Help us “Bridge The Gap” at this year’s Cooper River Bridge Run


If there is one thing we are reminded of on a regular basis it is how wonderful the community support is for Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary.
Recently, we have seen the community share its generosity through our Medical Equipment Sponsorship program. Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary is excited about opening our new medical care facility – The HUB! This will allow us to treat our dogs and cars onsite rather than transporting them to veterinarians in the community.
As we work toward fully outfitting The HUB, we need some medical equipment to become a full-service veterinary clinic. Community members have already helped us purchase several key pieces, and we hope to complete all of our medical equipment purchases by the end of the month.
We are asking for our generous supporters to consider sponsoring our major remaining equipment needs, such as a countertop autoclave, anesthesia machines, oxygen concentrators, pulse oximeters, dental scaler and polisher, and so on.
If you or someone you know is interested in sponsoring equipment please visit: https://www.halliehill.com/hub-medical-sponsorship/. All sponsorships will include recognition signage honoring the donor(s) for their generous support of Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary.
When you think of the month of February, what comes to mind? For many, February is the month of LOVE! At Hallie Hill, we can’t think of a better way to spread and experience love than by taking on a new furry companion. From kittens to puppies, we have many furry friends waiting to find their forever home.
Holly is a charmingly sweet girl who arrived at Hallie Hill accompanied by a large litter. Although she’s somewhat more reserved than her siblings, she would be a wonderful addition to any family, whether they have another cat or not! Holly is relatively calm. She enjoys affection but is not demanding.
Nova is a medium-sized rat terrier mix with a unique, charming look and a wonderful personality to match. She’s friendly, great with people and other dogs, and loves spending time with her humans. Nova is eager to please and ready to be your loyal companion, though she’ll need a little help mastering the leash. If you’re looking for a loving, playful, and spirited addition to your family, Nova is February’s Adorable Adoptables!
Click here to fill out an application to come out to HHAS to meet these wonderful animals!
Where in the world is Michelle?! Many of you know that our very own Michele Griffin is on an incredible journey in India. In India, Michele is studying the lives of street dogs in a country with a dense population. In her time here, she aims to learn more about street dogs and their profound resilience.
Anyone who has met Michele knows that her passion for animal welfare and deep compassion for all animals make her the perfect person for this experience. In India, she is working to gain insights into how we can improve the lives of the pups in the world! Michele aims to better the lives of the dogs she encounters in India and those we care for at Hallie Hill.
At Hallie Hill, many of our pups are rescued from off the streets, and their personalities range greatly. Through Michele’s work in India, her newly acquired knowledge will be the catalyst to help our dogs who are less socialized or not as well adapted as the rest. As we continue to follow her journey, we can’t help but miss her warm presence and the dedication she brings to our sanctuary! While we anxiously await her return, we know that her experiences in India will only further enrich our mission here at Hallie Hill. Michele – we can’t wait to see you back at Hallie Hill and see your work come to life first-hand!
At Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary, we are grateful for every adopter who opens their heart and home to one of our animals. Each adoption is a step toward giving these animals a life of love and comfort.
However, some adopters stand out for their willingness to take on the extra challenges of caring for pets with special needs or senior animals. In recent months, we celebrated the adoption of two cats with severe skin issues caused by allergies.
Jeannie Golden adopted Pooh into her family, and Megan Drinkwater took home little Bailey, who had yet to grow her hair back! The adopters knew the cats had conditions that required costly veterinary care and consistent, specialized care at home. Their dedication to providing these cats with the treatment and attention they need is inspiring, and it’s a powerful reminder of the profound difference adopters can make for animals who need just a little extra care.
Senior pets, too, often face challenges when finding their forever homes. Yet many people with big hearts are stepping up for seniors at the Sanctuary…
Daniela Schneider recently adopted 15-year-old French Fry, a chihuahua with arthritis and only one tooth but a joie de vie beyond compare.
Alex and Marit welcome Sparkles (Junebug), a senior Shiatzu, into their lives. Sparkles require daily eye medications and frequent grooming, which are made more challenging by her dislike of both processes. Despite this, Alex and Marit are committed to providing Sparkles with the care she needs and the loving home she deserves.
Adopting a pet is always a meaningful act of compassion, but taking on the additional challenges of special needs or senior animals requires a special kind of love. To all our adopters—we are endlessly thankful. You remind us every day that there is no limit to what a caring heart can achieve.
For those considering adoption, we hope these stories inspire you. Whether it’s a spry kitten, a graying senior, or an animal with special needs, every pet at Hallie Hill is waiting for its perfect match. Together, we can continue to give these deserving animals the lives they deserve.
Thank you for being part of the Hallie Hill family!
As we wrap up another incredible year at Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary, we want to take a moment to reflect on our tremendous impact on the Charleston community in 2024. From saving lives to expanding our reach, this year has been a remarkable chapter in our story, and we are beyond excited about what 2025 will bring.
2024 has been a year of tremendous growth for Hallie Hill, and we are grateful for the continued support of our dedicated staff, volunteers, donors, and the community at large. With your help, we have rescued, rehabilitated, and rehome approximately 400 animals, providing lifesaving vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, medications, parasite prevention and treatment, proper nutrition, and, most importantly, love and care. Every animal that came through our doors was given a chance at a better life, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our incredible community. In addition to providing critical care to animals, we’ve been actively involved in community outreach, raising awareness about responsible pet ownership, dog bite prevention, the importance of spaying and neutering, and the challenges surrounding the overpopulation of pets in our area. Our educational programs and collaborations with local schools, shelters, and animal welfare organizations have allowed us to make a lasting difference in the lives of pets and people.
Looking forward to 2025, we are thrilled to announce the opening of our new Animal Care Center, “The Hub.” This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a central location for our medical and wellness services, allowing us to care for even more animals in need. The addition of this facility will not only enhance the quality of care we can provide to the animals at Hallie Hill, but it will also play a pivotal role in our ability to serve the broader community. The Hub will include an expanded medical center equipped with advanced diagnostic tools and a dedicated space for surgeries, treatment, and recovery. This will enable us to offer veterinary services that were previously unavailable, helping to improve the health and well-being of animals across the Lowcountry.
But “The Hub” isn’t just about medical care—it will also serve as a catalyst for expanding and improving our other programs. With more space and resources, we will be able to:
• Increase Our Volunteer Program: Volunteers are the backbone of our sanctuary, and with “The Hub” in full operation, we can offer more volunteer opportunities and training to help people get involved in meaningful ways. Whether it’s providing care/enrichment, assisting with events, or helping with administrative tasks, there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone to make a difference.
• Expand Our Education Program: Expand our educational efforts to include dog bite prevention for all ages. By helping children, families, and communities understand how to interact with dogs safely, we hope to reduce the risk of injuries while promoting a safer, more harmonious relationship between people and pets. Our dog bite prevention program has been well-received, and we are excited to continue growing this initiative in the coming year
• Expand Our Foster Program: Foster homes play a crucial role in the lives of many of
our animals, and with the resources available at “The Hub,” we can offer more support to our foster families. This includes providing training, supplies, and medical care to ensure the success of every foster placement.
• Strengthen Our Community Outreach: We are committed to building stronger relationships with the local community, and the opening of “The Hub” will allow us to expand our educational programs and events. From free wellness clinics to pet adoption drives, we will have the space and facilities to offer more events that help raise awareness and support the needs of local pets and their families.
In addition to the opening of “The Hub,” we are thrilled to announce the groundbreaking for the next phase of our sanctuary buildout: a new Cattery designed to house 80-100 cats. This much needed facility will provide a safe, comfortable, and spacious environment for our feline residents, giving them the best possible chance for adoption. The new cattery will also allow us to improve more cats’ lives, reduce overcrowding, and create a peaceful space for socialization and rehabilitation.
The opening of “The Hub” and the new cattery represent the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary. It’s a chapter that will allow us to do even more for the animals and the community we love so much. But none of this would be possible without the incredible support we receive from you—our donors, volunteers, and advocates. Your dedication makes all the difference, and we are deeply grateful for your continued commitment to our mission. We are filled with hope and excitement as we look toward the future. The road ahead is bright, and we can’t wait to share the next steps of our journey with you.
Thank you for being a part of the Hallie Hill family. Here’s to a new year filled with growth, compassion, and endless possibilities for the animals in our care.
Warmest regards,
Jennifer Middleton, CAWA, Executive Director, Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary
The holiday season can be stressful for all, including your four-legged friends. With all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to overlook how certain holiday traditions can affect your pets. Some holiday elements are unsafe for our furry companions, so check out these tips to ensure your holidays are stress-free, pet-friendly, and fun for the entire family!
1. Food Dangers
Many foods are toxic to pets during holiday feasts. Keep your pets away from chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, alcohol, and fatty foods. Instead, treat your pets to pet-friendly snacks so they can safely join the celebration.
2. Keep the Wires Hidden
Holiday lights, decorations, and electrical cords are a big draw for curious pets, especially puppies and kittens. Keep them hidden or covered.
3. Loud Noises
Holiday parties can be loud; music, fireworks, or music can make your pet stressed. Putting your cats and dogs in a quiet place allows them to relax and feel safe.
4. The Christmas Tree
Pets love trees, and a toppled tree can injure your pet and ruin the celebrations. If you can anchor your tree and keep ornaments, tinsel, and tree water out of reach, these can be harmful if ingested.
5. Watch Out for Candles
Candles are a staple in holiday décor but pose a risk to pets. Pets could accidentally knock them over, or their tails could brush against open flames. Always use flameless candles or place real candles where pets can’t access them.
Click here for even more tips to keep your pets safe during the holiday!
It’s finally time for our 2024 QUILT RAFFLE! For just $5, you can purchase a raffle ticket with a chance to win one of these stunning handmade quilts! To increase your chances, you can also buy a five-pack of tickets for the discounted price of $20. Tickets are available for purchase until Monday, December 16; the winners will be drawn on December 18. We will announce the winner on Facebook and Instagram and will also send an email to the raffle winner.
The quilt design name is “Dresden Squared.” Each square makes a beautiful sunburst of colors with the unique fabric chosen for this year’s quilts. Fanciful animals and pretty petals make up this delightful “Flora and Fun” collection of fabrics from Robert Kaufman. Subhashini Narayanan designed these bright and cheerful prints featuring colorful creatures all around us and equally colorful flowers and foliage.
Subhashini is an artist, illustrator, and surface designer known for her whimsical, dreamy art. She paints joyful contemporary designs using watercolor, gouache, and ink. Her work is inspired by all things nature. She’s passionate about colors, shapes, patterns, and texture in nature. Her artwork is in fabrics, wallpapers, stationery, wall art, apparel, and more.
Both handmade quilts in this year’s raffle are made with 100% pure cotton fabric and are throw size. They are made by local artist and longtime supporter of Hallie Hill, Donna Gamble.
Meet Mike Gibbons, our new Director of Development! Mike has spent more than a decade in nonprofit fundraising, having worked in the arts and in human services. Prior to his time working with nonprofits, Mike spent 15 years in journalism as a newspaper editor, reporter and photographer. Mike lives in Mount Pleasant with his wife, Jen. They met when they were students at the University of Alabama way back in the 1990s! Mike and Jen have two grown children – Parker, a naturalist and herpetologist, and Allie, a school psychologist. Originally from Aiken, Mike moved to the Lowcountry in 2014.
Mike’s lifetime love of animals makes him the perfect match for Hallie Hill! Mike and Jen have a long history of having rescues join their family, starting with Montgomery in 1994. He was followed by basset hound Maggie, Dachshund Murphy and boxer Maddux, as well as Delilah the cat. While the Gibbons’ do not currently have any furry friends, their home is host to several reptiles and amphibians. We welcome Mike to the Hallie Hill family and look forward to working together to make the Sanctuary even better!
I had the best dog daycare with Porter! I forgot how awesome the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens was for dogs! All the different smells, so much space, and the best part – other animals!
Porter loved people greeting him, watching boats go down the Ashley River, smelling all the flowers/plants, and walking over the swamp bridges. The best part was introduced to the many horses, a donkey, a peacock, and even a sulcata tortoise! One of the horses was super friendly and would keep coming towards us at the fence.
I loved seeing Porter’s border collie/herding breed really come out in him! He was such a happy boy. We ended our adventure with a delicious lunch at the Peacock Cafe in Magnolia. Porter was a good boy who was just people/dog-watching.
Chloe enjoyed some lunch with us today at The Washout on Folly Beach…Unfortunately, it was raining the whole time we were out, but we made the best of it. Chloe learned that she loves flounder! She enjoyed getting some love and pets from the bartender and waitresses.
She is such a sweet, smart, and pretty girl. At first, she was a little unsure by all the loud noise, especially the cars, but she quickly became more relaxed. We even took a little stroll on the beach. She wanted to greet every person that came by.
Thanks for making our day, Chole, and we hope we made yours.