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Current Programs
Adoptions
The City of Columbia Animal Shelter houses unwanted animals for all of Richland County. The shelter is burdened with, by far, the majority of unwanted animals in the Midlands. While others turn animals away, the Columbia shelter never does. The Animal Mission and Shelter staff make every effort to promote adoption of as many animals as possible – over 2,000 annually. But there are many more which don't find forever homes due to our huge pet overpopulation problem.
Each year, The Animal Mission pays for free/discounted spay/neuter operations for residents of Richland County. Coupons are distributed via City of Columbia water bills once each year, or can be picked up from the City of Columbia Animal Shelter.
Proceeds from all fundraising, Paw Path bricks, memberships and contributions go toward funding this spay/neuter program. Over the last four years, The Mission has paid over $512,850 for 11,281 spay/neuter operations in Richland County.
Free spay/neuter coupons were made available at local county shelters or animal control agencies in the four-county area and were redeemable at participating local vets for a free spay or neuter procedure for cats and dogs.
The Animal Mission also kicked off a spay/neuter education campaign in the four counties. WLTX TV partnered with the Mission to blanket the Midlands with information and news about the program and the importance of spaying and neutering of pets. Newspaper ads and billboards were also used spread the word.
Within two weeks of announcing the program, all the coupons were distributed and local vets were busy performing free spay/neuter procedures.
"We are so grateful to Austin Meyer," said Jim "Soni" Sonefeld, Animal Mission board president. "There aren't enough homes for all the stray animals in our communities. Spaying and neutering is the only way to reduce pet overpopulation and euthanasia of unwanted animals."
Richland County Spay/Neuter Program
The answer to pet overpopulation is not as simple as promoting adoptions from shelters. It is an active and aggressive spay/neuter program. An unspayed cat, one mate and all their kittens combined can produce 420,000 cats in just seven years. An unspayed dog, one mate and all their puppies combined can produce 67,000 dogs in just 6 years.Each year, The Animal Mission pays for free/discounted spay/neuter operations for residents of Richland County. Coupons are distributed via City of Columbia water bills once each year, or can be picked up from the City of Columbia Animal Shelter.
Proceeds from all fundraising, Paw Path bricks, memberships and contributions go toward funding this spay/neuter program. Over the last four years, The Mission has paid over $512,850 for 11,281 spay/neuter operations in Richland County.
The Meyer Initiative
In the summer of 2010, The Animal Mission was able to expand its free spay/neuter program into Kershaw, Calhoun, Orangeburg and Fairfield Counties, thanks to a generous $100,000 donation from Columbia businessman Austin Meyer.Free spay/neuter coupons were made available at local county shelters or animal control agencies in the four-county area and were redeemable at participating local vets for a free spay or neuter procedure for cats and dogs.
The Animal Mission also kicked off a spay/neuter education campaign in the four counties. WLTX TV partnered with the Mission to blanket the Midlands with information and news about the program and the importance of spaying and neutering of pets. Newspaper ads and billboards were also used spread the word.
Within two weeks of announcing the program, all the coupons were distributed and local vets were busy performing free spay/neuter procedures.
"We are so grateful to Austin Meyer," said Jim "Soni" Sonefeld, Animal Mission board president. "There aren't enough homes for all the stray animals in our communities. Spaying and neutering is the only way to reduce pet overpopulation and euthanasia of unwanted animals."
Lexington County Spay/Neuter Grant
In March 2010, The Animal Mission made a special $20,000 grant to Lexington County for a targeted spay/neuter campaign. Lexington County Animal Control officers distributed free spay/neuter coupons in areas of the county with high animal birth rates. Hopefully, the grant will lead to an ongoing spay/neuter program in Lexington County.Fairfield County Cat Room
As we all know, cats and dogs don't always mix. That's why the Animal Mission is stepping up to help the Fairfield County Animal Shelter in Winnsboro raise funds to create a separate room where cats can await adoption. Currently, cats and dogs waiting for permanent homes are all housed together in one space. If you'd like to help build the cat room at the Fairfield Adoption Center, click on the "Contribute" button and make a contribution. Be sure to put " Fairfield" in the block that says "In Honor Of."Humane Education
Shelter Tours: The Columbia Animal Shelter offers free, pre-arranged tours for school and other groups. Learn about responsible pet ownership while touring the shelter's adoption facility. Tour the shelter's Barnyard where farm animals and more exotic pets live permanently. Remember to pack apples, carrots and bread to feed the barnyard residents. To schedule a tour, call the Columbia Animal Shelter at 776-PETS (7387) several weeks in advance.
Humane Speakers Bureau: Abuse and neglect are found throughout our city, but we believe humane education can help to change attitudes that benefit children and adults as well as animals. Speakers are available for church, school, civic, neighborhood, service and other organizations. Call 803-776-PETS (7387) for your group today.
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