This Giving Tuesday, Charleston Animal Society is thrilled to announce an extraordinary $100,000 matching gift from anonymous “Friends of the Animals,” who hope to inspire the entire community to give generously to animals in need. Every donation made on Tuesday, December 2 will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000, doubling the impact for vulnerable animals who depend on lifesaving care every day.
Give at CharlestonAnimalSociety.org/
This remarkable act of generosity comes at a critical moment. According to a comprehensive giving study from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, only 3% of all charitable giving in the United States supports nonprofit organizations that help animals. Charleston Animal Society hopes this matching challenge will shine a much-needed spotlight on animals who often receive the smallest share of America’s philanthropic giving.
“Giving Tuesday really is the launchpad for the season of giving for us,” said Charleston Animal Society President and CEO Joe Elmore, CAWA. “We are so fortunate to have people in the Lowcountry offer this generous $100,000 matching gift to inspire all of us to help save thousands of animals — and have the donations go twice as far.”
The Animal Society shelters more than 90% of the animals in Charleston and Berkeley Counties, while also helping thousands more across South Carolina. It proudly sets the standard for animal welfare in the Lowcountry as the first and only fully accredited shelter and veterinary clinic, and the only shelter in Charleston County in full compliance with state law.
After establishing the first No Kill County in the Southeast, the Animal Society has continued to break national and global records in animal care and lifesaving. Today, it is recognized internationally as a model for innovative, effective, and compassionate sheltering.
A LIFE TRANSFORMED: LADY THE HORSE
Your Giving Tuesday gift helps animals like Lady, a horse who came to Charleston Animal Society this summer in heartbreaking condition. Severely neglected and dangerously underweight, her ribs and spine were visible. She was also grieving the loss of her lifelong equine companion, who had recently passed from terminal cancer. Weak, frightened, and alone, Lady needed urgent medical care, nourishment, and compassion.
Because of supporters like you, Lady was taken in by a Charleston Animal Society foster family experienced in equine rehabilitation. Slowly, she began to eat again. She regained her strength — over 350 pounds — and her gentle spirit emerged once more. And just recently, Lady’s journey came full circle: she was adopted into a new home, complete with a pasture mate named Dan, who now shares an entire field with her.
Lady’s transformation was only possible because of donors like you.
CHARLESTON ANIMAL SOCIETY’S IMPACT
Last year, the organization:
- Cared for more than 35,000 animals
- Spayed or neutered over 15,000
- Adopted more than 5,000 animals into loving homes
- Taught compassion to over 11,000 children
As of July 1st of this year, the Animal Society has taken on responsibility for animals in Berkeley County through a partnership with Berkeley County government.
YOUR GIFT DOUBLES FOR ANIMALS IN NEED
Every day, Charleston Animal Society provides food, shelter, veterinary care, cruelty intervention, emergency rescue, and rehabilitation for animals like Lady. Yet the demand for help continues to rise — and so do the costs of care.
That’s why this $100,000 Giving Tuesday matching challenge is so important. When you give:
- $25 becomes $50 to vaccinate twice as many animals
- $50 becomes $100 to provide double the amount of lifesaving medication
- $100 becomes $200 to support emergency medical treatment
- $500 becomes $1,000 to change the future for homeless and abused animals across the Lowcountry
BE THE REASON AN ANIMAL GETS A SECOND CHANCE
Animals can’t ask for help on their own — but you can be their champion. This Giving Tuesday, your compassion will go twice as far, thanks to the anonymous Friends of the Animals committed to inspiring kindness throughout our community.
Please join Charleston Animal Society this Giving Tuesday. Make a matched gift that helps save lives. Donate at CharlestonAnimalSociety.org/