This collaboration builds on a long-standing, positive relationship between Charleston Animal Society and Berkeley County
MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (Wednesday, May 28, 2025) — In a bold step to enhance animal welfare services and prepare for regional growth, Charleston Animal Society has entered into a partnership with Berkeley County to manage operations at the Berkeley Animal Center. The Berkeley County Council voted to approve the partnership at the county council meeting on May 27, 2025. The new partnership will take effect July 1, 2025.
“This collaboration builds on a long-standing, positive relationship between Charleston Animal Society and Berkeley County,” said Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb. “With a shared commitment to animal welfare and community service, the partnership reflects more than a year and a half of careful planning and discussion.”
The move comes at a critical time for the tri-county area, where rapid population growth is placing increased pressure on animal services.
“Our region is growing fast, and that includes a rising population of dogs and cats,” said Charleston Animal Society President and CEO Joe Elmore. “By joining forces with Berkeley County, we can better serve our communities, reduce duplication of services, and respond more efficiently to the needs of animals and residents alike.”
Charleston Animal Society already provides services to more than 2,000 Berkeley County residents each year. This partnership allows both organizations to utilize shared veterinary and sheltering expertise more effectively—especially important during the ongoing national shortage of veterinarians. Combining efforts will streamline services, reduce confusion in communities that span multiple counties, and create a single, cohesive system for animal welfare across county lines.
TRANSITION BEGINS JULY 1
Charleston Animal Society will assume the current operating budget for Berkeley Animal Center, which stands at approximately $1.6 million for Fiscal Year 2026. By consolidating efforts, the organizations anticipate a reduction in duplicated services, leading to smarter spending and improved outcomes for animals and residents.
The current staff of Berkeley Animal Center will transition to become Charleston Animal Society employees, operating under Charleston Animal Society’s policies and procedures. Volunteers will also be welcomed into the Charleston Animal Society family, with all continuing their vital roles in the care and adoption of animals in the community.
“We are proud of the team at Berkeley Animal Center and value their dedication,” said Elmore. “This partnership is not about replacing—it’s about enhancing what already works and building on it.” Charleston Animal Society built the first No Kill county in the Southeast and will work toward that in Berkeley County.
While the facility will continue to be known as the Berkeley Animal Center for the foreseeable future, any potential name or branding changes will be communicated publicly, along with any updates regarding operating hours or social media channels.
Animal control operations will continue in close coordination with local Animal Control Agencies across Berkeley County. Charleston Animal Society will work with these partners to ensure a smooth and effective transition. Stray animal handling and in-shelter veterinary care will continue to meet or exceed the national Association of Shelter Veterinarians guidelines for standards of care in animal shelters.
A WIN FOR ANIMALS
A strong emphasis will be placed on maintaining and growing key programs like the Trap-Vaccinate-Alter-Return (TVAR) initiative, which has been highly successful in managing community cat populations. With Charleston Animal Society’s enhanced spay-neuter capacity, the goal is to mitigate overpopulation and ensure a healthier future for animals throughout the region.
“This partnership unites the largest and fourth largest animal shelters in South Carolina—Charleston Animal Society and Berkeley Animal Center—and has the potential to serve as a model for other communities across the state exploring public-private collaborations,” said Cribb.
“We need to applaud this forward-thinking county council for creating a more responsive, unified, and effective approach to animal care,” said Elmore. “This is a win for taxpayers, a win for our communities, and most of all, a win for the animals.”
Charleston Animal Society invites the community to follow updates on this exciting partnership and to continue supporting the mission of preventing cruelty to animals and promoting the humane treatment of all.
INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
About Charleston Animal Society
Since 1874, the mission of Charleston Animal Society has always been the prevention of cruelty to animals. Recognized as an international model of lifesaving success, the Animal Society focuses on three impacts: ending the unnecessary euthanasia, overpopulation, and cruelty of animals. Last year, the Animal Society cared for over 35,000 animals, spayed or neutered over 15,000 animals, adopted over 5,000 animals, and taught compassion to over 11,000 children. As South Carolina’s largest lifesaving organization, animal organizations from across the state and beyond seek guidance and support from the Animal Society, whose guiding principle is that it has a disproportionate responsibility to others; if there is an animal in need anywhere that the Animal Society can impact, it will. With 13 consecutive years of exemplary independent financial audits, the Animal Society remains the top-rated nonprofit organization in South Carolina. For more information, visit CharlestonAnimalSociety.org.
About Berkeley Animal Center
Berkeley Animal Center provides shelter and adoption services for Berkeley County’s homeless pets. The center also runs community outreach programs and works to reunite lost pets with their families.
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-Prepared by Charleston Animal Society-