Please help save the lives of these animals

Dear Editor:

Now that summer is here, the Cherokee County Animal Shelter has many wonderful dogs, cats, puppies and kittens looking for good homes.

Many, many animals are being destroyed every week because they have nowhere to go. All of our foster homes are at capacity and we are in desperate need of more volunteers willing to take in an animal or two until we can find them a forever home. We are also asking for donations of kennels, new or used, and monetary donations to help purchase kennels. All donations are now taxdeductible so please help us provide housing for these animals until they can be adopted.

As you may be aware, Saving Gaffney Pets Rescue (SGPR) is working with the Humane Society of Cherokee County (HSCC) in order to improve the lives of homeless animals in our county. SGPR continues to pull animals from the shelter to find them homes and the HSCC is focused on spaying and neutering to prevent unwanted animals from ever entering the shelter. The only way to stop the large numbers of animals from entering the shelter is for citizens to STOP PRODUCING UNWANTED LITTERS BY SPAYING THEIR PETS. The cost is very reasonable and low-income families may qualify to have their pets spayed at no cost. Transportation can even be arranged so there is no excuse not to have a pet spayed or neutered.

As an update, in recent months some positive changes have been made at the animal shelter, including that the "heartsticks" have stopped and euthanasia is being performed by licensed veterinarians.

Since Mike Vassey has been appointed interim shelter manager the appearance of the shelter has improved greatly. The grass has been cut around the outside of the building and the interior has been cleaned and is being painted.

There is still a lot to be done but thanks to the community's support progress is being made. Thank you to all who supported the efforts to make these much-needed, long-overdue changes happen.

If you are looking for a pet, please check the animal shelter before you buy from a pet store or breeder. SAVE A LIFE! Andrea Allison Gilfillan Saving Gaffney Pets Rescue (864) 303-7753 Humane Society of Cherokee County (864) 487-4757 savinggaffneypetsrescue.com