SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY - 2026

SOUTH CAROLINA RESCUE

SUCCESS STORY 

Sometimes, it seems that no matter how hard you work, how much time and effort you spend in making things better for the unwanted, dumped and ignored companion animals, it just isn’t enough, has never been enough and may never be enough.  We take our bright moments, and hold them tightly, and stuff the bad ones deep in our pockets.  This week, had both of those moments.

Save Our Strays helps to support numerous feral colonies through our rescue partners, feeders and suppliers.  One such colony is in South Carolina.  Our feeder noticed two new faces, one a big, mature, “man-cheeked,” classic pattern boy.  No ear tip.  We set plans in place to get him trapped, but tragically, he was hit by a car the day the traps were set.  Takes the wind right out of your sails….

The other cat was a new, non-tipped, slimmer, orange tabby.  We assumed it was a boy, since 80 to 85% of orange cats are male.  He was shy, but with some encouragement, warmed up enough to be talked into going into a carrier for tuna.  Once in the carrier, we were surprised that he settled right down, almost as though he were relieved.

We took him right to the veterinarian, where he was easily handled, determined to actually be a spayed female and had a registered microchip!  BINGO!!!  The owner was identified and contacted.  Shayla had been missing for 7 months.  She got out when a family member came to stay.  Her owners put up signs, called animal control, posted on lost and found pets on social media, set traps near the home, and reported her missing to the chip company.  They did absolutely everything right.  They’d just about given up hope, and were over the moon when we contacted them to say we had Shayla safe.  She was reunited with her people that same day.  The wind was now back in our sails.

Your donations make it possible for us to continue to be available for, not only the cats and dogs we are able to pull into our pipeline for care, sanctuary or adoption, but also those who live in managed colonies.  Without our feeders, who are very aware of their “regulars,” i.e.: who is missing, who is acting ill, who is new, Shayla’s story may have had a very different ending. Thank you for your support!