BLYTHEWOOD – Hoof and Paw Benevolent Society President Kathy Faulk, left; Alice Nixon holding Lily; Kate Williams, director of CAB; and Christy Rew, member of Hoof and Paw, make a donation to CAB for dog and cat food to aid senior citizens in caring for their pets.
“It is because of our supporters that this program is possible,” Faulk said. “Thanks to a very special matching donor, all donations to Hoof and Paw this year will be matched up to $50,000.”
BLYTHEWOOD – The Hoof & Paw Benevolent Society returned to in-person gatherings with their first regular monthly meeting after more than a year on Saturday, June 5.
The group met at Tweedberry Farm in Ridgeway for a covered dish picnic and a K9 Agility demonstration. Alison Carter, the owner and operator of Carolina Performance K9s in Columbia, set up an abbreviated course at the farm and showed off the agility skills of her champion Border Collie, Passion. Passion breezed over jumps, wove through poles, darted through tunnels and showed off several impressive tricks, all of which brought cheers from the audience.
Hoof and Paw members had a lot to celebrate, including a wider outreach in the Midlands area through funding numerous spay and neuter clinics, funding lifesaving heartworm treatments for animals in shelters and rescues, organizing rescues for animals in need, providing pet food to senior citizen pet owners and more.
To join Hoof and Paw, or assist them in their mission, please visit them on Facebook at HoofandPaw SC or reach out to them by email at hoofandpawsouthcarolina@gmail.com.
RIDGEWAY – The Hoof and Paw Benevolent Society debuted its much anticipated coffee table book last week in a special reception that paid tribute to the sponsors and volunteers who made the book a reality.
“They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, this book was our baby and you were our village. Without all of you this would not have been possible,” fundraiser chairman and Blythewood horsewoman Minge Wiseman told the crowd of supporters who filled The Farm at Ridgeway’s reception hall last week.
The 160-page hardcover book, underwritten by philanthropist and Blythewood horsewoman Joyce Martin Hill and her husband George, grossed over $100,000 and features photographs of dozens of local dogs, cats and horses and their human families. Many of the animals pictured are rescues, now living the good life. The photos of the loved and loving animals reflect Hoof and Paw’s vision for all animals.
The books were paid for by pet owners who shelled out from $400 to $1,000 for glossy, full page photos of their dogs, horses, cats and other animals. Professional photographers Dr. Robert Buchanan, Harold Dodson, Kelly Garin, Morgan Auld and Megan Timmerman donated their time and talent during the summer to snap photos at farms, lakes and other bucolic settings. The Farm’s owners, Larry and Eileen Sharpe, donated the use of the venue for the event which was catered by Olde Town Hall Restaurant in Ridgeway. Musicians Kristi Hood and Richard Maxwell entertained.
Hoof and Paw also raffled the book cover to pet owners. For $25, anyone could enter their pet’s photo in the contest. The winning photo was submitted by Blythewood horsewoman Kit Turner of her two Cocker Spaniels, Hannah and Heaven, and her cat, Tuk.
“Artist Mary Bliss very graciously donated her time and talent to turn the photo into a beautiful painting that appears on the book’s cover,” Wiseman said.
“It’s always a wonderful moment to see your work bring so much pleasure to its owners, and it was an honor for me to have been able to work on this piece for Minge and Hoof and Paw,” Bliss stated.
A highlight of the reception was a special unveiling of the painting which was then donated by the artist to Turner, bringing her to tears.
Created in 2012 to advocate for and support animal welfare in Fairfield County, Hoof and Paw – now Blythewood-based – has evolved into a formidable Midlands fundraising organization that benefits South Carolina animals and shelters through financial support and community awareness.
Last year, the organization helped finance a spay and neuter campaign in conjunction with the Fairfield County Animal Shelter and assisted the County shelter in achieving its goal of becoming a no-kill facility. The group has more recently taken its battle to the front lines of county courtrooms and the state capital, turning its attention to lawmakers in an aggressive move to strengthen animal abuse laws in the state.
“We have worked very hard to fix what we believe are laws lacking in the ability to protect animals and ensure that animal abusers are held accountable for their actions,” the group’s president Deborah Richelle stated.
“It’s a battle that sometimes seems never-ending, but then on days like today when we are surrounded by supporters and we see these pictures of the animals, some of whom we helped saved, it gives us the boost that we need to go out and fight another day,” Richelle stated.
But these efforts take money – lots of money. Addressing the crowd of about 200, Richelle explained in simple terms what Hoof and Paw is about.
“We are not a rescue organization, and we are not a shelter. We just ask for money,” Richelle told the crowd who responded with appreciative laughter.
The coffee table book has been the nonprofit organization’s most aggressive and successful fundraiser to date, according to co-chairman Kathy Faulk.
“It’s amazing, it truly is. We had no idea this project would be so wildly popular and successful,” Faulk stated.
In past years, Wiseman said the organization mainly fundraised through local yard sales and other small events that brought in around $1200 each year. She said the success of this year’s fundraiser will allow the organization to increase its support to local rescue groups.
“There are so many animals in shelters that need homes, but they often need medical treatment that shelters can’t afford. And, of course, the shelters sometimes need money for food and supplies. That’s where we come in,” Richelle stated.
Faulk said the photos in the book will serve as a touching memento to the people who purchased pages. Each was presented a copy of the book at the end of the evening.
“There were about 14 animals featured in the book that have since passed away. The photos that we have included will be a special way for their families to remember them,” Faulk said.
“It was a wonderful get together of like-minded people,” attendee Addie Walker stated. “A wonderful evening.”
Several books are available for sale. To purchase one, to make a donation or for more information about joining Hoof and Pay, call Wiseman at 803-960-9770 or Faulk at 803-429-3509.
WINNSBORO – For a brief moment, Fairfield County’s new animal control ordinance seemed like it might freeze in its tracks.
In the end, however, Fairfield County Council voted 5-0 Monday night on final reading of the new ordinance, which increases fines up to $500 and more specifically defines offenses.
Councilman Dan Ruff abstained and Councilman Mikel Trapp was absent.
With a motion to approve third reading on the floor, Ruff introduced a motion to table third reading. The motion to table failed 4-1.
Ruff said he agreed with the spirit of the ordinance, especially areas addressing animal cruelty, but he also thought other elements required further review.
“There is still some fine print before this is finalized,” he said. “I think it would be better to totally have it clear.”
Council Chairman Billy Smith asked Ruff for specifics, and Ruff pointed to previous comments from William Coleman, a farmer from Blair who expressed concerns during the opening public input session.
Like Ruff, Coleman said he supports cracking down on animal cruelty, but also argued that some provisions aimed at residential owners shouldn’t apply to farmers.
For example, he thought leash laws shouldn’t apply to hunting dogs, nor should they apply to herding dogs.
“I’m in the cattle business,” he said. “Does this mean a cattle dog has to be under restraint when we go to work our cows?”
Council members said the ordinance’s intent isn’t to leash farmers, and Smith pointed out that most of the concerns mentioned were already addressed in the ordinance. Council also noted the ordinance adopted Monday night was merely a starting point to close loopholes governing mostly residential owners.
“It’s definitely better than what we have in place right now,” said Councilman Cornelius Robinson. “It’s like a car, we can fine-tune it in the future.”
It’s been 11 years since Fairfield County last updated its animal control ordinance.
It also took more than a year of discussions between the county and concerned residents to craft the revised ordinance.
Two council members, including Ruff and Smith are leaving the council at the end of the year, which would’ve placed the ordinance’s fate up in the air after new council members are sworn in January.
“I find it necessary we go ahead and do this ordinance tonight,” said Councilwoman Bertha Goins. “We need to lock this in tonight so that we have something to start with.”
Fairfield County’s updated ordinance comes following a series of investigative reports by The Voice, which found that almost nobody charged with animal cruelty in the past 18 months received any jail time.
Though those prosecutions were for state crimes that the solicitor’s office prosecutes in state court – the county ordinance only addresses magistrate level offenses – the lack of prison sentences galvanized public interest in updating the county ordinance.
Highlights of the new law include:
Mandatory reporting of any pet struck by a motor vehicle or bicycle
More detailed definitions of nuisance animals
Pets must be fed at least once a day and have potable water
Tethers are allowed, but must be at least 12 feet long and no more than 15 percent of an animal’s body weight.
Smith, the council chairman, had said during the Nov. 26 meeting, that he hoped tighter rules regarding swing chains could be incorporated. On Tuesday, though, he said, there wasn’t enough time to include that verbiage as it was difficult to clearly define and since he said his chief goal was for the ordinance to pass by the end of the year.
“Our regard for life, human or animal, is all related. It’s so very important and a reflection of who we are as human beings,” Faulk said.
COLUMBIA – The Hoof and Paw Benevolent Society’s second annual Evening in the Garden promises to be every bit as elegant and fun as last year’s.
Organized to benefit animals and held at Woodley’s Garden Center, the Evening will include many valuable silent auction items including clothing and accessories from the top women’s boutiques in Ridgeway and Columbia and top men’s clothiers in Columbia. There will also be tickets to great venues in Charleston – a dinner cruise, carriage rides, museums and restaurants.
Must-buys are donations from Howle and Howle jewelers, as well as equine massages and ferrier trims and shoes, pottery, jewelry and a $250 gift certificate from Trinity Window Cleaning.
“We’ll have fabulous food, a lovely evening garden filled with white lights, live music and cozy settings,” organizer Kathy Faulk said. “Dress is smart casual and dogs on leashes are welcome. It’s going to be an evening to remember – so many nice items to purchase for yourself or for very special Christmas gifts.”
The event’s attendees will be the who’s who of horse people and animal lovers. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased from any Hoof and Paw member or go to hoofandpawsc.org more for information.
An Evening in the Garden is set for Thursday, Oct. 25, from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Woodley’s Garden Center located at 1067 Woodley’s Way in Columbia (off Two Notch Road).
BLYTHEWOOD – Four top Blythewood and Winnsboro Photographers as well as two newcomers have been donating their time and talents to help the Hoof & Paw Benevolent Society raise what the group hopes will be about $50,000.
The photographers are shooting high end photos of pets (dogs, cats, horses, etc.) that will appear in an upmarket Coffee Table book titled ‘Friends of Hoof & Paw,’ The cost for pets to be in the book, with or without their people, ranges from $200 to $1,000. The money raised will be used by Hoof & Paw to make lives better for those pets who do not have owners who love and care for them. The owners who include their pets in the book will receive a copy of the book at no charge. Book will be available to the general public at cost which the group estimates will be about $60.
Hoof & Paw Board member, Minge Wiseman, who is heading up the book project, said the cost to produce the book will be about $20,000 has been underwritten by Blythewood philanthropist Joyce Martin Hill, who owns Farewell Farm. Wiseman said proceeds from the sale of the photo pages will go to fund spay/neuter surgeries, heartworm treatment and other needs at both large and small animal shelters and rescue organizations throughout South Carolina.
The project began the first of the year and, for the last two months, Wiseman has been scheduling photographers for the pets’ close ups.
Photographers Robert Buchanan, Harold Dodson, Janice Haynes, Kristy Campbell Massey, Kelly Garin, a pet photographer new to Blythewood, and Morgan Ald, a recent graduate from the University of South Carolina with a degree in photography, shoot several settings each week. Some of the photos are taken in the pet owners’ homes, at The Farm at Ridgeway, at Doko Manner and other scenic venues.
Buchanan frequently posts the resulting photos on his Facebook page.
“Hoof & Paw is creating a book of these beautiful creatures as a means to fund those organizations that rescue animals. it is quite an undertaking,” Buchanan said, “and I feel privileged to be asked to participate.”
Another, less expensive way for pet owners to participate in the book project is the cover lottery.
“People can submit photos of their pets to be considered for the cover. Cell phone photos are acceptable. One image will be selected and it will then be painted and that painting will be be used for the cover of this year’s book. The best part is that the owner gets to keep the painting…at no charge.
To submit a photo for consideration, go to www.hoofandpawsc.org. The cost is $25 per submission and that money will be used to help Hoof and Paw produce and design the book. Submission deadline for the cover contest is May 31.
“Our goal for the book is 130 pages,” Wiseman said. “So far, we have 106 pages, so we are doing well and have had a wonderful response from the community.”
As the deadline is drawing near for inclusion in the book, pet owners who would like their pets to be included should call 960-9770 as soon as possible.
COLUMBIA – Fairfield County residents and Hoof and Paw Benevolent Society board members Paula Spinale, left, and Kathy Faulk and Blythewood resident and board member Deborah Richelle, right, joined Rep. MaryGail Douglas at the Humane Society Lobby Day at the State House in Columbia last week where they witnessed the Senate’s vote to pass the animal welfare bill S841 that addresses tethering, shelter restrictions and myriad issues of animal cruelty.
BLYTHEWOOD – Hoof & Paw Benevolent Society members gathered at the Crickentree Country Club in Blythewood to plan their forthcoming year of fundraisers that will enable the group to provide support to local animal organizations, including the Fairfield Animal Shelter and Adoption Center.
First event will be the Love Your Pet Valentine benefit on February 10 at the Tractor Supply on Killian. Seated clockwise from left front: Kathy Faulk, Mary Ann Ferris, Deborah Richell, Margurite Ferguson, Carol Crooks and Sonja Murphy.