Adoptable dogs overcrowding animal shelters, Horry County, SC

The Horry County Animal Care Center is overflowing with adoptable animals, as more than 130 animals have been rescued from local storage situations since the beginning of August, according to Mikayla Moscov, the county’s public information officer. of Harry.

“On Thursday, August 4, 2022, an animal survey brought 44 dogs, 13 chickens, 12 ducks, 1 mini-horse and 1 goat to the shelter,” she wrote in a statement.

According to a police report, law enforcement was told a couple were operating an unlicensed grooming business. They received multiple citations for animal neglect and one for operating a business without a license.

Moscov also said that on “Monday, August 8, 2022, another investigation turned up 59 dogs, all emaciated, dehydrated and neglected.”

According to a police report, the 59 dogs came from the woods near Merrit Road and Fowler Road in Conway and some were in a pen. The report also noted that the dogs had no access to food, water or shelter and that several were sick or malnourished.

The care center was unable to house every animal, so 31 of them are temporarily staying at the Tamroc kennel. According to Capt. Justin Wyatt of the Horry County Police Department, who is also the director of the Horry County Animal Care Center, that’s another financial burden: renting space from Tamroc.

“We were lucky that Tamroc was kind enough to rent us an entire wing of their facility for a very reasonable price,” he said. “My goal is to get enough animals adopted in both places so we can get rid of here, because it’s a financial burden on Tamroc and on the county.”

Wyatt stressed that the Horry County Animal Care Center would not euthanize an animal unless an animal suffered a fatal injury or illness.

“In the next few days, after grooming, neutering, dental work, vaccinations and microchipping, the shelter anticipates that most of the animals from last week’s case will be available for adoption. Among these animals are a number of small dogs, mostly poodles,” Moscov wrote in the statement.

To adopt, visit Tamroc Kennels, Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adoption fees are waived for many animals, but donations of money or pet supplies are encouraged.

“Community members who have a heart to adopt or foster are urged to do so now,” Moscov said.

This story was originally published August 13, 2022 5:00 a.m.