I started volunteering at Palmetto Animal League in October 2022. I am so grateful to say that this organization has become like a home to me. The staff greet you with a smile, have a great sense of humor, and truly care for the neglected animals in the community. They are always willing to help if you have any questions and do a great job at training volunteers. This no-kill shelter provides both cats and dogs a safe home with good food, beds, and toys until they are adopted. I have met neglected and abandoned animals that have been nurtured and loved by PAL until they go home to a loving and caring family. The Vet Clinic is also very dedicated to catering to each animal’s needs efficiently and effectively. I have a cat of my own that visits the clinic and they always do a fantastic job at keeping him healthy and clean. Today, I volunteer regularly at PAL for 2 hours, 4 days a week and highly recommend this organization to anyone looking to work, volunteer, or donate!
I had a great experience adopting our second dog from PAL, this time a puppy! My family was looking for a friend for our 8-year-old dog we had adopted from PAL a few years ago. The staff helped us find our perfect match. We brought our older dog for a meet and greet at the shelter, and the staff member who helped us was very nice and knowledgeable. During the meet and greet, we got to let both dogs play in a fenced area. We didn't feel rushed at all, and the staff allowed us the time we needed to make our decision. The adoption process was easy, and it's so nice adopting from PAL because both of our dogs had all their shots, a microchip, and were neutered/spayed. Molly has been a great addition to our family, and PAL has even been there to answer all our puppy questions since the adoption! That type of support is wonderful since we've never raised a puppy before.
I fell in love with Pretty Boy at PAL Thrift store and adopted him several months ago. He has been such a special addition in my home and life. I have never been a cat owner but Pretty Boy made it the easiest decision ever!!! He has the sweetest personality and loves to get his cuddles and naps in daily. He is also very goofy and that’s what makes me love him even more. Adopting Pretty Boy from PAL has been a blessing and I’m so happy Palmetto Animal League could make that happen for me!
My kitties were technically foster “fails” but they are the best things to happen to me. I fostered then adopted two cats that are brothers and they love each other so much. I’m so glad I decided to start fostering kittens at PAL.
We adopted our kitty, Sam, from Palmetto Animal League two years ago. He's opinionated but so very sweet!
I got Charlie right before covid happened and he is the best pet ever! He provided so much entertainment to me and my family but also my other dog Sophie who is older. Charlie and Sophie learned to play with each other and he brought out her inner puppy. It is all thanks to PAL for bringing him into our lives at the perfect time!!
I have worked with a variety of animal shelters around the country and have found PAL to be a top rate facility and a wonderful organization! Their commitment to being a no-kill shelter is unwavering and the PAL staff and volunteers go above and beyond to provide superb care for their dogs and cats. From adoption events to free spay and neuter clinics, PAL's outreach in the community is unparalleled.
I volunteer at Palmetto Animal League's shelter in the cat care division. At first I thought I would want to take home all the cats/kittens that were there - but looking at how the staff and the volunteers treat the animals looking for homes is exemplary. They are kind, considerate and professional. The Cats are very well taken care of. Any concerns as a volunteer we have on a cats health is addressed immediately and if necessary, taken care of. Their house cats roam the halls, as do the warehouse and outside cats... all are given attention and love. It's a great place to volunteer and if you're looking to adopt... this is the place to do it. (ps... I held out for six months before I brought home a cat to her forever home!)
When we moved to Bluffton, we wanted to find a no-kill shelter where we could volunteer. We found Palmetto Animal League and we couldn't be happier. Every staff member and volunteer is committed to the care of every animal that comes through the doors, and works hard to make sure that every one gets the perfect forever home. No matter how long it takes.
Thom and Jean Bate
I am a volunteer at PAL and I absolutely love it there! I enjoy the friendly staff, working with them to make sure the animals are well cared for, and getting to spend time loving on some sweet and sometimes shy kitties. Volunteers and staff work hard to make sure the animals in PAL’s care are given the medical care they might need, a safe place to stay while they wait for their forever homes, and lots of love in between. My favorite cat is Tamaki. He is a dog in a cat’s body. He plays fetch with me dozens of times every time I wash dishes. He can’t get enough of those springs!
The first and best thing in my opinion is that the people who work here have the cats and dogs as the most important thing on their mind. There is no debating they are in it for the animals. The dogs get daily walks and enrichment and play, be it through volunteers or staff. The rooms the cats are in are by far the best living situation for cats in a shelter that I have seen. The building even has a low cost community clinic where you can get vaccines and surgeries at a far lower cost than most other places. They even have a thrift store that puts 100% of the proceeds right back to the animals they take care of. I can't recommend this place enough. The front desk employees, Sally, the kennel staff, and even the PAL President are warm, welcoming, caring, and fun! Drop by PAL and play with the kitties in their rooms, and a dog or two in their back play yards.
I have supported PAL financially for several years. The passion to save animals is never ending and my extended family has adopted animals from this worthwhile organization. You guys are awesome and devoted. I wish I lived closer so I could be more involved.
PAL has an amazing team that truly cares about the animals not only in their shelter but also those coming into the clinic. Every person I have interacted with on their staff was extremely friendly and helpful. 10/10 would recommend!
I became involved with what is now P.A.L when I met Amy Campanini in 2005 and was recruited with others to support a local PetSmart Adoption Center. Amy's mission to build a much needed no kill Adoption Center and establish a network of volunteers that can temporary house animals to be placed in new homes now exists. Unfortunately there is never a shortage of abandoned animals that need loving homes. I will continue to support Palmetto Animal League and I hope others will adopt and financially support this great caring organization.
My story is probably very similar to that of many others who have walked through the doors of Palmetto Animal League. As a transplant from the north, working full time out of my home, and not knowing anyone in the area, I looked for an opportunity to get out of the house and do something fun. I discovered PAL in an online search for animal rescue organizations and after a couple of months, summoned up the courage to find my way to the shelter. That was the beginning of the best days of my life! Fast-forward almost 7 years, my car now practically drives itself to PAL like clockwork every Saturday for my day of rejuvenation and relaxation. This is truly my happy place!
At first, I didn't want the commitment of declaring myself a volunteer. I just wanted to casually drop in to spend some time with the cats and dogs without obligation. After about a year of reliably showing up on Saturday to socialize cats and kittens and becoming more and more impressed by the staff and other volunteers, I bit the bullet and officially declared myself as a volunteer. Over the years, my commitment to PAL has grown, and I fall more and more in love with the feline and canine residents. The amount of time I spend with them allows me to know their names and their personalities, which helps me serve as a matchmaker for potential adopters looking for a special fur friend to bring into their lives.
PAL's staff is tireless and relentlessly compassionate towards the animals under care. These animals become part of our family and we all care deeply about their welfare. Cats and kittens reside in bright and well-lit rooms with up, under, and on spaces for them to claim as their own, and each room has access to a window so they can watch the goings-on outside of their room. Toys, scratching surfaces and snuggly spots are also provided. Each room has a large litter box and access to food and water. Staff and volunteers regularly check the rooms for cleanliness, and the welfare of every cat is observed on a regular basis. Access to medical care is provided from the professionals of the clinic affiliated with the rescue.
PAL has an active network of loving foster families to nurture animals too young, ill, or vulnerable to reside in the adoption center. These foster families provide such an important ministry for these animals who might otherwise fail to thrive. Some specialize in bottle feeding orphaned kittens or those mothers can no longer care for them; some specialize in special needs animals; some are focused on socializing animals with behavioral issues. These fosters are true animal heroes.
Palmetto Animal League demonstrates a lifetime commitment to animals under their care and provides a comfortable, loving and positive environment that sets up the animals for success in their forever homes. PAL routinely rescues special needs or abandoned animals who might otherwise be euthanized in rural shelters unable to provide the level of care and support that is available at PAL. PAL receives no government funding and relies on the generosity of donors and special fundraising efforts. The motto of Palmetto Animal League sums it up: "These are lives worth saving," and the staff and volunteers live that out each and every day with each and every animal under their care.
Palmetto Animal League is one of the best non kill shelters in our area. It is located in Riverwalk Business Park in Okatie, SC. Everyone who works and volunteers there is committed to the care and well being if everyone animal there. They are all compassion and loving people. They cherish and protect all their animals and make sure that when they find their forever homes it is with the best family suited fur them.
I fostered and adopted my two cats from them and I was what they call a foster failure as both Scout and Stewart will live with me forever. I just adore them.
I also volunteer at the adoption center once a week and it’s a highlite of my week. Everything about PAL is amazing from all the staff to all the volunteers . No animal is ever mistreated or neglected. They’re simply loved for who they are and all their needs are taken care of of.
I wish all shelters and adoption centers could be like PAL. I am grateful for all they do for these animals no matter what they need.
Julie Forbes
After I retired I decided it would be fun to volunteer at a local animal shelter. It took me about a year to finally get up the nerve to walk into Palmetto Animal League. Like a lot of other people I was afraid I couldn't leave without taking someone home with me. But I did it! I walked in the door and asked for information on how I could volunteer. I toured the shelter to see the animals. I was impressed to see the kitties in cat rooms - not in cages. They were free to roam in the cat rooms, had shelves to climb on and windows to look out. Potential adopters and volunteers can go into each room and spend time with the kitties. I was so impressed with this set up. The dogs are in the back part of the shelter. They have individual kennels inside and a beautiful outside space to run. Those who are interested in adopting a dog are directed to the kennels where they are met by an employee.
The animals are given food, shelter and medical care. I started volunteering a few days after my first visit and six years later I am still enjoying about 6 hours a week visiting with the animals. The staff has been wonderful to work with. They are caring and love the animals. I am impressed at the extra care they give to special needs animals. Its hard not to get attached to an animal and sometimes really hard to say goodbye when they are adopted. But for every one that's adopted another comes into the shelter. So we start all over again giving each one of them love and wait for the day when they will find someone to take them home. They are given lots of love and care at this facility and I am so glad I had the nerve to walk in the door.
I can tell you all day long what a wonderful place Palmetto Animal League is ... but you'll never know or fully understand unless you've stopped by or have been there and seen first hand the love and compassion that is shown to each and every animal that has entered their facility and is under their care.
I have witnessed first hand the unlimited loving care and devotion each animal receives be it a lonely and confused stray, someone's sorrowful abandoned pet or some poor dejected feral cat. PAL Director, Amy Campanini, will spend whatever it takes on any animal with the potential to live a happy and healthy life, this even goes for a 8 - 10 year old senior cats. To PAL, every life is worth living. I only wish there were more animal welfare organizations that were run this compassionately and efficiently by the very dedicated staff at Palmetto Animal League. Their high operational standards should be the model that should and must be emulated by other animal organizations if they hope to achieve the success obtained by Palmetto Animal League.
Thank you,
Lee Sidorick
Back in 2014 I found my furever best friend at PAL and could not be more thankful!
I would always stop in just to spend time with the animals and the staff would always be so welcoming. These people are very dedicated to what they do and put their whole hearts into everything they do for any animal they come across. I would HIGHLY recommend PAL to anyone seeking a new furry friend, or if you need a pick-me-up go hang out in the cat rooms and visit the pups in the back - it will turn your entire day around.
They also have a medical side that are very easy to work with and communicate with the owners every step of the way to ensure your fur babies are taken care of. I have moved away from the area, but still check in every once and awhile to see what new friendly faces have arrived. Donations are always appreciated and seeing a little tail wag is well worth giving a little extra. Even living away from the area I always try to donate just a little to help out since this a nonprofit organization, a little goes a long way! One of the main things I LOVE about PAL is that they are no-kill shelter. And this is to no exaggeration, I have watched a few kitties and puppies that have not been adopted grow up at PAL and get to live life to the fullest while waiting for their furever homes, so they truly are a no-kill shelter.
With this being said, every penny counts with taking care of this many animals! Help our guys out so they can continue to help out our furry friends that we love so much!
Palmetto Animal League has changed my life. I adopted my last cat from them and he's the sweetest boy I've ever had. As a no-kill shelter, they take in every cat and dog they get and work hard to find them all a loving home. They also have top notch veterinary services at the shelter. PAL changes lives, both that of the animals and our own.
I am a Freedom Flight pilot that has
flown countless missions for Palmetto Animal League, together transporting hundreds of dogs and cats to new homes in the Northeast. PAL is a pleasure to work with, and their dedication to the animals is unprecedented!
OMG! I love these people!
I have two big girls that Palmetto Animal League helped me save. One had heartworm when she was found with 10 puppies hiding under an empty house. PAL helped me through the process of getting her well and keeping her healthy. The other came from a hoarder situation and was skin and bones. Again, PAL helped me get her healthy.
During Covid I decided to foster another dog. (I have nothing else to do and I wasn’t going anywhere). She was a little cutie on death row in a kill shelter. PAL helped me get her out, vet her and get her adopted. And once she was adopted, PAL helped her forever family transition her into their home. (She’s the little perky one in the middle).
I could go on and on about the stories I hear from others about their experiences with PAL. All I know is, this is a loving group of people and I am so thankful they are in my community to do the work that they do. They truly believe that these are lives worth saving - And they demonstrate it every day.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Our family has had a fantastic experience with Palmetto Animal League over the years. We currently have two cats we adopted from PAL. We are so thankful for the caring staff, who took their time to answer our endless questions and make sure that our home was a good fit for the animals we were considering. Palmetto Animal league truly cares about each animal and it shows. We would not hesitate to adopt from PAL again!
PAL is doing important work in Beaufort! I'm so glad we were able to find a no-kill shelter when we moved here from South Florida. They take such amazing care of the animals that other shelters wouldn't be able to save. We are grateful to them!
I'm fortunate to be step-dad to two loving pit-blend dogs who were rescued by PAL, and I have known the team there for many years. There's just no one else like them. Their combination of level-headedness and passion is unique in the field. Everything works to purpose; nothing is wasted. They are so dedicated to their mission that it radiates to everyone they reach. Their facility is one demonstration of their excellence; it is clean and pleasant and well-organized, with attentive, knowledgeable staff and volunteers.
Our family has been fostering kittens for Palmetto Animal League for a couple of years. It is a truly wonderful organization and we feel like part of the family. It is so clear that the needs and finding the best long term homes for these animals are their top priority. As foster family, we have felt supported and engaged in the work -- my daughters who are 8 are always finding ways to fundraise for PALS (we've had birthday parities of no gifts but donations for PALS; lemonade stands; and give your allowance to PALS weeks! I think anyone volunteering or adopting via PALS is lucky to have the privilege of supporting such a fine organization.
Farhana, Mia, Zara and Allan
I have been a volunteer dog walker with PAL since June 2018. At first, I was hesitant to volunteer because of the emotional effect it would have seeing all these homeless animals. When I finally decided to visit PAL and talk to them about volunteering, I was very impressed with the facility, staff and the professional trainers who prepare the dogs to make it easier for them to find their forever homes . The cleanliness of the facility in addition to the care and love given to all these animals in need of homes and medical care made the decision easier for me and the main fact was that it is a no kill shelter. In addition to the dog walking I have also participated in community events on numerous occasions. The total committment by the entire staff and the organization is above reproach.
Shortly after I began walking dogs, I developed a bond with one special boy, Bauble (Bobby). Bobby was in another shelter and was 24 hours away from being euthanized before PAL was contacted and said they would take him. Due to being heartworm positive and after a stroke that temporarily paralyzed him, Bobby had limited mobility due to his rear legs being weak. The staff at PAL went above and beyond to get Bobby back to health and able to find a permanent home. As a result, we took shorter walks and spent much time sitting together on an outdoor bench. The original plan for us was to possibly foster Bobby until he found a permanent home. Fostering never happened, instead Bobby became a permanent part of our family in August 2018 and since is heartworm negative and has become more mobile, loves walking on the beach and driving in the car. Since no one knows his exact birthday, we celebrate his birthday on August 1st, the day he came home. We cannot imagine him being with anyone else but us and and more, cannot imagine him not being around to give the love he gives us daily. Thanks to all at PAL that he is able to bring that love.
Since my retirement in 2007, I have volunteered with, and been a donor to, Palmetto Animal League. I was on the Board of Directors for 6 years, starting when the Riverwalk Adoption Center opened in 2010 and I am proud that I helped start some major fundraisers over the years that helped to support this wonderful organization. I also foster kittens, with the hope of making them even more healthy, socialized and ready for a new forever home. At PAL, the animals are always first priority - their care, their health, their behavior needs, even their pet parents who may need veterinary or food bank assistance to keep their pets in their home. I know that all homeless pets that are cared for at PAL will have a home for life if necessary, including hospice care, and that any pet may be returned to PAL for any reason during its life. That doesn't happen often, of course, because the adoptable pets are healthy and well-behaved and a good match for their new family. The PAL Adoption Center is both animal and people-friendly - no cages, only roomy kennels and cat rooms where visitors can enjoy looking for a new friend or just spending time with the cats or walking dogs. Of course my own cats are PAL cats!
Palmetto Animal League (PAL) has been an integral part of my life for over ten years. I moved to this area in 2009. Knowing I wanted to volunteer in animal rescue, my approach was to visit all rescue organizations in the area. Without a doubt, PAL was the most dedicated, informed and progressive organization I encountered. The cats were in communal, living room type spaces with other cats. No one was in a cage unless he or she was ill or in quarantine. The dogs were in large, well maintained kennels with routine outside time and daily walks with well trained volunteers. In addition, PAL has professional dog behaviorist and trainer on staff.to not only prepare dogs for adoption, but also as resource experts for the community. One other unique feature at PAL is the well informed and committed volunteers and fosters, without whom the organization can not function as effectively. For example, one volunteer specializes in bottle feeding kittens. To date she has fostered over 100 babies. I could go on and on about PAL. Please do not hesitate to consider this organization as a gold star resource. Thank you
I have volunteered for Palmetto Animal League for several years. This is an organization I can stand behind! Without a doubt, they put the animals first. Their staff goes way beyond the call of duty. They have rescued and cared for so many animals that have come in from some of the most heartbreaking situations. I am proud to support them through fostering for them, donating to them, and publicly supporting them in community events. I personally have fostered over 100 cats for them throughout the years. They are always supportive and attentive to the needs of the animals, staff, and volunteers. My trust in them is so strong that this year I became a board member for Palmetto Animal League.
PAL is my happy place! Animals are my passion! Working with the staff is always a wonderful experience. I have been a part of this no-kill organization from the beginning and seeing it grow each year is a blessing to my heart. It has given me the opportunity to also lead an ANIMAL WELFARE CLUB at May River High School, giving kids the chance to get involved with lives that are worth saving!
Review from Guidestar
I am a volunteer dog walker at Palmetto Animal League. This great organization is not only a no kill shelter, but the dogs they rescue have a behaviorist who works with them to be sure they are successfully adopted. Puppies are socialized by trained volunteers, dogs go on outings off premises as often as possible, even for beach walks, and are walked on site everyday. They provide a low cost clinic for the community as well. This is an exemplary example of people working hard to help dogs and cats find forever homes!
Palmetto Animal League is a very special place where the animals are nurtured, loved, and assisted while they find them furever homes. This is a no kill shelter. When I first walked in I knew I would volunteer and became one of many dog walkers trained by their behaviorist. The staff even arranges weekend outings where we walk all the shelter dogs at a local beach or park to keep them happy and healthy. How cool is that?!
We regularly donate our time to volunteer at Palmetto Animal League. Seeing the smiles on the faces of our community members who adopt a cat or dog is priceless. The location is very well maintained and managed.
I love love love Palmetto Animal League! Talk about an organization that loves animals! The facility itself is up-to-date, clean, and geared towards the comfort and safety of animals. The staff and their volunteers are great. I use to be a dog walker for them (when my schedule permitted it) and they took time training me, not just for my benefit, but for the benefit of the animals. They take in so many animals, offering them medical care, attention, and love, and ensure that these dogs and cats go to great homes.
They also do so many community events for pet adoptions and community awareness. Definitely a great cause and an asset to our community!