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.

‘Dogs helping Cats

As a means of giving back to the community, the Charleston RiverDogs close the office one day each month during the off-season to complete a day of volunteer service with a local nonprofit organization. On November 12^th, eleven members of the Charleston RiverDogs front office staff spent the day in Ravenel, volunteering with Feline Freedom Coalition, Inc. A truckload of sand was delivered to the site, to be dispersed to three of the outdoor cat houses.  The team worked together to shovel the sand into buckets and wheelbarrows, then the sand was spread out into the pens.

Sales manager, Jake Terrell, said, “It always feels good to work as a team toward a common goal, even if it is as simple as moving sand.  You can have fun while trying to figure out creative ways to finish the project, and by throwing sand at your co-workers!”

Together, the RiverDogs staff was able to move all of the sand to complete the project in hours as opposed to the months it had taken the organization in years past.

Feline Freedom Coalition, Inc. is a nonprofit organization providing services and support to individuals and community groups interested in using TNR (trap, neuter, return or re-home) to effectively control the overpopulation of free roaming cats in Charleston County.  The organization provides education and information to the public, property decision makers and governmental agencies through the TNR Community Hotline and TNR training programs.  In addition, volunteers facilitate the work of caretakers involved in colony management and support the adoption of feral cats and kittens through Petsmart’s Adoption Outreach Program.