Organizations Mentor Second Shelter in South Carolina, a State Grappling to Manage its Cat Population
BOSTON and Salem, Mass., Jan. 30, 2023 – Thirty two cats are safe and settling in at the Northeast Animal Shelter (NEAS) in Salem following their transport from the Darlington Humane Society in Darlington, South Carolina, the MSPCA-Angell and NEAS announced today. The cats arrived at NEAS on January 28.
The transport is the first from Darlington as part of a new mentorship with the MSPCA and NEAS, one intended to bring more animals in need of homes to Massachusetts while also improving the lives of animals in South Carolina.
A “No-Brainer” in Ending Animal Homelessness
“Expanding our mentorship program was a natural next step after the success we’ve had over the past year with Berkeley,” said MSPCA-Angell Director of Adoption Centers and Programs and NEAS Executive Director Mike Keiley, referencing the organizations’ mentoring of the Berkeley Animal Center in Moncks Corner, South Carolina.
“But there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to working to end animal homelessness,” he elaborated. “In Berkeley, we spent a lot of time sharing our experiences addressing the free-roaming cat population in Massachusetts to help them on the path to similar success. But with Darlington we’re sharing ideas and tactics to help manage a large and increasing number of homeless animals.”
Keiley says transports like this one will be a major part of that.
“Relocating cats will help Darlington free up resources, so the staff has the time and space needed to work with us to get good, sustainable systems in place for intake, in-shelter care, and stimulating greater adoption interest,” he said.
“It’s a win-win, with the relocated cats coming to Massachusetts where they’re more likely to find new, loving homes, while we help staff in South Carolina implement long-term improvements for cats there,” Keiley added.
Adopt these Cats!
The cats are almost entirely domestic short hairs and range in age from five-months to two-years old. They’ll be available for adoption following their state-mandated 48-hour quarantine and after they’ve received any medical care they may need. Interested adopters may monitor neas.org/adopt.
