News and Announcements

Conway, South Carolina – The Horry County Animal Care Center was awarded a $51,060 grant from PetSmart Charities® to Trap Neuter & Return 1,000 free-roaming cats in the 29526 zip code (Conway area) to reduce the feral population in Horry County. The Horry County Animal Care Center will host four public education meetings regarding the project to explain the purpose of the project, how the project will be accomplished and how the public can get involved with the project. Below is a listing of the upcoming meetings that will be held in the Horry County Government & Justice Center (1301 2nd Avenue in Conway) in Multipurpose Room B:

• Tuesday, January 15, at 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, January 22, at 4 p.m. and at 6 p.m.
• Thursday, January 31, at 3 p.m.

This initiative will aim to reduce the number of kittens being born, thereby lowering the number of cats that enter the Animal Care Center. Our goal is to reduce the number of feral cats by breaking the cycle before the kittens are even born, through a Trap-Neuter-Return program. The 29526 zip code has been identified as the location of where the most intakes of feral and free-roaming cats are brought in to the center.

Along with spay/neutering 1000 free-roaming cats, the grant will also provide those cats with a rabies vaccine and will be ear-tipped, before they are released. The ear-tipped is universally recognized as a sign that a cat has been neutered. “Stray and feral cats are the greatest source of the center’s overpopulation,” stated Kelly Bonome, Operations Manager for the Horry County Animal Care Center. “If we can assist in breaking the cycle of reproduction, these free –roaming cats will be less of a nuisance to our community.”

For more information about the services of the Horry County Animal Care Center, please log onto www.horrycounty.org or visit them on Facebook. They can also be reached at 915-5172.

About PetSmart Charities
Established in 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues and promote healthy relationships between people and pets. The largest funder of animal-welfare efforts in North America, PetSmart Charities has provided more than $165 million in grants and programs benefiting animal-welfare organizations and has helped save the lives of more than 5 million pets through its in-store adoption program. To learn more about how PetSmart Charities is working toward its vision of a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS (7387).

Conway, South Carolina – The Bucksport Branch of the Horry County Memorial Library, located off of Highway 701 South, will close for renovations on January 31 for a couple of months. We hope to open the new-improved library in spring 2013.

Library renovations will include the reconfiguration of space to make more room for 12 computers and more space for programming. The library will also receive new carpet, a fresh coat of paint, new furnishings and shelving. Mobile shelving will also be installed, which will allow more space options to accommodate patrons and various programs that are hosted in the library. Bucksport Library will be the first public library in the state to install such mobile shelving that will be accessible to the public. “We are excited to rejuvenate the Bucksport Library and update the interior to make it a more pleasing experience for our customers,” stated Clifton Boyer, Horry County Memorial Library Director. “The renovations will also make the space much more functional for staff and allow us to alter the space as needed for specialize programs and events.”

The Horry County Memorial Library system has nine library branches countywide to include Conway, Aynor, Green Sea/Floyds, Loris, North Myrtle Beach, Socastee, Stephens Crossroads and Surfside Beach. For more information on the Horry County Memorial Library, please go to www.hcml.org.

Conway, South Carolina – All Horry County offices, other than public safety operations, will be closed on Monday, January 21, 2013, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday. Regular courts may be in operation in the Horry County Government & Justice Center and all jurors, witnesses, etc. will be required to be present.

Conway, South Carolina – To help inform citizens of the new photo identification requirements for voting, Horry County Registration & Elections will hold two public seminars.

The photo identification bill was passed prior to the 2012 General Election and took effect January 1, 2013. Both meetings will take place at the Horry County Government & Justice Center, 2nd Floor Multi-Purpose Rooms, 1301 Second Avenue, Conway.

Dates: January 24, 2013 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
February 5, 2013 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

For more information, contact Horry County Registration & Elections at 843-915-5440.

Conway, South Carolina – The Horry County Animal Care Center will hold a vaccination clinic, 17 January 2013, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the animal shelter located at 1923 Industrial Park Road in Conway. The Clinic will offer the following services:

• Distemper/Parvo $10--must be at least 8-weeks old (canine)
• Bordatella $10--must be at least 8-weeks old (canine)
• Rabies $10--must be at least 4-months old (canine & feline)
• Microchip $15--must be at least 8-weeks old (canine & feline)
• Rhinotracheitis/Calici $10--must be at least 8-weeks old (feline)

Dogs and cats are both welcome; dogs must be on a hand-held leash and cats must be in a pet carrier.

The Animal Care Center will be holding these clinics monthly.

For more information, contact the Horry County Animal Care Center at (843) 915-5172.