FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

We have heard from many people who are confused about the recent changes implemented by Spartanburg County Council.  We have listed answers to the most frequently asked questions below.

Click on the links for the answers to your questions:

• Is the SHS closing?
• Do you still have animals?
• Why should we support the SHS if you no longer accept Spartanburg County's stray animals?
• What do I do if I have a complaint about a stray animal?
• I've found a stray animal in Spartanburg County.  What am I supposed to do now?
• I am dissatisfied with Spartanburg County Council's answer to managing Spartanburg County's stray animals.  How do I voice my concerns?
• I found a stray and called animal control.  They cannot come to pick up the animal for several days and I cannot keep it.  What do I do?
• What can we do to help?
• What animals can we bring to you?
• How are you able to still take in stray animals from the city of Spartanburg and the city of Greer?
• What services do you still offer?
• Has the quality of care changed?
• If I live within Spartanburg County, can I still utilize your services?
• Is the wellness clinic still open?
• Are you still able to spay or neuter cats (including feral/wild cats) if you live within Spartanburg County?
• What happened to the animals you were holding before the county stopped bringing you their stray animals?
• What are you doing to get more animals adopted?
• Do you still need volunteers?
• Do you work with rescues?
• Will there still be cats available for adoption at PETCO and PetSmart?
• If you were going to part ways with the county, what difference does it make if you part ways now?
• I lost my pet.  Where do I go to look for her?
• I can no longer keep my pet.  Will you charge me to turn it in?
• Why don't you charge pet owners to give up or surrender their pets?  Isn't it their fault that they are giving up their animal?
• My question isn't here
  

 Q.  Is the SHS closing?

The SHS has remained open and will continue to remain open.   Housing and care of Spartanburg County's stray animals was only one part of our work.  We are still here for thousands of pets whose owners can no longer keep them, including all areas of Spartanburg County, as well as stray animals found in the city limits of Spartanburg and Greer.  We still have animals available for adoption and we still offer a range of services for pets and their people. 
Back to questions

 

Q.  Do you still have animals?

Yes!  We still have many wonderful animals available for adoption.  Please visit www.spartanburghumane.org/adoptme  to meet your new best friend!
Back to questions

Q. Why should we support the SHS if you no longer accept Spartanburg County's stray animals?

Spartanburg County's strays only represent a portion of animals in need in this county. We are still helping pets whose owners can no longer keep them, including all areas of Spartanburg County, as well as stray animals found in the city limits of Spartanburg and Greer.    These numbers represent a total of nearly 7,000 animals each year. 

At the same time, the SHS continues to offer services that support pets and people that aim to prevent animals from becoming stray, neglected, and unwanted.  These services include low cost spay and neuter surgeries, low cost microchipping, low cost vaccine clinics, affordable veterinary care for low-income pet owners, dog training classes to help build stronger relationships between pets and owners, and humane education programs that help raise awareness about responsible pet care. 

Your support will help us to provide excellent care to the thousands of animals who still rely on us. Your support will also allow us to continue and to expand our proactive services.
Back to questions

Q. What do I do if I have a complaint about a stray animal?

If the stray animal is in the Spartanburg City limits, call:  864-582-1558
If the stray animal is in the Greer City limits, call: 864-848-5363
If the stray animal is in Spartanburg County, call:  864-596-3582
If you are uncertain about the location of a stray, the dispatcher for each of the agencies will help you determine jurisdiction.  Because call volume is lower in the cities of Spartanburg and Greer, call these agencies first if you suspect the animal is in their jurisdiction.
Back to questions

Q. I've found a stray animal in Spartanburg County.  What am I supposed to do now?

Spartanburg County Animal Control has instructed the SHS to tell citizens to call them at 864-596-3582 to schedule a time for officers to pick up the animal.

Animal Control has further instructed the SHS to inform citizens that they will not pick up strays on the weekend.
Back to questions

Q.  I am dissatisfied with Spartanburg County Council's answer to managing Spartanburg County's stray animals.  How do I voice my concerns?

Call or write your Spartanburg County Council Member and tell them you would like for them to come up with a better solution for the County's strays. 
Jeff Horton (chairman):  jhorton@spartanburgcounty.org or 864-583-0963
Michael Brown (district 1): mbrown@spartanburgcounty.org or 864-573-1003
O'neal Mintz (district 2): omintz@spartanburgcounty.org or 864-585-4128
David Britt (district 3): dbritt@spartanburgcounty.org or 864-595-3314 ext. 264
Jane Hall (district 4): jhall@spartanburgcounty.org or 864-433-8406
Dale Culbreth (district 5): ddculbreth@spartanburgcounty.org or 864-472-6382
Roger Nutt (district 6): rnutt@spartanburgcounty.org or 864-587-6185
Back to questions

Q. I found a stray and called animal control.  They cannot come to pick up the animal for several days and I cannot keep it.  What do I do?

We have heard from several county residents who are frustrated by Animal Control's response time and by calls to Animal Control that are not returned.  If you are frustrated by a lack of response, contact your County Council Representative.  County Council is ultimately responsible for the effectiveness of their services.
Back to questions

Q. What can we do to help?

Help animals by spreading the word about the many affordable and life-saving programs the SHS offers our community.  As more people utilize our services, fewer animals will need shelter.

• Can you provide financial assistance to help fund our programs and services? Please donate today:  www.spartanburghumane.org/donate or 864-583-4805, ext. 118
• Do you know of a pet who needs to be spayed or neutered?  Spread the word about low-cost spay and neuter surgeries at the SHS Veterinary Clinic:  www.spartanburghumane.org/nolitters  or 864-583-4805, ext. 115
• Can you provide a lifetime commitment for one of our many wonderful pets waiting for their forever home?  Adopt from the SHS:  www.spartanburghumane.org/adoptme or 864-583-4805, ext. 101
• Do you know of a pet who could benefit from professional obedience training?  The SHS Good Dog Academy offers affordable and effective training  led by the area's only Certified Professional Dog Trainer:  www.spartanburghumane.org/training or 864-583-4805, ext. 109
• Do you know of a struggling pet owner who wants to provide medical care but worries about finances?   Find out more about our low cost veterinary services: www.spartanburghumane.org/clinic or 864-583-4805, ext. 115
• Do you love animals and have extra time on your hands?  Find out some of the many ways you can get involved to help animals through our volunteer program: www.spartanburghumane.org/volunteer or 864-583-4805, ext. 108.
• Do you know of a feral cat colony that could benefit from our spay and neuter services?  Learn more about how we are working to help feral cats:  www.spartanburghumane.org/feral-cats.php or 864-583-4805, ext. 115.
• Do you want to help raise awareness of about responsible pet care?  Invite our Humane Education Department to deliver one of many interactive and engaging presentations to your classroom or community group, or schedule a tour of the SHS:  www.spartanburghumane.org/education  or 864-583-4805, ext. 113.

Back to questions

Q. What animals can we bring to you?

The SHS is still accepting stray animals from the cities of Spartanburg and Greer.  We are also accepting pets whose owners can no longer care for them regardless of where they are from within Spartanburg County. 
Back to questions

Q. How are you able to still take in stray animals from the city of Spartanburg and the city of Greer? 

The cities of Spartanburg and Greer each have their own animal control departments that are separate from Spartanburg County.  Greer and Spartanburg City Animal Control Officers enforce animal control laws within their city limits.  The cities have individual contracts with the SHS to house and care for stray animals picked up within their jurisdiction.  These contracts have not been impacted by the County's decision to take stray animals to Greenville County. 
Back to questions

Q. What services do you still offer?

We still offer a variety of services for pets and people.  These services are still available to all residents of Spartanburg County:

• Adoption of wonderful dogs, cats, and other critters like rabbits, and small pocket pets
• Low cost spay and neuter
• Affordable veterinary care for adopted animals and for pets of low income owners
• Monthly vaccine clinics
• Low cost permanent microchip ID
• Affordable group dog training classes and private lessons at the Good Dog Academy
• Humane Education programs for all ages

The only service that has changed is lost and found services for Spartanburg County's stray animals.
Back to questions

Q. Has the quality of care changed?

No, the quality of care for all of our services has remained the same.  The SHS remains committed to providing the highest quality of care to animals in our shelter and our community.
Back to questions

Q. If I live within Spartanburg County, can I still utilize your services?

All SHS services are still available for Spartanburg County residents.  The only change is that we no longer house Spartanburg County's stray animals.
Back to questions

Q. Is the wellness clinic still open?

Yes! Our low cost veterinary clinic is still scheduling appointments for adopted animals and for pets of owners who are unemployed and who meet low income guidelines.
Back to questions

Q. Are you still able to spay or neuter cats (including feral/wild cats) if you live within Spartanburg County?

Yes!  Thanks to PetSmart Charities, we are still offering spay or neuter for Spartanburg County cats for the low price of $15.  Low income cat owners in Spartanburg County can qualify to spay or neuter their cat for just $5.
Back to questions

Q. What happened to the animals you were holding before the county stopped bringing you their stray animals?

The stray animals brought to us prior to November 1st remained in our care. By November 6th, all will have completed their stray hold and will be evaluated for adoption.
Back to questions

Q. What are you doing to get more animals adopted?

The SHS works hard to place as many medically and behaviorally healthy animals into responsible homes as possible.  We are committed to increasing the quantity and quality of adoptions.  Hopefully you have noticed some of our more recent efforts:

• The price for cat adoptions was reduced from $74 to $49 in 2011
• Amazing (and talented) volunteers and dedicated staff are working very hard to capture the beauty and personality of our animals through photos, descriptions, and videos.  Check out the glamour shots at www.spartanburghumane.org/adoptme and see videos of featured pets at www.spartanburghumane.org/featuredpets!
• We continue to find new venues where we can promote SHS animals.  Future pets can be met at our shelter on Dexter Road, at offsite adoption centers in the Spartanburg PETCO and PetSmart, online 24 hours a day, at least once a week in the Spartanburg Herald Journal, during the noon news on WSPA, on Your Carolina, on www.petango.com, www.petfinder.com, on Facebook, and on YouTube. 
• We also work with adoption partners including smaller placement groups and shelters in other parts of the country to find homes for SHS animals.

Back to questions

Q.  Do you still need volunteers?

Yes!  We always need more volunteers. Opportunities include working to improve the stay of animals in our shelter, helping to care for cats at our offsite locations, helping with community outreach events, assisting our Humane Education Coordinator in schools and with in-shelter programs, helping staff at fundraising events, and much more!  Learn more at www.spartanburghumane/volunteer.  You can complete an application online, or at the shelter.
Back to questions

Q. Do you work with rescues?

Yes! We work with pure breed rescues and all breed rescues both locally and out of state and are always looking to find more groups to partner with.  We also work with animal shelters in other parts of the country to place SHS animals. 
Back to questions

Q. Will there still be cats available for adoption at PETCO and PetSmart?

Yes!  We are committed to continuing both of these offsite adoption programs.  If you are interested in helping, please consider applying to become an SHS volunteer.
Back to questions

Q. If you were going to part ways with the county, what difference does it make if you part ways now?

The SHS proposed a gradual, reasonable, responsible, and humane approach to a transition that could lead to two strong programs:  a strong animal care and control program that gets stray animals off of the streets, and a strong humane society with programs focused on adoptions and progressive services aimed at preventing homelessness, neglect, and suffering.   The abrupt parting forced by Council's decision has left the majority of Spartanburg County's stray animals without service.
Back to questions

Q. I lost my pet.  Where do I go to look for her?

If you lost your pet in or near the Spartanburg city limits, we encourage you to look at the SHS shelter on Dexter Road. 

If you live in Spartanburg County, and not within the city limits of Greer or Spartanburg, you may look for your animal online at: https://picasaweb.google.com/116619914942665813714
http://www.greenvillecounty.org/acs/lost_found.asp and visit the Greenville County Animal Care shelter at:
328 Furman Hall Rd.
Greenville, SC 29609
(864) 467-3950

If you lost your pet in or near Greer city limits, within Spartanburg County, please  visit both the Spartanburg Humane Society and Greer Animal Control.  If you live in or near the city of Greer within Greenville County visit the Greenville County Animal Care Shelter as well as Greer Animal Control.  You can reach Greer Animal Control to schedule a time to look for your pet at their facilities at: (864) 848-5363.

No matter where you live, there are other important steps to follow when your pet goes missing.  Learn more at www.spartanburghumane.org/lostandfound.
Back to questions

Q. I can no longer keep my pet.  Will you charge me to turn it in?

If you can no longer keep your pet, there is no fee to turn it in to the SHS.  We do ask for a donation.   While we may eventually need to request a small fee for service, it is our goal to avoid this for as long as possible. 
Back to questions

Q.  Why don't you charge pet owners to give up or surrender their pets?  Isn't it their fault that they are giving up their animal?

The SHS is concerned that pet owners who cannot afford to pay to leave their animal at the shelter will decide to abandon their animal instead.  In this way, a pet can quickly become a stray.  It is more important than ever to prevent this from happening.
Back to questions

If you have additional questions, please give us the opportunity to answer them.  E-mail us and we will respond as soon as possible.