We’ve written about Pets Inc. before. They’re a West Columbia animal shelter that continues to fight against hard times as it grapples with debt, a short staff, and more puppies than they know what to do with.
It’s not easy to keep a nonprofit shelter afloat when the animals outnumber helping hands and adoptive humans at the scale Pets Inc. is dealing with. It certainly doesn’t help that they were hit with hard financial times in 2012. Thankfully. they’re recovering, but they still aren’t out of the thick of it.
The reality is, not every animal is as adoptable as the tiny cute ones you can watch grow up. Some are injured or already adults, others have rough pasts. Even still, they all equally need a loving home. If you’ve been thinking about getting a cat or dog, there’s no better option that adopting a very worthy furball from a pet shelter. If adopting isn’t an option, you can always foster. By fostering an animal, you temporarily adopt the pet until the shelter has more space and can afford to bring the cat or dog back in.
Adopting an animal would take a great deal of pressure off Pets Inc., but if you’re living in a dorm and are unable to, there are other ways you can help out the shelter.
For starters, you can donate. Pets Inc.’s front office manager estimates that each animal they take in costs $150 in medical fees. With as many animals as they have, the expenses can add up quick. We know the average college student doesn’t have much disposable income, but the good news is you can volunteer your time when your wallet fails.
Pets Inc.’s two largest expenses are staff salaries and pet food. We don’t expect anyone to have some spare pet food laying around that they can donate, but volunteering is a great way to help out that’s both easy and rewarding. What college student doesn’t miss their dog (or cat) at home? If you’re living in a dorm and can’t have a pet of your own, what better way to play with an animal than to go volunteering at the shelter?
The Pets Inc. group is short-staffed and underpaid. Your efforts volunteering will go a long way in alleviating some of the stress they grapple with each and everyday. Of course, you’ll also get the chance to play with animals too. To animal-lovers, community service doesn’t get any better than this.
Not to mention, community service for a local business with a righteous cause makes USC look good too. Pets Inc. has taken on an admirable mission, and with a little assistance, we can help them get out of the rough spot they’ve fallen into. It’s in everyone’s best interest to help Pets Inc. out. The more animals off the streets, the better off the city is.
So whether you are in a position to adopt a dog, can afford to donate, or just want to volunteer and take care of some adorable cats and dogs, there’s a great deal we as a community can continue to do for Pets Inc.