Columbia Animal Services

05/30/2026

It is Foster Friday…🚢 Don’t let this Tugboat sail away! 🚢

Mila aka “Tugboat” came to Columbia Animal Services at the end of March after being confiscated. When she first arrived, she was incredibly shy, reserved, and unsure of the world around her. But thanks to the patience and love of her foster home, Tugboat is finally beginning to blossom into the dog she was always meant to be.

Every day, she’s gaining confidence, learning new things, and discovering how much fun life can be. Tugboat enjoys the company of other dogs who share her calm, easygoing energy.

While she can be a little cautious at first, once Tugboat trusts you, she becomes the most loyal companion. More than anything, she loves being near her people and will happily be your best friend forever.

Tugboat is crate training and is almost fully house trained. She’s still learning the ropes of being a dog, but she’s making incredible progress and is ready for a family that will continue showing her how wonderful life can be.

Could Tugboat’s next stop be her forever home? 🏡❤️

Basic info about Tugboat: ⬇️

🪪 Shelter ID: A306353
🩷 S*x: Female
🕰️ Age: 3 years
⚖️ Weight: 35 lbs
❤️‍🩹 Medical: Spayed, microchipped, UTD on vaccinations, HW -
📆 With CAS since: March 30, 2026
🐶 Dogs: Tolerant but friendly
🏠 Crate trained

✨ Click here to submit a Meet and Greet Inquiry for Tugboat! 🔗 https://forms.columbiasc.gov/250657481340860

05/29/2026

Today is National Heat Awareness Day! 🥵☀️

As temperatures rise across the Carolinas, it’s so important to remember that pets are far more susceptible to heat-related illness than humans. Sadly, our shelter sees multiple heat stroke cases every year, and they can be absolutely devastating. Heat stroke can happen much faster than most people realize, even at temperatures lower than you’d expect.

Knowing the warning signs could save a life- your pet’s life, or another. Heavy panting, excessive drooling, weakness, vomiting, disorientation, or collapse are all signs of a medical emergency. Prevention is key: always provide pets with access to COOL water (water temperatures in bowls and buckets rise quickly), proper shade, and shelter, and NEVER leave a pet in a car during warm weather- not even for a few minutes. 🚗🚫

🚨 Being a responsible pet owner means staying informed and helping protect animals in our community. If you notice a pet suffering from lack of resources during hot weather, please report it. ⬇️
📍 City of Columbia Animal Cruelty/Neglect:
(803) 776-PETS (7387)
📍 Richland County Animal Cruelty/Neglect:
(803) 929-6000
‼️ Animal cruelty concerns can also be reported to your local police department or through Midlands Crime Stoppers:
http://www.midlandscrimestoppers.com/sitemenu.aspx?ID=585

⭐️ Does someone you know need help providing adequate shelter for their dog(s)? If so, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also reach out to our partner organization, , and they will do whatever they can to help you keep your pet(s) safe. They can be emailed at [email protected].

Please help us spread awareness and keep pets safe, cool, and protected this summer. ❤️

05/29/2026

05/28/2026

Meet our adoptable pups! 💙 No matter what size, shape, color or personality you're looking for, we have so many amazing dogs who are waiting for their forever families- waiting for YOU!

Our shelter is FULL‼️ and fostering or adopting WILL save lives. Please consider visiting us in the coming days to help us clear space, make a difference, and add a special four-legged someone to your life. You won't regret it.

💔 To view those most at-risk, please visit our rescue page, COC Animal Services Rescue Needs.

🏡 Become a foster! Fostering saves lives. Learn more and apply at https://animalservices.columbiasc.gov/foster-program/

📍 Location:
Columbia Animal Services
127 Humane Lane
Columbia, SC 29209

⏰ Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday: noon-5 P.M.
Saturday: 9 A.M.-4 P.M.
Sunday: CLOSED

🐾 Foster questions: [email protected]
🫶🏼 Volunteer inquiries: [email protected]
🛟 Rescue Requests: [email protected]
🏡 Rehoming Resources: [email protected]
🪩 Marketing Inquiries: [email protected]

05/26/2026

Did you miss Mayor Daniel Rickenmann's Dog of the Week last week among the holiday weekend craziness? Have no fear- Nyla is here (and still eagerly awaiting her forever family!) 💙

Nyla is a playful, affectionate young girl who loves toys, cuddles, and being close to her people. She’s a busy bee who’s extrmely social with strangers and friendly with other dogs- in fact, she earned “Playgroup Rockstar” status at the shelter, getting along well with dogs of all sizes and personalities! With her respectful play style and great greetings, she would likely thrive with a playful canine companion in her future home.

Nyla is house trained, crate trained, knows “sit” and “down,” and does well with older kids (her larger size and higher energy level may be a bit much for younger children). Nyla can be a little timid with new things at first, but she adjusts quickly with encouragement and reassurance. Her confidence has only grown during her time in her foster home!

Nyla would do best in an active home that can match her playful energy while also giving her plenty of love and companionship. She’s been in and out of the shelter for some time now (she's somehow become one of our longest-term residents!) and deserves the stability and security of a permanent home. She’s ready to bring fun, affection, and lots of personality to her forever family.

👀 Interested in meeting Nyla? 🏡 She is currently in a foster home. Submit a Meet and Greet Inquiry here!
🔗 https://forms.columbiasc.gov/250657481340860

ℹ️ Basic info about Nyla: ⬇️

🪪 Shelter ID: A297892
🕰️ Age: 1 year
🩷 S*x: Female
⚖️ Weight: 50 lbs
❤️‍🩹 Medical: Spayed, microchipped, UTD on basic vaccines, HW-
🗓️ With CAS since: October 31, 2025
🐶 Dog social
✅ House and crate trained
🦋 Social butterfly and adventure lover

05/26/2026

Meet this weeks ABC Columbia Pet of the Week, Koi!

This sweet girl was sadly abandoned a couple months ago and has been patiently waiting for the loving home she deserves. Koi is currently one of our longest-term residents and is on our Length of Stay list, but she hasn’t let that dim her loving spirit one bit.

She’s known for her affectionate personality, her love for splashing around in the pool during playgroup, and for simply being the BEST girl. 🏖️🐶

Koi is more than ready to trade shelter life for a forever family. Could you be the one to give this amazing girl her happy ending?

Basic info about Koi: ⬇️

🪪 Shelter ID: A295919
🩷 S*x: Female
🕰️ Age: 4 Years
⚖️ Weight: 56 lbs
❤️‍🩹 Medical: Spayed, Microchipped, UTD on vaccines, HW -
📆 With CAS since: March 31, 2026
🐱 Cats: Friendly
🐶 Dogs: Friendly

Columbia Animal Services is introducing you to their newest Pet of the Week named Koi, who's ready to play with her forever family!

05/24/2026

We’ll be closed TOMORROW, May 25th in honor of Memorial Day. We will reopen on Tuesday for our usual hours of operation. (12 p.m.-5 p.m) Thank you, endlessly, to those who have and who continue to serve our great nation. 🇺🇸


Please don’t forget that all puppies and kittens (one year and under) have their adoption fees waived through the end of the month for our “New Kids on the Block” adoption special!

🐶🐱 Please also keep in mind that puppies and kittens are a lifelong commitment. We cannot guarantee breed or the size that a dog or cat may become once fully-grown. Please consider this when adopting! 🙏

All pets are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and up to date on basic vaccines at the time of adoption. Our standard adoption fee for pets over the age of one year is $35. All dogs on our “Length of Stay” list (at risk) have their adoption fee waived as well.

Please come in and take a chance of a pet in need- whether you foster or adopt, you’re sure to help save a life! 💙

➡️ Questions? Please email us at 📧 [email protected]

05/23/2026

Don’t forget! Our “New Kids on the Block” promotion is still going on through May 31st! 🐾💙

All puppies and kittens 1 year and under have waived adoption fees as we work to create much needed space in our puppy nursery and kitten banks during the busy spring season. 🌸🐶🐱

Puppies and kittens may be tiny now, but they grow up fast. Please keep in mind we cannot guarantee adult size or breed, as we do not DNA test our animals.

🌟 Every adopted pet is spayed/neutered, microchipped, and up to date on basic vaccines at the time of adoption.

📆 May 1–31, 2026

📍 Columbia Animal Services
127 Humane Lane
Columbia, SC 29209

⏰ Adoption Hours:
Monday–Friday: 12 P.M.–5 P.M.
Saturday: 9 A.M.–4 P.M.
Sunday: CLOSED

05/22/2026

Meet this week’s Foster Friday featured pup- it’s Chop! ✨

Chop is a sweet, loving girl with so much love to give. After a recent trial adoption that wasn’t the right fit (through no fault of her own), she’s back with her foster family and settling in wonderfully. She’s a retired mama dog whose best years are still ahead of her.

She’s medium in energy and enjoys daily walks, car rides, chew toys, cuddling on the couch, and being close to her people. Chop is affectionate, playful, intelligent, loyal, and very in tune with her humans. She already knows sit, down, stay, and come, walks beautifully on leash, and has shown no reactivity toward people or dogs.

Chop can be shy at first and is sensitive to loud noises and fast movements, so she would thrive in a calm, patient home where she can continue building confidence. She is friendly with strangers, children, dogs, and has been calm and social around cats. She may do best with dogs closer to her size who can be calm and respect her space and boundaries.

She is still working on house training and crate training and has some mild separation anxiety, but she continues to make great progress with routine and reassurance.

Some of Chop’s favorite things include belly rubs, chest scratches, watching TV, playful zoomies, and curling up for naps. She’s a deeply loving dog who just wants to feel safe, included, and part of the family.

👀 Interested in meeting Chop? She is currently in a foster home. 🏡 Submit a Meet and Greet Inquiry here! 🔗 https://forms.columbiasc.gov/250657481340860

ℹ️ Basic info about Chop: ⬇️

🪪 Shelter ID: A304933
🕰️ Age: 3 years
🩷 S*x: Female
⚖️ Weight: 43 lbs
❤️‍🩹 Medical: Spayed, microchipped, UTD on basic vaccines, HW+
🗓️ With CAS since: January 7, 2026
🐶 Dog social/tolerant
🐱 Cat friendly
👶 Kid friendly

‼️ REMINDER: CAS will treat heartworm for any heartworm positive pet at no cost to the adopter, so long as supplies are available. Heartworm disease is treatable and non-contagious. ❤️‍🩹🪱