Exploring The World of Animal Shelters: An Inside Look At Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary

/ Charleston, Interviews, South Carolina / By Wondrous Drifter

An interview with Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary from Charleston, South Carolina.

Table Of Content

Introducing Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary
How did Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary Start? What Are The Challenges Encountered Along The Way?
Tell Us About The Most “Unusual” Animal That Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary Has Ever Taken.
Tell Us About The Most Unique And Creative Fundraising Campaigns That Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary Has Done.
Tell Us About The Most Rewarding Part Of Running Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary
What Do You Think Might Be The Greatest Challenge Of Running Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary?
Tell Us More About The Volunteers In Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary
Where Do Most Of The Animals In Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary Come From, And What Is The Process For Rescuing And Rehabilitating Them?
What Are The Busiest Periods, And How Does Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary Cope?
What Animals Does Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary Focus On?
Working With The Local Community
Tell Us More About Your Events
What Is Done Differently at Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary?
How Has Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary Adapted To The Challenges Presented By The Pandemic?
Share With Us Some Of The Heartwarming Stories Of Animals Rehabilitated And Rehomed By Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary
What Are The Help Needed From The Local Community?
Connect With Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary here:

Introducing Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary

I am Jennifer Middleton, the Executive Director at Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary. I work here because I believe there is a tremendous need for sanctuaries to fill an unmet need in No Kill Communities. I am involved to help spread the word about the sanctuary and the work done here.

How did Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary Start? What Are The Challenges Encountered Along The Way?

Founder, Helen Bradham would have a stray dog wander up to her property in Hollywood where she had a horse barn. She would list the dog in the local paper as a “found” dog, but if no one came to claim it, she was reluctant to take it to the overburdened local municipal shelter. She was supporting a small rescue but was frustrated that her money was not helping to improve the conditions in which the animals were living. She decided she could do a better job herself. The next stray dog that wandered up and went unclaimed, instead of taking it to the other rescue, she built it an enclosure with a nice elevated dog house, heat lamp, and hay bedding, took it to the vet to receive any and all needed medical treatment. After people started bringing unwanted pets to her, Hallie Hill was “borne” and she applied for nonprofit status.

Tell Us About The Most “Unusual” Animal That Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary Has Ever Taken.

Difficult to say. In the past, we have rescued horses, taken doves, squirrels, rabbits, guinea pigs, raccoons, sugar gliders, chickens and roosters, a pig and even one day a cow wandered up through the woods. We have taken an injured vulture and transported it to avian specialists. I think the most unusual call we ever got was from a woman who claimed a baby meerkat was in her backyard. We had to go and see what it really was. Turned out to be a baby raccoon. We also got a call a bald baby deer ran across the road and under a trailer. It turned out to be an emaciated, under-socialized dog with severe mange. We treated her health conditions, named her Holly, (Hairless Holly) and found her a loving adoptive family, even though she was still missing a lot of hair.

Tell Us About The Most Unique And Creative Fundraising Campaigns That Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary Has Done.

Each year we host a swim called “Laps for Love”. Each swimmer has an online fundraising page to get donations per lap or just in general. We also host an event called “Animals, Art, and Automobiles” which is a car show mixed with art vendors, a silent auction, and rescue animals available for adoption.

Tell Us About The Most Rewarding Part Of Running Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary

Seeing an animal go from sick/injured, frightened and shut down to a happy, healthy dog or cat. And getting “pupdates” or cat updates from adopters that show the new pet living large inside their new home.

What Do You Think Might Be The Greatest Challenge Of Running Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary?

The never-ending waves of animals and families need placement. It breaks my heart to turn animals away who need homes. Sadly, there are only so many any facility can accept without endangering the quality of care for those already with them.

Tell Us More About The Volunteers In Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary

Daniela Schneider is probably one of the most passionate and dedicated dog volunteers. She helps with everything from feeding, and medicating animals, to maintenance and fundraising! She came up with the idea to raise money with our local bridge run called Bridge the Gap, our annual swim fundraiser called Laps for Love and more. Daniela also adopted a dog from us.

With our cats, Cheryl Banas is one of our most dedicated. She works tirelessly trying to make the cattery clean and comfortable for our kitties. She has painted, bought cabinetry, sewn blankets, made toys, and is always planning improvement projects. Cheryl has adopted 2 cats from us.

A third that can’t be left out is Lynn Rosato who puts together and edits our email newsletter, takes animals to be highlighted on local tv stations, and helps out with all events in the community.

Where Do Most Of The Animals In Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary Come From, And What Is The Process For Rescuing And Rehabilitating Them?

Most of our animals are usually transferred from local shelters that are overcrowded. We try not to take the most adoptable, but the older or behaviorally challenged dogs that have less of a chance to be adopted. Rehabilitation is really different for each animal since they are all individuals. Some respond better to having more space, while others need limited space. Some will only develop in a foster situation.

What Are The Busiest Periods, And How Does Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary Cope?

I think summer is the busiest time for us. Because of the design of our facility, we have large open grass enclosures and the grass grows quickly. There is constant mowing in the summer. The dogs get pools to cool off and they have to be cleaned and refilled every other day if not daily. We also have numerous fundraisers in the summer. Demand for animals needing placement is busy all year really, just an increased number of kittens in the spring/summer.

What Animals Does Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary Focus On?

We are not breed-specific but tend to take animals that are under-socialized or who have lived outside only before coming to the sanctuary. That way the transition is easier for them. Many under-socialized dogs do well following another dog who is well-socialized to people. We call them helper dogs that will build the confidence of shy dogs. It is rewarding to find what will win over a dog. Many times it is treated, but sometimes it is toys or walks.

Working With The Local Community

We try to pull as many animals as we can from local shelters. Again, we try not to take the most adoptable, but those who are more challenged for one reason or another. We invite other rescues and shelters to our Animals, Art, and Automobiles event to set up a tent to showcase adoptable animals and we always tell people to check out the local shelters if they don’t find the right choice with us.

Tell Us More About Your Events

Always!!! Our golf tournament is June 26^thand our swim is TBD in August.

What Is Done Differently at Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary?

Not really anything too different from other shelters except we specialize in many of the less adoptable animals and that our adoption coordinator is a CPDT-KA and she is a terrific counsellor for adoptions who is a great resource to ensure success in the new home.

We also have a charming cabin dated to the late 1700’s early 1800 onsite that can be rented out.

How Has Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary Adapted To The Challenges Presented By The Pandemic?

It was not too hard continuing with adoptions during the pandemic since we often conduct adoption appointments outside anyway. It was difficult not having public events. The care of the animals never changed during the pandemic.

Share With Us Some Of The Heartwarming Stories Of Animals Rehabilitated And Rehomed By Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary

There are so many stories of older dogs surrendering because of their owner passing and family members being unable to take them. I think blind animals are most dear to my heart. We had a cat named Piper surrendered for urinating on furniture. When the owner brought her to us we immediately noticed her eyes were bulging from glaucoma. The owner admitted that her vet had recommended removing the eyes, but she said she didn’t want Piper to be blind. After a trip to the eye specialists, it was confirmed that Piper was already blind and probably had been in severe pain for a long time due to the high pressure. Surgery to remove her eyes transformed her into a completely different cat. She no longer hissed or urinated inappropriately and was adopted into a loving home. Piper could still chase and play with toys just by listening to them being pulled across the floor! She was amazing.