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Horry County shelter to start graduated reclaim fees, microchipping and reduced spay/neuter rates on July 1
Summary
To address overcrowding, county shelter staff outlined a new graduated fee for reclaiming stray animals (starting at $25 for intact animals), a microchipping program for all intakes, expanded low-cost spay/neuter services, and a small municipal daily fee; the policy takes effect July 1.
The county animal-shelter presenter outlined changes intended to reduce overcrowding and improve reunification.
Under the plan, fees for reclaiming stray animals will be graduated: an intact animal will incur a smaller initial reclaim fee ($25) and fees will increase for repeat intakes. The shelter will offer reduced-rate spay and neuter services for owners who choose to sterilize before reclaiming their animals. The shelter will microchip every animal at intake so ownership can be transferred on the microchip record when an animal is reclaimed. The presenter also said the county is installing new kennel and clinic facilities to help capacity but emphasized that the primary tool to reduce overcrowding is spay/neuter.
The presenter said the changes will take effect July 1 and that some municipalities will be charged a small daily fee when they bring animals to the county shelter to help offset care costs.
