The Humane Society of Lexington County merges with PETS, Inc.
Contributed by APETS, Inc., The Carolinas Humane Society

Gail Strickland, founder of the Humane Society of Lexington County announced that after six years of working hand-in--hand with PETS, Inc., the two agencies will join together to share a common board of directors and a new name. The new organization will be called APETS, Inc., The Carolinas Humane Society.

Jane Brundage, co-founder of PETS, Inc. said, "Our new name is a natural because we have been assisting families throughout the Carolinas for many years. We have been providing services for a number of other rescue agencies in both North and South Carolina, and, in many cases, have taken over their activities when they were unable to continue."

PETS, Inc. has worked with agencies and individuals in Aiken, Greenville, Seneca, Florence, Edisto, Sumter, McCormick, Walterboro, Charleston, Lancaster, Rock Hill, Orangeburg, Blackville, Newberry, Winnsboro, Camden, Myrtle Beach, Summerton, Lake City and a host of North Carolina cities and towns.

In 1994, Gail Strickland established HSLC, the first cooperative nonprofit program to partner with Lexington County Animal Control Services, effectively creating an adoption program that required all impounded animals be spayed or neutered prior to adoption.

Historically, HSLC has provided educational programs and materials to address overpopulation and responsible animal care issues to schools and church groups. "They have been the research arm for PETS, Inc. and have been instrumental in defining the areas of greatest need so that when our programs are implemented our efforts can be maximized," said Brundage.

"We have come full circle now," said co-founder and president, Pat McQueen. "When Jane and I established PETS, Inc in 1991, we hired Gail to be our director. We became an incredibly effective trio. Even though we have been working together, this merger means we really have her back. And that feels good."

Strickland now lives in Charleston but commutes regularly to Columbia for both business and animal rescue activities. "With internet access and conference calling, we might as well be in the same city. We can do anything that needs to be done," said Strickland, who will serve as Board Chairwoman.