Contact Sign In Add Your Business
Pet Helpers Pet Helpers
Call Now
Website
Call
Business Details
48 Years
experience
Your Trusted Animal Shelter & Adoption Center in Charleston, SC
Pet Helpers has been a steadfast advocate for animal welfare in the Lowcountry for over 47 years. Our mission focuses on ending euthanasia for adoptable cats and dogs through a no-kill shelter, affordable spay/neuter services, and humane education programs. We prioritize community engagement, offering resources like our pet food bank, Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) initiatives, and rehoming assistance to keep pets in loving homes. Our team combines decades of experience with a commitment to innovation, ensuring pets and owners receive tailored support.

As a trusted nonprofit, we adhere to the highest standards of transparency and accountability, guided by our belief that every animal deserves compassion and a second chance. Through partnerships and donor support, we continue to expand our impact, saving thousands of lives annually while fostering a culture of empathy and responsibility.
Services
Adoption Services Spay/Neuter Clinic Pet Food Bank TNR Program Rehoming Assistance Lost & Found Support Veterinary Care Foster Programs
Details
  • Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
  • We have saved over 57,000 pets from euthanasia since 1978.
  • Our no-kill shelter ensures every adoptable animal finds a forever home.
  • Affordable spay/neuter clinics reduce pet overpopulation and shelter intake.
  • Pet food bank and TNR programs support pet owners in need.
  • Humane education fosters compassion and responsible pet ownership.
Update Listing
Services
Adoption Services
Pet Helpers offers a comprehensive adoption program connecting adoptable cats and dogs with loving homes. Our process includes behavioral assessments, meet-and-greet sessions, and post-adoption support to ensure successful transitions. We prioritize matching pets with families based on lifestyle, experience, and household dynamics, including specialized programs like Seniors for Seniors that waive fees for older adopters. Every adoption frees space for another animal in need.
Spay/Neuter Clinic
Our low-cost spay/neuter clinic provides high-quality surgical services to prevent pet overpopulation. By making sterilization accessible, we reduce shelter intake and promote healthier pet communities. Services include vaccinations, microchipping, and preventive care, all administered by licensed veterinarians. The clinic serves both owned pets and community cats through our TNR program, ensuring long-term population management and animal welfare.
Pet Food Bank
The Pet Food Bank ensures financial hardship doesn't force families to surrender pets. We distribute free food and supplies to qualifying individuals, keeping pets nourished and in their homes. This program alleviates temporary crises while connecting clients with additional resources like veterinary grants and behavioral counseling. By addressing basic needs, we strengthen the human-animal bond and reduce shelter admissions.
Trap-Neuter-Return Program
Our TNR initiative humanely manages free-roaming cat populations by sterilizing, vaccinating, and returning community cats. Volunteers and caretakers receive traps, guidance, and post-operative care instructions. This approach improves feline health, reduces nuisance behaviors, and prevents future litters. The program also educates the public on coexisting with wildlife and maintaining balanced ecosystems.
Rehoming Assistance
Pet Helpers supports responsible rehoming through owner resources, courtesy listings, and adoption counseling. We provide guidance on evaluating new homes, creating adoption agreements, and ensuring smooth transitions. Our courtesy posts feature detailed pet profiles shared online, while our shelter intake team assesses animals for temperament and medical needs. This service prioritizes pet well-being and prevents impulsive surrenders.
People
Melissa Susko
Executive Director
Melissa Susko leads Pet Helpers with over two decades of nonprofit management experience. She oversees strategic initiatives, community outreach, and shelter operations, ensuring alignment with our no-kill mission. Her leadership emphasizes collaboration, fiscal transparency, and innovative programming to address animal welfare challenges across the Lowcountry.
J.J. Steele
Marketing Manager
J.J. Steele drives Pet Helpers' outreach efforts, managing media relations, social media campaigns, and community events. With a background in animal advocacy, they amplify adoption stories, fundraising drives, and educational content to engage supporters and expand our lifesaving impact.
Questions
How do I adopt a pet from Pet Helpers?
Visit our Charleston shelter during operating hours to meet available animals. Complete an application, meet with staff for a compatibility assessment, and finalize adoption with a nominal fee.
What services does the spay/neuter clinic offer?
We provide surgical sterilization, vaccinations, microchipping, and preventive care for owned pets and community cats, all at affordable rates.
How can I help if I can't adopt?
Donate, volunteer, foster, or share our mission. Every contribution supports our no-kill promise and community programs.
Do you offer financial assistance for veterinary care?
Levi's Legacy fund provides emergency grants for critical pet medical expenses. Apply through our website for consideration.
What should I do if I find a stray animal?
Check for ID tags, scan for microchips, post on local lost-pet groups, and contact us to report the found pet.