News | Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary

You’re Just What an Underdog is Waiting for

Oct 22, 2024

This October, Subaru’s Make a Dog’s Day is turning the spotlight on senior underdogs, those older shelter dogs who are far too often overlooked due to their age. In its fifth annual event, Subaru and our retail partners are encouraging families to consider adopting a senior dog, who may be a tad bit slower but is filled with love, loyalty, and plenty of wisdom.

Senior dogs make lovely companions. More often than not, they are calm, house-trained, and quick to settle into their new forever homes. It also helps that Subaru is helping to cover adoption costs for these older pups, making it even easier to give them a second chance at happiness. Since 2008, Subaru and our retailers have donated over $52 million to national and local organizations and impacted the lives of over 480,000 animals.

Even if you cannot adopt at this time, you can help spread the love by volunteering, donating, or getting the word out by using the hashtag #MakeADogsDay. Let’s get out there and show these sweet seniors that it is never too late for a fresh start in life.

Are you ready to make a senior dog’s day?

Animals Benefited By Your Laps For Love Donation

Aug 17, 2023

With our Laps For Love fundraiser just a few days away, we wanted to share our special animals that your donation benefits.

Lolly is a chubby little beagle mix who, through no fault of her own, was surrendered to a local county animal shelter. The shelter was so overcrowded that Lolly was being held in a crate until a spot opened up for her. She was likely a candidate for euthanasia, being a senior with skin rashes and a neurological issue that gave her an unsteady gait. When a shelter worker contacted Hallie Hill asking if we would accept Lolly into our program, we could save her life because of your support. Lolly waddles daily around the sanctuary and really enjoys sniffing in the open fields. She hopes to one day catch a squirrel, but the squirrels don’t look worried by her latest attempts. Someone may adopt Lolly despite her age and unsteady gait, but if not, she is promised a home here at Hallie Hill for as long as she needs it.

Dolly was found as a stray by a family who brought her to us for care as they already had a few dogs. Dolly was very feeble to be only about 2 years old because she had painful, swollen joints on all four legs. She also had an abscessed tooth. Dr Badger at West Ashley Veterinary clinic did an amazing job diagnosing and treating her immune-associated arthritis. After proper medication, her joint swelling was down and she was a happy comfortable girl. Dolly’s infected tooth was removed and the wound on her cheek was repaired. She now is quite the character with a beautiful voice and is safe at the sanctuary awaiting someone to choose her to take home.

Leigh, a long-time volunteer at the sanctuary, spotted a small grey tabby kitten on the edge of a rural road. She was surprised when he did not run away as she bicycled past him. She stopped her bike and spoke softly to him. That was all the encouragement the little guy needed to start dragging himself as fast as he could toward her as if his life depended on him getting to her before she left! Leigh brought him to the sanctuary because he could not stand and seemed to have no use of his hind legs, which were atrophied from lack of use. We named him Max- since he put forth “max”imum effort to survive and be rescued. Max was cleaned up, given plenty of food and water, and examined by our vet, who x-rayed him to determine his little spine was badly broken. Max later visited a neurologist who gave us a good prognosis: Max could possibly walk again once his spinal injury had time to heal. A strict regimen of crate rest was prescribed. Max has been adopted by his foster care-givers.

Alfredo is about a 10-year-old yellow tabby cat that came to us as a found stray. He was thin and seemed to be hungry all the time. After only a day with us, we knew he would have some medical issues, and he was quickly diagnosed as a diabetic. Alfredo receives an insulin injection every 12 hours and is gaining weight nicely. Alfredo has a winning personality and is the most adorable little guy! We hope an adopter will consider him even though he requires extra care.

Ralph is Famous: Rescuing Ralph

Aug 4, 2023

Rescuing Ralph is the story of a puppy mill breeder dog, named Ralph, who found a better life with his rescuer. Told from Ralph’s point of view and based loosely on his experiences, the story is educational and very moving. It is about learning to trust and the power of friendship, both human and canine.

And a bonus- sweet Ralph is available for adoption at Hallie Hill! He is 14 years old, and has really blossomed while in our care. We have found him to be cautious at first, but he warms up quickly when he finds you worthy. Ralph has come to love the other little dogs he lives with. He would do best in a quiet, adults only home. Yes, you can ‘Rescue Ralph’, or consider one of the other Hallie Hill residents waiting to find their fur-ever home!

Thank You Friends of Hallie Hill

Jun 27, 2023

Preferred Home Services donated over 1,000 pounds of dog food!! Thank you so much, Mike and Ryan, for this special fundraiser and for making this special delivery to the Sanctuary. We are so grateful for your kindness- thanks for caring about our special animals.

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We are pretty excited about a wonderful donation of a chest freezer! Now our pups can have refreshing frozen treats in our hot, South Carolina summer.

Thank you to East Cooper Center for Advanced Studies High School Program!! They collected donations of dog food, towels, treats, and so much more. We know our animals will be very happy.

Fear-Free Shelters: Taking the PET out of Petrified one shelter at a time

Jun 14, 2023

We are pleased to announce HHAS has adopted the methods and philosophies of the Fear Free Shelter Program. Michele Griffin, CPDT-KA, the HHAS Assistant Director, has not only a passion for pets but one for educating people about understanding companion animals and the best methods for working with them. Michele has led our current continuing education campaign wherein the sanctuary staff is completing a course to learn the best practices for working with animals in a way that improves their emotional experiences and reduces their fear, anxiety, and frustration. Volunteers are also welcome to complete this course to better understand some key strategies and techniques that will make a positive impact on the emotional state of the animals in our care. Every month for the next several months, we will highlight what one of our staff members found most interesting or valuable about the program.

“The thing I love most about our staff and volunteers embracing and using the Fear Free Shelter philosophy and techniques is having everyone on the same page with the way they handle and interact with our animals – care, and consistency is so important. So much research has been done in recent years, proving that, like us, dogs and cats are sentient beings with feelings and emotions. Small, easy changes in the way we do things with them makes such a huge impact on their comfort and wellbeing.” -Michele Griffin

Furr-iendly Wedding Guests

Mar 23, 2023

Catniss and Smokey were honored guests of Lindsay Segal and Tommy Hornsby at their wedding reception! Thank you to the newlyweds for being very special supporters of Hallie Hill!