Spay/Neuter
Pet over population is a serious problem affecting Beaufort County. If you think just one litter won’t matter, consider this: A 1995 report by Karen Johnson, from National Pet Alliance says, “Realistically, over 12 years, one unspayed female, with all her unspayed female offspring, reasonably can be expected to be responsible for over 3200 kittens if there is no human intervention.” Dog and cat overpopulation is a national tragedy. Millions of dogs and cats are killed in shelters, hit by cars, or die on the 
streets simply because there are not enough homes.
Beaufort County Animal Services, under the leadership of Tallulah Trice, has reduced the euthanasia rate by focusing on transport programs and partnerships. Pet over-population is still a big problem. Not enough folks are spay or neutering their pets.
Humane Association of the Lowcountry (HAL) only adopts animals AFTER they have been spayed and neutered. HAL partners with Port Royal Veterinary Hospital to host low-cost spay/neuter clinics. There are other full-time low cost spay neuter programs and practices. Spay/Neuter is the only permanent, 100-percent effective method of birth control for dogs and cats. By spaying and neutering your pet, you can be an important part of the solution. Contact your veterinarian today and be sure to let your family and friends know that they should do the same.
Low Cost Spay/Neuter and Vaccinations
- Hilton Head Spay/Neuter Clinic – low cost Spay/Neuter facility in Okatie, SC 843 645-8500 for cats/kittens/dogs/puppies
- Beaufort County Animal Services (BCAS) has initiated a humane program to trap feral cats, fix them and return them to their colony. For more information about this program and others, contact BCAS at 843-255-5010.
- Affordable Pet Day Clinic (Spay/Neuter) 843-379-9111
- Palmetto Animal League(PAL) – PAL Community clinic They have a year round program called “Beat the Heat.” It is for feral and community cats. $40 spay/neuter, rabies vaccination and ear tip. Must have an appointment. For more information, call PAL 843-645-1727. They also do wellness exams and other pet health procedures.
- Low Country Pet Vaccine clinic Mobile vaccine clinic. Fast. Affordable. see when it will be in your area.
- Low-Cost Spay/Neuter in Statesboro and Bulloch Counties in Georgia
Feral Cats
Beaufort County has a large number of homeless cats/kittens. Homeless cats deserve care. They are often victims of abandonment, accidental loss, and failure by owners to fix their pets. Review the reference material below to see how you can help cats/kittens in our community.
A few TNR colonies already exist in Beaufort County:
- Beaufort
- Habersham
- Sun City
- Dataw
- Hilton Head Island/Bluffton
- Bluffton Feral Cat Project
- Daufuskie Island
Trapping humanely – Best Friends Guide
Other Reference
Beaufort Country Ordinances (Chapter 14, Animal control, Section 14 -34) Management of feral cat colonies
Alley Cat Allies – Reference material
Stray Pet Advocacy – Socializing a feral cat
Vet Street – Life is like with a cat who has not been fixed
Vet street – Life is like with a dog who has not been fixed