SHS Response

SHS Responds to Inaccurate Allegations Regarding Stray Hold Laws

Some recent media coverage has inaccurately accused the Spartanburg Humane Society (SHS) of violating the law by giving the public three days instead of five days to reclaim their stray animals.  The SHS takes these allegations very seriously and we want to set the record straight.  The SHS has not violated the law.  We have complied with a long standing local county ordinance that required a three day hold for stray animals.  This law was enacted by County Council and has been enforced for many years by County Animal Control. 

Last week, the Attorney General issued an opinion stating in effect that local municipalities must, at minimum, follow the state law requiring a five day hold for stray animals. This opinion caused Spartanburg County leaders and the SHS to re-evaluate the local ordinance and to begin enforcing the five day hold set forth in state law.  

On Friday, September 2^nd, the SHS was notified by the Director of Animal Control that his deputies would begin placing a 5 day hold on animals, in light of the recent opinion.

This change represents a daunting challenge for both the county and the SHS.  The Spartanburg Humane Society has a very specific contractual relationship with the county.  This relationship is, and has been for many years, based on a three day hold for stray dogs and cats, which represent nearly half of the animals we handle. Our current building, which opened in 1998, was designed around the three day hold. 

Our county is now enforcing a five day stray hold and we will follow their lead for as long as we have the sheltering contract.  We join animal lovers in the hope that two extra days will lead to more animals finding homes.  We also have the unique perspective of understanding that the longer stay will certainly place a greater strain on limited capacity and resources.  We are working internally and with the county to make immediate and long term changes that will enable us to comply without disrupting our goal of finding homes for medically and behaviorally sound animals, both strays and pets surrendered by their owners.   

Initial media attention and resulting public speculation has focused solely on stray animals who may have been euthanized after 3 days.  We would also point out that thousands of stray animals have been adopted on day 4 as well.  Our efforts every day of the year are focused on maximizing opportunities for healthy and safe companions to find loving homes.  We invite you to visit our adoption floor, our adoption centers at PETCO and PetSmart, and view our website.  We guarantee you will meet and hopefully fall in love with many wonderful animals, including strays who have long since passed their legal holding period.