Local Charity of the Month: Bridge Between Animal Rescue
In Charleston, we are fortunate to have numerous organizations dedicated to improving the lives of animals, and one that is my personal favorite is Bridge Between Animal Rescue. If you follow me on social you’ve no doubt seen some of the incredible things that they are doing, and of course you’ve also seen some of our sweet foster pups. This incredible local charity has been a lifeline for countless animals in need, offering shelter, care, and most importantly, a second chance at life. As part of our commitment to supporting this community, we’re excited to highlight Bridge Between Animal Rescue as our Charity of the Month and share how you can get involved in this vital cause.
Mission of Bridge Between Animal Rescue
Bridge Between Animal Rescue was founded with the mission to save homeless, abandoned, and neglected animals in the Charleston area. They focus primarily on rescuing dogs from high-kill shelters, offering them a safe haven while they await their forever homes. But their work doesn’t stop there—they also work tirelessly to provide education, resources, and support to pet owners in the community.
The rescue prides itself on its dedication to each animal's individual needs, providing medical care, training, and rehabilitation. They ensure that every animal is given the love and attention it deserves, whether that means finding them a loving adoptive home or helping them recover from trauma. Bridge Between Animal Rescue also places a strong emphasis on fostering, which allows animals to thrive in a home environment before they are placed for adoption.
About the Founder: Carly Hitchens
The heart and soul behind Bridge Between Animal Rescue is its founder, Carly Hitchens. Carly's passion for animals and commitment to their welfare stems from a deep-rooted love for dogs and a desire to make a meaningful difference in their lives. Before founding the organization, Carly worked in various animal rescue roles and saw firsthand the challenges that animals in shelters face, especially those in high-kill environments.
Her experiences led her to establish Bridge Between Animal Rescue with a vision of offering a "bridge" for animals in need—providing them with the resources and care they deserve while waiting for a new chapter in their lives. Carly’s approach is deeply compassionate, and she is committed to ensuring that each animal is treated as an individual with unique needs. Under her leadership, the organization has grown to rescue and rehabilitate hundreds of animals, helping them find loving homes across the country.
Carly and her team’s drive to create a positive change for homeless animals, has been instrumental in the rescue’s success. They work tirelessly to create partnerships with local shelters, animal lovers, and volunteers, always with the goal of reducing the number of animals in need of a safe and loving home.
How You Can Get Involved
Bridge Between Animal Rescue relies heavily on the support of the community to carry out its life-saving work, and there are numerous ways to get involved:
Foster a Pet
One of the most impactful ways to help is by fostering a dog or cat. Foster homes provide a safe, nurturing environment where animals can thrive before they are ready for adoption. Whether you're looking to foster temporarily or long-term, this is a wonderful way to make a difference in an animal's life. As a personal example, we've been fostering for about a year, and some of our guests include: the sweetest coonhound, Daisy, a trio of lively Sheepadoodle pups, a medical miracle, Odin, a cool pup Knox, and most recent a compassionate and silly plott hound, Basin. It has been such a joy to have them in our home, and fostering has given us the chance to make a direct, positive impact on their lives as they wait for their forever home.Adopt
If you're ready to add a furry member to your family, consider adopting a pet from Bridge Between Animal Rescue. There are always a variety of animals in need of loving homes, from puppies to senior dogs, and adopting is one of the most rewarding ways to help. Every adoption provides a fresh start for an animal and ensures that more lives can be saved.Donate
Bridge Between Animal Rescue is a non-profit organization that depends on the generosity of individuals and businesses. Donations help fund medical care, food, supplies, and other necessary expenses for the animals in their care. Whether you choose to make a one-time donation, or a recurring monthly, every dollar goes directly toward saving animals in need.Volunteer
Volunteering your time can be just as valuable as making a financial donation. Whether you’re assisting at adoption events, helping with administrative tasks, or lending a hand to transport pups, volunteers play a crucial role in the rescue’s success. If you’re passionate about animals and want to make a hands-on difference, volunteering is a great way to get involved.Spread the Word
If you're not in a position to foster, adopt, or donate, you can still make a huge impact by spreading the word about Bridge Between Animal Rescue. Share their posts on social media, tell friends and family about the organization, or help promote upcoming adoption events. Awareness is key to finding forever homes for the animals in their care.
The Joy of Fostering
Fostering animals through organizations like Bridge Between Animal Rescue can be one of the most rewarding experiences. As we’ve learned while fostering, the bond you build with a pet can be incredibly fulfilling. These pups have brought so much joy into our lives—their sweet, gentle, and sometimes silly nature have made them each a beloved member of our home, even if only temporarily.
While fostering can sometimes be emotional when it’s time to say goodbye, knowing that you’ve played an essential role in helping an animal find its forever home makes it all worthwhile. Every foster home is one step closer to creating a world where every animal has a loving family to call their own.