Will a new animal shelter be located in Myrtle Beach? Here’s what we know
The Grand Strand Humane Society has tentatively made a deal with Santee Cooper that would allow it to build a new animal shelter.
On Nov. 14, the Horry County Council passed a resolution expressing support in the humane society partnering with Santee Cooper to build and open a new shelter.
The electricity company is offering a “gratis” or free lease to the Grand Strand Humane Society. If approved by the Santee Cooper board of directors, the humane society will lease out 5 to 7 acres of land near the Myrtle Beach International Airport.
The Grand Strand Humane Society did not immediately respond to message left Thursday.
Santee Cooper Public Relations Specialist Tracy Vreeland said the company offers the gratis lease to various community-focused organizations.
“It will be fantastic to be able to help the Grand Strand Humane Society,” Vreeland said. “I know they’ve been struggling with finding a new place to set up.”
The tentative agreement comes nearly five months after the humane society’s failed attempt to build a new shelter along River Oaks Drive. The plan was met with push back from neighbors who did not want a shelter in the area.
The Grand Strand Humane Society currently handles dog adoptions in its building along Mr. Joe White Avenue and cat adoptions at the Tanger Outlets along U.S. 501. There is capacity for 73 dogs and 113 cats yet it may host more, according to past reporting. The animal shelter has been open since 1972 and expanded in 2001.
On a poster for a community adoption event, the shelters says, “We have surpassed CRITICAL capacity and have ZERO SPACE for any additional animals.”
WMBF News reported that through Myrtle Beach’s Capital Improvement Plan, the city will offer $500,000 to help with the project on top of the $250,000 it gives annually to help run the shelter.
This project will take several years to complete. The humane society hopes to break ground in early 2025 and take 12 months to build the shelter, according to WMBF News.
This story was originally published November 16, 2023 at 2:36 PM.
