Elder Pet Adoption Spotlight

We all age. Every day, every week, every month and year. The same is true for our pets! Many people take great care of their animals until they day they say goodbye to them. But sadly, there are people who surrender their senior pets. They trade in an ailing dog or feeble cat for something new and young, a puppy or kitten. Hallie Hill is an Animal Sanctuary, which is sanctuary is a place of refuge or safety. We take in the older dogs and cats as we are able and have space. The animals we take in will always have a home here. It is so sad to see an animal arrive, frightened and confused. We do our best to love them for as long as they are with us. But then, there are the unselfish acts of those who look for and adopt the aged ones.

I asked Kaydee, who adopted a senior pet from Hallie Hill, to share her story. Kaydee opened her heart to an aged cat named Dot. Dot is probably in her teens. She has only 1 or 2 teeth left. She had come in from the outside cat pens to be an “office cat”. Kaydee says, “Dot is the oldest cat that we have ever adopted, and she is spectacular!!! She is by far the kindest cat to every member of the family. She allows my youngest child to carry her around, something I was very worried about for Dots safety in the beginning. With reassurance from Dana and Jennifer that Dot would be able to jump high to get away if needed, and that if Dot was not the right fit for our home, she would be welcome again at Hallie Hill, we decided to bring her home. I was worried that Dot at her senior age may not feel comfortable leaving her friends and her office at Hallie Hill and adapting to a new environment. I thought that she may prefer the quite home of retired persons. I was wrong, she fits into our young family perfectly! She is full of energy and loves to play with bouncy balls. She carries them in her nearly toothless mouth to the top of the stairs and drops them down and chases them all around the house. She follows us outside for dog walks. She has made our house her own, with a spot on each bed and chair as she follows the sun around the house. When it’s mealtime, Dot is the first to keep me company as I cook and always happy for a handout around the table. She is always wanting to be in someone’s lap and even adores my two year old. What was most surprising to me is that a senior cat such as Dot, with only one tooth left in her mouth and missing a claw on her left hind paw, has so much beautiful fun energy and love to share with our family! I hope everyone will take the time to visit adult and elderly animals and give them a try in their home.”

Hallie Hill has a large selection of older pets (10+ years old). You can visit our website and look through the dogs and cats seeking a home of their own. View our dogs up for adoption View our cats up for adoption. If you find one you are interested in, please fill out an application. Then follow up with a phone call to make an appointment to meet the dog or cat and interview with Jennifer, our Director. (843) 889-3713 or (843) 200-4120. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon in June, the British Car Club of Charleston (BCCC) had the chance to visit Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary! We loved having them visit us and their annual picnic was an honor to host. Members had a fabulous lunch and then had the chance to tour the Hallie Hill property.

Thanks so much to the BCCC members for a wonderful afternoon spent in your company. The animal-loving BCCC members were very impressed by the grounds and the mission of Hallie Hill, and we can’t wait to continue our work with them!

Your dog deserves a summer cool-down treat too! Try making this easy and delicious ice cream recipe for your pup. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:
3 Ripe Bananas
32 Ounces Plain Yogurt
1 Cup Peanut Butter

Directions:
Blend ingredients together in a large bowl. Pour the mixture into ice trays. Freeze for a few hours. That’s it!

Tips for Traveling with your Pets

For some pet parents, a trip is no fun if the four-legged members of the family can’t come along. But traveling can be highly stressful, both for you and your pets. If you’re planning to take a trip with pets in tow, we have some tips to help ensure a safe and comfortable journey for everyone!

Remember, no matter where you’re headed or how you plan to get there, make sure your pet is microchipped for identification and wears a collar and tag imprinted with your name, phone number and any relevant contact information. It’s a good idea for your pet’s collar to also include a temporary travel tag with your cell phone and destination phone number for the duration of your trip.

Traveling by plane? Unless your furry friend is small enough to ride under your seat, it’s best to avoid air travel with your pets. If you must bring your pet along on the flight, here are a few suggestions to keep your pet safe while flying the friendly skies.

• Book a direct flight whenever possible.
• Make an appointment with your pet’s veterinarian for a checkup. Prior to your trip, make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date and obtain a health certificate from your veterinarian dated within 10 days of your departure.
• For travel outside of the continental United States, additional planning and health care requirements may be necessary.
• Purchase a USDA-approved shipping crate. The crate should be large enough for your pet to stand, sit and turn around in comfortably, and lined with some type of bedding—shredded paper or towels—to absorb accidents. Prior to your trip, tape a small pouch of dried food outside the crate so airline personnel will be able to feed your pet in case he or she gets hungry during a layover. The night before you leave, freeze a small dish or tray of water for your pet. This way, it can’t spill during loading and will melt by the time he or she is thirsty. Make sure the crate door is securely closed, but not locked, so that airline personnel can open it in case of an emergency.
• Make sure your pet’s crate has proper identification. Mark the crate with the words “Live Animal,” as well as with your name, cell phone and destination phone number, and a photo of your pet. Should your pet escape from the carrier, this could be a lifesaver. You should also carry a photograph of your pet. Tell every airline employee you encounter—on the ground and in the air—that you are traveling with a pet in the cargo hold. This way, they’ll be ready if any additional considerations or attention is needed. If the plane is delayed, or if you have any concerns about the welfare of your pet, insist that airline personnel check the animal whenever feasible. In certain situations, removing the animal from the cargo hold and deplaning may be warranted.

Taking a Road Trip? Traveling with a pet by car involves more than just loading the animal in the back seat and motoring off, especially if you will be driving long distances or plan to be away for a long time. Here are a few car travel safety tips to help you prepare for a smooth and safe trip.

• Prep your pet for a long trip. Get your pet geared up by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. If you’re traveling across state lines, bring along your pet’s rabies vaccination record. While this generally isn’t a problem, some states require this proof at certain interstate crossings.
• Keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier. The crate should be large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down and turn around in. Secure your pet’s crate so it will not slide or shift in the event of an abrupt stop. If you decide to forgo the crate, don’t allow your pet to ride with his head outside the window, and always keep him in the back seat in a harness attached to a seat buckle.
• Prep a pet-friendly travel kit. Bring food, a bowl, leash, a waste scoop, plastic bags, grooming supplies, medication and first-aid, and any travel documents. Pack a favorite toy or pillow to give your pet a sense of familiarity. Be sure to pack plenty of water, and avoid feeding your pet in a moving vehicle.
• Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day, even with the windows open, a parked automobile can become a furnace in no time, and heatstroke can develop. In cold weather, a car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.

Sources: ASPA

Hallie Hill’s June Wishlist

We’re always looking for help at Hallie Hill! Here’s a couple easy ways to get involved this month:

1. Volunteer! Contact us here to get involved this summer.

2. Donate! Donate to the MAGIC (Medical and Geriatric Intensive Care) by check or online here (Link to page)

3. Amazon Smile! Click here to register your existing Amazon account to donate to Hallie Hill – it’s that easy! Now, get to shopping!

5. List of consumables we need all the time!
– Laundry Detergent or Bleach
– Cinder blocks
– Trash Bags
– Canned Dog Food
– Disinfecting Wipes or Cleaning Supplies
– Leaf Rakes
– Paper Plates and Paper Towels
– Friskies wet cat food
– Gently used lawn chairs
– Dry cat food
– Office Supplies
– Sidewalk Pavers
– Garden Hoses
– Shakable Ant Poison
– Bottled water for volunteers
– Windex
– Pools
– Hose Nozzles

Thank you for your support!

Margaret Graham

Margaret is great with the animals, but this month she was a hit with the humans too! She prepared, delivered and served a birthday lunch for HHAS staff and volunteers in honor of Daisy and Lynn’s birthdays! The food was absolutely fantastic and the carrot cake was ‘to die for’! Thank you Margaret for your kind heart, your devotion to HH and, of course, your culinary expertise!

Noah Preuss

From fundraising for materials through installation, Noah Preuss did it all! Exposing dogs to steps is a crucial step in preparing them for adoption, and Hallie had no way to do this! Noah came to the rescue and made steps for Hallie Hill as his Eagle Scout Project! He fundraised by making and selling dog treats, and by petitioning Lowes for support! He bought the materials, built the steps at home, brought them to Hallie and assembled them there, with the help of Troop 484! They are fantastic! Thank you Noah!