Hallie Hill News | Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary

Meet Mary Malarkey and Olive

Sep 16, 2024

Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Mary Malarkey, A Champion for Special Needs Dogs

Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary is fortunate to have wonderful volunteers like Mary Malarkey. Mary grew up in Washington, DC, and graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1981 with a degree in Microbiology. After graduation, Mary embarked on a career for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), serving the public proudly for over 32 years. Mary has always been drawn to the water, and after falling in love with Charleston, decided to make it her permanent home in 2021. Mary now resides on Johns Island with her rescue dog Milo Louie, and her Partner, Rob. Mary is a proud stepmom, Grandma Mary to six, Oma to one, and has recently welcomed her fourth great-grandchild.

Mary’s lifelong love for animals was deepened by her 15 years of volunteer experience at a rescue group in Maryland. Upon retiring, Mary wasted no time getting involved with Hallie Hill and has become a valuable member of our volunteer team here at the Sanctuary. Special needs dogs hold a special place in Mary’s heart. She finds it incredibly rewarding to connect with and see these dogs open up after all they have endured. One such dog is Olive, a sweet and shy soul who came to us from an overcrowded shelter. Olive struggled at first and was very timid around people. With Mary’s tender love and care, Olive has begun to open up and make tremendous progress.

Mary’s enthusiasm extends beyond the animals – she cherishes the relationships she’s built with other volunteers and has described it as a privilege being able to work with such caring folks. Thank you Mary for your unwavering commitment to Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary, our animals, and our team.

In Memoriam: Judith Phillips Hanzel

Aug 25, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Judy Hanzel, a cherished friend and benefactor of Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary. Judy’s legacy will live on through the lives she touched and the positive impact she made on our community. We are deeply grateful for her contributions and will continue to honor her memory by striving to fulfill our mission of providing care and sanctuary for animals in need. As we mourn the loss of a true friend, we also celebrate the extraordinary life Judy lived. Her spirit of giving and love for animals will remain in our hearts forever.

Meet Jess Smith and Molly

Aug 15, 2024

Jess is pictured here with Molly who arrived at Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary in the worst condition you could imagine. Molly was severely emaciated with an extreme mammary infection that caused numerous open wounds that covered her entire chest and abdominal region. Molly is healthy now and available for adoption, so complete an application at Dog Adoption Application Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary if you would like to schedule an appointment to meet her.

Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary is fortunate to have a dedicated team of volunteers, each bringing unique experiences and passions to our mission. One such remarkable volunteer is Jess Smith, whose journey from central Illinois to Charleston has been filled with adventure, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to animal wellbeing. Jess’s story begins in central Illinois, where she spent her early years. Her academic journey led her to the bustling streets of New York City, where she attended college. In 2016, Jess made a life-changing move to Charleston, a decision driven by her love for the coastal city’s vibrant culture and warm community. Professionally, Jess excels in her role in sales at Wolters Kluwer, a leading software company. Despite the demands of her career, she finds time to dedicate to Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary, showing that her passion for animal wellbeing is as strong as her professional drive. Jess’s love for dogs is evident in every aspect of her life. When she isn’t working or volunteering at Hallie Hill, she spends her time with her own beloved dogs Reece and Iris as well as her gecko Stella. Beyond her dedication to animals, Jess is an adventurer at heart. She enjoys traveling to new places, experiencing different cultures, and finding hidden gems in every destination. Her love for live music and concerts often takes her to various venues, where she indulges in her passion for melodies and rhythms. Jess also finds time to share her love of the great outdoors by taking some of the Hallie Hill residents on excursions to explore new places whether it’s hiking trails, parks, or simply enjoying the beauty of nature in a local Sniff Spot. Jess is also a self-proclaimed foodie, always on the hunt for the best culinary experiences Charleston has to offer. We at Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary are incredibly grateful for Jess Smith’s dedication and hard work. Her enthusiasm, compassion, and diverse interests enrich our community, making her a valuable member of our volunteer team. If you see Jess around the sanctuary, be sure to say hello and thank her for all that she does. Her journey and contributions are a testament to the impact one person can make in the lives of animals and the community. Inspired by Jess’s story? Consider joining our volunteer team at Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary. Together, we can continue to provide a safe haven for animals in need and create a more compassionate world.

Welcome to Hallie Hill

Aug 8, 2024

We’d like to welcome the following pups to Hallie Hill! If you are interested in adopting any of these precious pups, you can fill out an application here. Although Hallie Hill does not do same day adoptions, you can take the first step by filling out an application. Meet and Greets and adoptions are scheduled by appointment only.

Astra

Baron

Bingo

Dove

Dillon

Mallory

Dandy

Mellow

Roo

August’s Adorable Adoptable’s

Aug 2, 2024

These adorable animals, Baron, Gizmo, Homer, and Dr. Pepper are up for adoption this August. Fill out an application to come out to HHAS to meet these wonderful animals! Hallie Hill conducts meet + greets and adoptions by appointment only. If you would like to fill out a dog application for any of these sweet pups, click here! If you would like to fill out an application for a cat, please click here!

Baron!

Baron is a remarkably handsome boy. Short and stout, he’s built like a tank. His personality is incredibly sweet, enough to melt your heart. He has interacted well with other dogs at the sanctuary and has shown great friendliness to everyone he has encountered.

Gizmo!

Gizmo, an endearing hound mix, is brimming with love to share. He is house-trained and needs a fenced-in backyard. While he may be cautious around strangers at first, he warms up and becomes loving with his family once he gets to know them. Gizmo is full of energy but gets anxious around lawnmowers. In the sanctuary, he has lived in harmony with other dogs.

Homer!

Homer, a sizable hound, is highly motivated by food. He gets along wonderfully with both people and other dogs and remains playful despite his age. Homer is a staff and volunteer favorite who would really enjoy an air conditioned home for his senior years.

Dr. Pepper

Dr. Pepper is a charming 1-year-old cat with a sleek black coat. Dr. Pepper enjoys the company of other cats and has a calm demeanor that makes him easy to love. He’s affectionate without being overly pushy, making him a delightful companion for both play and relaxation. If you’re looking for a cool and collected kitty with a touch of sweetness, Dr. Pepper is your guy!

Behind the Scenes at LowCountry Live

Jul 31, 2024

On the second Wednesday of each month, Hallie Hill is privileged to be featured as the ‘Furry Friend of the Day’ on Low Country Live! Everyone at the station (WCIV/4) is always so welcoming and Erin Kienzle (Host), Tom Crawford (Host), Mario Rivera (Director) and Sandra Ecklund (Producer) do a fantastic job making our animals look their very best! We are so appreciative of the opportunity to highlight our adoptable animals, and to invite the people of Charleston to support Hallie Hill’s mission of rewriting their futures!

Mischief sniffing out our set!

Erin Kienzle and Mischief.

Here are the cameras and teleprompters.

This is a big, shiny room! At one end is the GMC set, the other, LCL!

The weather green screen.

New at the Sanctuary- Dog Daycations!

Jul 22, 2024

We’re excited to introduce our new “Dog Daycations” program, where our shelter dogs and volunteers get to enjoy a fun-filled day together. Volunteers can take a shelter dog out for an adventure, whether it’s a stroll in the park, a refreshing swim, or other enjoyable activities. This initiative not only gives our dogs a delightful break from the shelter environment but also offers volunteers a rewarding experience of companionship and joy.

Enrichment is a wonderful thing for a shelter animal and having the opportunity to participate in new experiences and explore the world is the most valuable kind of enrichment (unless it’s getting their very own home!) The dogs learn A LOT and we learn A LOT about the dogs! It’s a WIN-WIN. Become a Tier 3 Volunteer and go on a Dog Daycation! You’ll be glad you did!

Check out what our volunteers have to say about their experiences with our “Dog Daycations” program and get to know some of our wonderful dogs! Read their heartwarming stories and see how these special outings have created unforgettable moments and strengthened the bond between our shelter dogs and their human companions.

Meet Kelly Ackerman & Clayton

Jul 15, 2024

Clayton arrived at Hallie Hill from an overcrowded local shelter where he had been adopted and returned for being an adept ‘escape artist’. At Hallie Hill, Clayton has been exemplary, but he has recently begun to suffer from storm anxiety. This condition is worrying during the sudden thunderstorms common here in the summer. We administer medications and shelter him in the barn, yet our greatest wish is to find him a loving home where he can find solace in a closet or under a bed during storms.

Kellie Ackerman, a Lowcountry native, adores spending time with her 2.5 dogs – she counts her mother’s rescue Pit Bull as half hers!

She enjoys time with family and friends. Kellie can often be found on the water, fishing or boating, and she has a passion for travel. Kellie holds a special affection for all the animals at Hallie Hill, particularly Clayton, who captures her heart by reminding her of Poncho, her own youngest dog who also has a wild spirit. Volunteers such as Kellie are instrumental in providing the necessary enrichment for dogs like Clayton who live at the sanctuary while they wait for adoption.

Mark Your Calendars: Laps For Love

Jul 13, 2024

We’re getting ‘Soggy for the Doggies’ on August 17th with Laps of Love!

Join Jennifer and Lynn on our Facebook page (Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary) for Facebook Live broadcasts from the event, all morning long! Meet our valued swimmers and sponsors, special dogs and cats, track lap totals, and see how close we come each hour to our fundraising goal!

Help us help our deserving animals and go to halliehill.com to pledge your support for the swimmer(s) of your choice!

DIY Doggy Ice Cream

Jul 10, 2024

Treat your four-legged friends to a delicious and healthy treat with this easy recipe for dog-friendly ice cream! Made with only a few wholesome ingredients that are safe and nutritious for dogs, this recipe is perfect for a hot day.

Start by warming 1/2 cup of peanut butter (make sure it doesn’t contain Xylitol or Birch Sugar as it is highly poisonous to dogs) in the microwave until it’s easy to stir. Mash a ripe banana in a bowl and mix in 1 cup of plain natural yogurt. Add one teaspoon of honey to the banana and yogurt mixture, then stir in the melted peanut butter until everything is well combined. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 6 hours. Your furry friend will adore this homemade frozen treat; you can be sure it’s made with only safe and healthy ingredients!