Furry guests loving the luxurious accommodations at the new Beaufort County Animal Campus.
After seven years of hard work and planning, the new Animal Campus in Okatie is now open for business. Local stakeholders joined together for the official ribbon cutting ceremony on March 30. The new 20,000-square-foot facility includes Beaufort County Animal Services and Hilton Head Humane Association’s Spay/Neuter Clinic and its second Adoption Center. This combines all these services under one roof instead of three separate locations throughout the county.
“As we continue our partnership with Beaufort County, and in particular Beaufort County Animal Services, we cannot emphasize enough the thousands of animals that are alive today because of this relationship,” said Chuck Laine, chairman of the Humane Association Board of Directors. “This arrangement has been a collaborative effort that has successfully helped us carry out our mission of improving the lives of homeless dogs and cats while also working to substantially lower the number of animals reproduced or relinquished.”
The $7 million facility, located between Pritcher Point and Heffalump roads, next to the River’s End community, was constructed by local contractor Nix Construction.
“The two largest agencies in our county understand that we are ‘Better Together,’” says Tallulah Trice, Director of Beaufort County Animal Services. “And we also understand critical to reducing intake and euthanasia is to emphasize aggressive spay and neuter programs. This is why the spay/neuter clinic was central in the design of the new building.”
We reached out to a few of the Animal Campus’ residents for their take on the new facility.
Click on the thumbnail images below to enlarge.
“I hear this 10 acre complex is the largest public/private undertaking in the history of Beaufort County. It really shows. There are walking trails, training areas and so many other cool spaces here.” — Spalding
“I like how the Hilton Head Humane Association and Beaufort County worked together to make this dream a reality. Unity is strength. When there is teamwork and collaboration, things happen. When it comes to the animal welfare mission, shelters and rescues should always be working together, striving to put themselves out of business. This partnership is a model other counties can, and should, follow.” — Aslan
“So many toys and feathers. We are having a ball in here. It may have taken seven years of planning and hard work, but it’s totally worth it!” — Paris
“Hallway versus highway. In the past, Beaufort County Animal Services would transport intake animals from Beaufort to the spay and neuter clinic in Ridgeland, and then to the adoption center on Hilton Head Island. Now we have all three components in one building, so we’re taking the hallway, not the highway. I’ve picked up a new hobby with all the free time I’ve gained — knitting — and I’m getting pretty good at it!” — Nos
“You can really stretch out in here. There is a ton more space than the old place and it’s only going to get better! The spay and neuter clinic will continue to help reduce overpopulation, which in return, reduces euthanasia. To lower the number of animals relinquished, counseling and aid are also available to help people keep their animals.” — Nibble
“I’m sleeping great! This place is so quiet and peaceful. Plus, we have a giant dog bone shaped pond. How cool is that?” — Grober
“Visibility. The county shelter was out of sight, out of mind. This new campus brings together Beaufort County’s two strongest animal organizations. As Coach K once eloquently stated, ’Two are better than one if two act as one.’ That is certainly the case in this situation.” — Cena
“Accessibility and location. Our new campus is located just five minutes from the intersection of U.S. 278 and U.S. 170, in the middle of Beaufort County, bringing Northenders and Southenders together. We’re like one big happy family in here!” — Billie
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After seven years of hard work and planning, the new Animal Campus in Okatie is now open for business. Local stakeholders joined together for the official ribbon cutting ceremony on March 30. The new 20,000-square-foot facility includes Beaufort County Animal Services and Hilton Head Humane Association’s Spay/Neuter Clinic and its second Adoption Center. This combines all these services under one roof instead of three separate locations throughout the county.
