Humane Association of the Lowcountry (HAL)

Spay/Neuter

Pet over population is a serious problem affecting Beaufort County. If you think just one litter won't matter, consider this: One unspayed female cat having just four kittens a year and just two females per litter, can be the cause of over 10,000 kittens being born over the next seven years. Dog and cat overpopulation is a national tragedy. Millions of dogs and cats are killed in shelters, hit by cars, or die on the overcrowded_cat_shelter_2streets simply because there are not enough homes.

Many people are surprised to learn that in Beaufort County as well as across the nation more than 70 percent of the animals taken to the shelter are euthanized. There are many reasons for this high statistic (e.g., no room in the shelter, animal is not adoptable). In 2010 Beaufort County Animal Shelter set a goal to reduce the euthanasia rate. They are developing and implementing programs and partnerships. However, the biggest reason for pet overpopulation is that folks are NOT spay/neutering their pets.

cat at water ball

Humane Association of the Lowcountry (HAL) only adopts animals AFTER they have been spayed and neutered. HAL partners with S.P.A.Y. Inc and the Port Royal Veterinary Hospital as well as the Beaufort County Animal Shelter to host low-cost spay/neuter clinics. There are other full-time low cost spay neuter groups: SNAC, Affordable Pet Clinic, Hilton Head Humane Association. Spay/neuter is the only permanent, 100-percent effective method of birth control for dogs and cats. By spaying and neutering your pet, you can be an important part of the solution. Contact your veterinarian today and be sure to let your family and friends know that they should do the same.

Low Cost Spay/Neuter

Beaufort County Animal Shelter (BCAS) has initiated a humane program to trap feral cats, fix them and return them to their colony.  For more information, contact BCAS at 843-255-5010

SNAC - Spay/Neuter facility in Ridgeland 843 645-2500

Hilton Head Humane Association - Free Spay/Neuter program for cats/kittens/dogs/puppies   843-681-8686

Affordable Pet Day Clinic (Spay/Neuter)  843-379-9111‎

S.P.A.Y. Inc (non-profit) Spay/Neuter assistance program  843-379-2366

Feline Spay/Neuter - $35
Spay Inc is partnering with Port Royal Veterinary Hospital (PRVH) to spay/neuter cats/kittens this Winter.  Money was raised to offset most of the costs via a challenge grant.  The cost to you is $35 and includes:
- cat spay/neuter
- rabies shot
- distemper shot
This price will be ongoing until the money runs out.  Folks will need to call PRVH to make an appointment (379-PETS).

Feline and Canine Spay/Neuter - FREE

The Beaufort County Animal Shelter(BCAS), Sheldon Animal Rescue and Hilton Head Humane have a grant for a free spay/neuter program.
They call it "Beat the Heat."  This is for BOTH dogs and cats in Beaufort County through April.  They are trying to minimize the number of puppies and kittens this spring.
They will even provide transportation in some cases.  Slots are limited!  Call the BCAS for an appointment.  255-5010  press "O"

Feral Cats

Beaufort County has a large number of homeless cats/kittens.   Homeless cats deserve care taking just as much as the kitties who live with us; they are often victims of abandonment, accidental loss, and failure by owners to fix their pets. Review the reference material below to see how you can help cats/kittens in our community.

A few TNR colonies already exist in Beaufort County:bombay kitten

Beaufort Country Ordinances (Chapter 14, Animal control, Section 14 -34) Management of feral cat colonies

Beaufort County low-cost Vaccination and spay/neuter schedule (contact the shelter for more info)

Savannah, GA: Milton Project

Alley Cat Allies - Reference material

Humane Society of the US - Reference material

Stray Pet Advocacy - Socializing a feral cat