CHESTERFIELD, SC — Chesterfield Animal Services is in need of rescues for six dogs at their shelter which are set to be euthanized on October 15. Ginger, Sky, Vegas, Sosa, Pearl, and Cruella are on the 911 list, meaning their time is almost up.

This 911 list comes as a result of a new policy started in July of 2021 when the officials voted to turn Chesterfield Animal Services into a 21-day kill shelter when previously the shelter used euthanization rarely and partnered with No Kill South Carolina. The policy was passed amidst controversy and online petitions to stop euthanasia.

“This means that an animal can be housed at our shelter for 21 days before decisions on euthanasia have to be made,” read a post on Chesterfield Animal Services’ Facebook.

This does not mean that on day 21 the animal in question will definitely be euthanized, but a decision has to be made. They are an open-intake shelter where no animal is turned away, creating full capacity with animals crated wherever the shelter can find room – from hallways to break rooms. The shelter has also determined other short-term intake solutions like stopping intakes until more animals are able to leave to other rescues taking them in. But Chesterfield Animal Services is still low on space and resources. They have done what they can to place animals, socialize and medicate them, network with rescues, and find animals homes. But when animals are unable to be placed, the euthanasia decision has to be made.

Douglas Curtis, Chair of the Animal Services Committee, said they’re adding funding and services to get the animals adopted, not just implementing a death sentence, when he spoke to Fox 46 Charlotte about the policy back in June 2021.

“You have to do things in order to progress, and I’m sorry you can’t save them all, but we will do everything in our power to save as many as we can,” he said.

Most of the dogs on the 911 list have been in the shelter for over four months. These dogs have been observed showing aggression or dominant behavior, and been unable to stay in homes with other pets or people unfamiliar with their temperament. Many of these dogs have also been victims of trauma and abuse or can be skittish in new environments. They are also older dogs and breeds that families are less likely to adopt. At this time, Chesterfield Animal Services needs rescuers who can provide proper obedience training and socialization before the dogs can be placed with their forever families. It is the best solution for the dogs and their adopters to have them go to rescues where there are the proper resources.

Any help from rescues that could take the six dogs in would be greatly appreciated. Any help at all can stop sweet dogs Ginger, Sky, Vegas, Sosa, Pearl, and Cruella from being euthanized. To help or take in, please reach out to Chesterfield Animal Services at 843-623-3585 or visit them at 436 Goodale Road.

“We are trying to make positive changes and if you’re involved just a little, you will see every bit of the effort being made! And we welcome every suggestion anyone has that may make a difference for the better of Chesterfield Animal Shelter!”

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Reach Hannah Barron at 910-817-2668 or hbarron@ansonrecord.com.