More than 100 pets were fostered or adopted during the 2024 holiday season. 

Between November 26, 2024 and January 1, 2025, 26 pets went to foster homes, and 121 pets were adopted. Seven of those fosters were specifically "Home for the Pawlidays" fosters.

"We are thankful for the community members who opened their hearts and homes to pets in need, temporarily through the holiday fostering program, or permanently through adoption. Your thoughtful actions make a difference in the lives of the animals of Horry County." Lt. Crystal Buckingham, Animal Care Center shelter director said. "Fostering and adoption are two ways the community can help us in our mission to provide excellent care and humane treatment for all animals."

The Horry County Animal Care Center offers four foster programs throughout the year: 'Foster to Adopt', 'Foster for Adoption', 'Doggy Sleep Away', and 'Doggy Day Out'. Foster pets are supported by the Animal Care Center. 

'Foster to Adopt' allows community members to take the pet home for a one-week test run. If the pet isn't the right fit, fosters return the pet to the shelter. 

'Foster for Adoption' allows community members to provide a place for a shelter pet to stay while the pet awaits adoption. 

'Doggy Sleep Away' allows community members to take an available shelter pet for a weekend sleepover. 

'Doggy Day Out' is a day-long program that allows community members to spend a day with an available pet away from the shelter. 

Fostering allows pets to decompress and lower their stress levels in a home environment. Dogs and cats in the shelter for a long time are often stressed and can become depressed. Fostering also allows pets to meet potential adoptive families. 

Fostering allows community members to try out what it is like to have a pet in their home, and see if the pet fits their lifestyle. Fosters can also learn more about the pet outside the sheltering environment. 

You can learn more about the Animal Care Center's foster programs here. 

The Horry County Animal Care Center is open Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (with an hour closure at 12:30 p.m.) and Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Follow the Horry County Animal Care Center on Facebook for shelter updates and program information.