‘Even from a distance’: Lowcountry animal shelter raises donations after Colombia earthquake

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — The Charleston Animal Society is accepting donations for animals and pets in South America after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck parts of Colombia.

Through Friday, the animal society is accepting donations, including leashes, food, crates and other necessities for shelters that may have been destroyed in the earthquake.

“We’re here for other shelters, whenever there are disasters,” Kay Hyman, director of community engagement for the Charleston Animal Society, said.

Luigi Bravo, a member of the Charleston Animal Society board, is from Colombia and is leading the effort.

“It’s very important because they don’t have a voice,” Bravo said. “There’s a lot of dogs and cats who are at this moment lost, and definitely someone needs to take care of them.”

Hyman said the organization is there for any shelter and animal lover during a disaster, no matter where it is.

“We just want to be there for Colombia and their animals because from what I’ve heard, over 1,900 animals are displaced, as well as 30 [animal] shelters have been damaged or collapsed,” Hyman said. “When animals are in need, we want to step up at Charleston Animal Society.”

One woman bringing in donations on behalf of Summerville Pet Clinic is also from Colombia. She said she did not hesitate to help once she heard about the effort.

“It’s very hard to be here because we know that we are safe, but our people are not safe,” Laura Goulet with Summerville Pet Clinic said. “My family is safe, but my people are not safe, so we are always doing everything that we can to help, even from a distance.”

She said it’s been a collective effort from everyone.

“We just brought everything together, and then some clients, as well, helped to gather some stuff, and we got everything together very fast because, well, everyone loves animals,” Goulet said.

Bravo said helping the animals is also helping families in Colombia.

“They have to live and survive with them outside in the streets,” Bravo said. “With our little support, definitely that’s going to save some animals and some lives, and at the same time we’re helping the people who is in the stress because they have to protect the dogs and in a different situation,” he said.

As the pile of donations continues to grow, the Charleston Animal Society is accepting this round of donations until 3 p.m. Friday, before sending them to Colombia on Sunday.