205 N. Brooks St., Kingstree, SC 29556

843-355-9312

History of Williamsburg Animal Shelter

Williamsburg Animal Shelter is a non-profit, low-kill organization dedicated to:

• Finding loving, permanent homes for adoptable animals.

• Rescuing abandoned and unwanted animals in Williamsburg County, SC.

The Williamsburg Animal Shelter (WAS) began in November 1999, when a group of concerned citizens met to discuss the health and welfare of the domestic animal population in Williamsburg County with the possibility of establishing a shelter. Realizing that our County's only means of animal control was for Williamsburg County's Environmental Services to pick up on a complaint basis only, hold for three days and euthanize if unclaimed, we moved into action.

In our first year, we signed up approximately 100 members and spent $1225 on additional housing for cats (which was previously non-existent) and expanding the current pens for dogs by adding two cages and dividing some of the larger existing cages. We also obtained a contract with KalKan in Columbia, SC for donations of our dry food needs.

Since August of 2001, W.A.S. and Williamsburg County Council have had a written agreement in which a volunteer W.A.S. Board of Directors, elected by the shelter's membership, established the policies and operational guidelines that are taken from the American Humane Society for insuring the quality of care and disposition of our domestic animals. Williamsburg County Animal Control administers these procedures under the supervision of W.A.S. and the County Supervisor.

We are still learning more each day! Every day there comes a new challenge that we must accomplish.