Darlington County Humane Society holds reception

Volunteers and staff gathered at the Darlington County Humane Society on Monday for a reception to honor Sen. Gerald Malloy, Darlington County Council and Nucor for their contributions to the water and sewer connection for the animal shelter and other shelter improvements.

“Sen. Malloy, we couldn’t have done it without you,” said Jackie Kirven, president of the Darlington County Humane Society. “And we’re fortunate to have a corporate citizen such as [Nucor].”

Malloy worked with the State Budget and Control Board and the state appropriations committee to get the shelter a grant of approximately $30,000. Then, Billy Baldwin of county council went unsolicited to Nucor to get the matching funds, the $7,000 to $8,000 needed to complete the project. The funds provided the installation of a new septic system as opposed to the old septic tanks.

With the previous system, the septic tanks had to be pumped frequently and that extra cost wasn’t in the shelter’s budget. Now, the waste can be flushed into the county sewage system and won’t take up space in the landfill.

“No one knew about the deplorable conditions you were working under with the septic system,” said Malloy. “This is a lot more efficient.”

Though not present for the ceremony, Kirven also recognized county council’s role in the project.

“We do want to thank Darlington County Council. We are able to work with council and have one facility that all our efforts go into,” said Kirven.

Buzz Shaw, Wesley Blackwell and Mozella “Pennie” Nicholson make up the county council committee that recently began meeting quarterly with shelter representatives about its needs.

“A lot of it is getting the word out,” said Kathy Palmer of Nucor.

The adoption center and office is the centerpiece of the shelter’s improvements. The school district gave the trailer to the county and Anderson Brass renovated it into a functional working space.

“They made a silk purse out of a sow’s ear,” said Kirven.

“They’ve come a long way,” said Denise Chavis, office manager for Malloy. “I’ve been impressed with how they’ve worked with what they had.”

The next project for Chavis and Malloy will be a crematorium for the shelter. They plan to set up a committee to investigate this. The crematorium would be used for disposal of euthanized animals. Now, the animals are frozen then transported to a landfill. Also, the crematorium could provide another avenue for the shelter to bring in funds through private citizens who want their pets cremated.

Future shelter improvements, including an additional outdoor cat habitat, are still in the planning stages. Currently, the cats are packed into two air-conditioned sheds then moved, as space is made available, to the one row of outdoor spaces at the shelter’s entrance.

Near that outdoor habitat, volunteer Tyler Steen, a Life Scout in Troop 523 at St. Luke Methodist Church in Hartsville, wants to build a fenced-in patio area. The area would include landscaping and benches where people can get to know an animal they are interested in. Donations for this project can be sent in any amount to BSA Troop 523 C/O Richard Cook, St. Luke United Methodist Church, 302 Dunlap Dr., Hartsville, SC 29550.

“It takes everyone,” said Patz Fowle of Hartsville. She created the award presented to Malloy and has done artwork for the cover of the shelter’s cookbook. “I care with my heart and help with my art.”

“The needs for the shelter are not only about taking care of the animals. It’s about quality of life for county residents,” said Kirven. “It’s a matter of health and safety and how others see us.”

“It breaks my heart the number of pets put down,” said Malloy. “We can do better.”