GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – Inflation remains at a 40-year high, and costs even extend to animal care. The Animal Allies of Spartanburg has increased costs for veterinary drugs, veterinary drugs, and supplies. And now nonprofits are getting support from a different kind of source.
The Animal Allies of Spartanburg’s Spay and Neuter Clinic’s goal is to keep animals from becoming a burden on families and communities.
“It’s more than just having a pet and bringing it to the table,” says Zoe Oswalt, veterinary technologist at Animal Allies Spay and Neuter Clinic. “You need a team to do this job.
Oswald mentions five veterinarians and a large roster of veterinary technicians who perform more than 130 sterilizations and castrations daily.
“We always like to have a cat or a dog on the table,” she said.
We also have rescue and shelter operations for 75 people in Carolina, Georgia and civilians.
“Most veterinary clinics now have a two to three-month backup, so rescued animals are confined to shelters until they are changed for adoption,” say Animal Allies Spay and Neuter. Cortney Keenan, development outreach coordinator at the Clinic, said, “So they drive two to three hours because they get a ton of cars in no time.”
But over 19,000 surgeries and countless costs.
“Oh, (that’s) a lot,” said Keenan. “Our supply has all increased, especially with the current inflation, but we don’t want to pass it on to our customers because they won’t be able to afford it anymore.”
Flat Rock has 30,000 lights and the pressure is easing. Joe Maylish and Carrie Elisius are two of his friends behind Flat Rock Lights, a holiday fundraiser that benefits Animal Allies.
“Carrie was the lighting coordinator, and I turned the lights on and she started getting brighter and brighter,” Meilish said.
Jokes aside, they both say animal advocacy is a serious business.
“I would rather have the animals sterilized or neutered than euthanized them in the shelters.
That’s why for the third year in a row we strategized at our home at 3 East Boxwood Loop in Flat Rock to create a fundraiser-worthy display that benefits a local animal non-profit.
“[More people]should have a voice for the voiceless,” Elysius said.
A gesture that surprised the Animal Allies.
“Well, at first, is it true, is this true,” said Keenan.
But for the two strangers, it was a solid plan in action.
“We start with Thanksgiving weekend and pretty much work every weekend and every night,” Maylish says.
Maylish and Elisius raised $7,000 in their first year and hope to raise even more this year in the week leading up to Christmas.
“It’s a great way to tie a few things together,” Meilish said.
“Carrie and Joe are both for animals and that’s why we’re here, so we like to call them our buddies,” added Keenan.
Flat Rock Lights at 3 East Boxwood Loop will run from December 19th to December 23rd from 6-9pm with free cookies and hot cocoa. Donations are collected. We also welcome pets on a leash and well behaved. If not, you can find our GoFundMe page here. https://gofund.me/1e0d9318
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