A campaign is underway to help ease crowded conditions in the Palmetto State’s animal shelters.
The goal of the campaign, called Pick Me S.C., is to find homes for at least 1,500 shelter pets.
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Nearly 40 shelters across the state are participating, including Aiken County Animal Services, which is reporting an unusually high influx of homeless pets.
Aiken County will offer discounts on adoption fees, and in some cases, fees will be waived altogether.
BLAZE was rescued from the middle of a busy two-lane highway by a Good Samaritan. He is super sweet and loves to fetch tennis balls. 
Big BUTCH is a six-year-old Retriever mix and has a wonderful, easy-going personality. 
FERGUS is 70 pounds and just two years old. He’s a great athlete and ready for his forever home. 
FLORENCE, a two-year-old, brindle Retriever mix, is looking for a loving home. 
RALPHIE is a friendly, goofy mixed breed who loves people and female dogs. 
SAVANNAH, a gorgeous, 10-year-old shepherd mix, is the county shelter’s longest resident. She is wonderful but needs to be an only pet.
Working with ACAS will be its volunteer support group, Friends of the Animal Shelter.
FOTAS Programs Coordinator Kathy Jacobs said the Aiken County shelter is full.
“We are seeing so many homeless pets coming in, no fault of their own. Adoptions have been slowing down as people are traveling for the first time in a long time,” said Jacobs. “We are hoping that some of our dogs and cats that have been sitting in kennels losing hope will find homes this week.”
Aiken County’s shelter, located at 333 Wire Rd., will offer discounts on adoption fees, and in some cases, fees will be waived altogether.
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The SPCA Albrecht Center at 199 Willow Run Rd. is also participating in the campaign.
You can learn more about Pick Me SC, and locate a participating shelter at: https://pickmesc.org/.
The event runs through June 27.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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