One year after entering an agreement to manage Berkeley County’s animal shelter, Charleston Animal Society presented results to Berkeley County Council showing a 43% reduction in euthanasia and more than 600 additional animals saved during the partnership’s first year.
Charleston Animal Society Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Aldwin Roman told county leaders that the results cover the period since the organization assumed shelter operations July 1, 2025.
“The most important thing I can tell this council tonight is that 600 more animals are alive today that would not have been alive under the previous year’s outcomes,” Roman said. “Euthanasia dropped 43% in our first year — dog euthanasia fell 15% and cat euthanasia fell 53%.”
“These are transformational results that reflect thousands of individual decisions made by staff, volunteers, foster families and adopters, all working together,” he continued.
The reduction was achieved as overall animal intake decreased by 13%. Charleston Animal Society attributed the decline to managed-intake strategies intended to keep pets with their families or safely in their communities when possible, preserving shelter space for animals in immediate need.
Strategies Behind the Results
Roman said several research-backed animal welfare programs contributed to the shelter’s first-year results:
- Managed intake and community support: Finding an appropriate path for each animal, including returning home, entering the shelter or remaining in community care, instead of automatically admitting the animal to the shelter.
- Expanded veterinary care: Increasing veterinary capacity at the Berkeley Campus to accelerate medical treatment, stabilization and adoption readiness.
- Seven-day adoptions and marketing: Opening the shelter seven days a week and launching community adoption campaigns. The Stronger Together campaign resulted in 170 adoptions during its final three days.
- Behavioral support: Using the Lazin Behavioral Transition Center to give shelter dogs a quiet, structured environment where they can decompress and develop skills intended to improve their chances of placement.
Community Partners Recognized
Roman credited former shelter leader Heather McDowell with laying the groundwork before Charleston Animal Society assumed operations.
He also recognized Berkeley County Councilwoman Amy Stern for advocating for stronger animal ordinances, community microchip stations and funding for low-cost spay and neuter services.
Sheriff Lewis and Detective DiFalco were recognized for the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office’s work investigating animal cruelty cases, including alleged dogfighting, hoarding and neglect. Roman also cited a large hound seizure in Goose Creek in July 2025.
Planned Expansion
Additional facility and program expansions are expected to be completed in late 2026.
Berkeley County is funding a new $1.6 million adoption center featuring a dedicated entrance and reception area designed to separate adoption services from intake operations.
Charleston Animal Society is also reopening the Berkeley Campus’ on-site spay and neuter clinic in phases. The first two phases, focused on treating shelter animals, have been completed.
The third phase is expected to begin in early September and will provide services for free-roaming community cats. By the end of the year, the clinic aims to offer affordable public spay and neuter services to Berkeley County residents.
“Berkeley County made a bold decision one year ago, and the animals of this county are safer, healthier and more likely to find homes because of it,” Roman said. “This is what happens when two groups truly work together in the best interest of animals. The work is not finished, but the foundation is strong, and the best is yet to come.”