‘Home for the Holidays’ adoption campaign.

The campaign, held Dec. 16 to Dec. 23, focused on encouraging the adoption of older animals during the holiday season, with the society and its partners bringing pets to homes in Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Ladson, West Ashley and North Charleston. Adopting older animals plays a crucial role in reducing the shelter’s euthanasia rates; for instance, only 25% of senior dogs are adopted compared to 60% of younger ones, putting older animals at a higher risk of long stays and health issues.

Volunteers dressed for the season and organizers timed deliveries for Christmas Eve to surprise adopters and make introductions in person. The visits produced a string of emotional moments: an older man received an older Beagle and visibly brightened, while a 16-year-old girl clutched a Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy she had long wanted, wrapping it to her chest and crying into its fur. This moment exemplifies the overwhelming joy and connection that can happen when a pet finds a loving home.

Two kittens named Leah and Tiramisu also left the shelter as part of the deliveries, and staffers noted adoptions across age groups and species. Kay Hyman, senior director of community engagement for the Charleston Animal Society, said the program exists to change how the public sees shelter animals. “Nobody wants (these animals) sitting in cages, and this helps us bring them to the forefront, to help the public see the amazing animals we have every single day,” she said. Families looking to adopt during the holiday season can prepare by puppy-proofing their homes to ensure a smooth transition for their new companions.

Hyman described the exchange of pets on doorsteps as a meaningful moment for volunteers and families alike. “These are the kinds of moments that both the families and volunteers will always remember,” she said, pointing to scenes such as a child pulling a puppy from a delivery elf’s arms and the occasional volunteer arriving in Santa pajamas.

Don Smith, community relations director at Hendrick Automotive Group, said the volunteer role remains in high demand. “Volunteering to deliver the pets is a popular gig,” he said, as company staff and community volunteers drove adopted animals to new homes across the region. The shelter’s operations are particularly burdened during the holiday season, often facing reduced foster availability due to travel and extra responsibilities, which makes the adoption efforts even more critical.

Organizers said the Home for the Holidays campaign aims to place animals—particularly older ones—into stable homes during a week of intensified outreach and waived or reduced barriers to adoption. The society coordinated the timeline and delivery logistics while Hendrick Automotive Group provided volunteer drivers and support for doorstep handoffs. This collaborative effort not only facilitates adoptions but also helps alleviate the operational pressures faced by the shelter as it works to find homes for older pets.

Staff and volunteers reported that the hand-deliveries produced immediate bonds: the look on one man’s face when he first saw his new dog was described by team members as unmistakable, and several adopters reacted with tears, laughter and hugs. The campaign paired in-shelter adoption work from Dec. 16 to Dec. 23 with the delivery effort the following day.

The deliveries spanned neighborhoods and suburban towns outside downtown Charleston, reflecting a drive to get animals into homes across the society’s service area rather than keeping them at the shelter through the holidays. Organizers said the event highlights animals who can be overlooked at adoption centers and gives families a chance to begin the transition with support from shelter staff and volunteers. Understanding the challenges animal shelters face, such as increased pet surrenders amid economic pressures, makes these adoption events even more significant.

Among the adopted animals were an older Beagle taken home by an older man, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy given to a 16-year-old, and the two kittens Leah and Tiramisu. Volunteers described scenes of excitement and relief as pets left the shelter for private homes.

The 12th annual campaign and the delivery activity underscore ongoing efforts by the Charleston Animal Society and partners to increase adoption rates and to spotlight older animals during a season when families may have extra time to welcome a pet.

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Original reporting: view the original article.