Dorchester Paws

Dorchester Paws, formerly known as Frances R. Willis SPCA, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals in Dorchester County, South Carolina. Dorchester Paws is the only open-admission shelter in Dorchester County, serving towns including Rosinville, Ridgeville, Oakbrook, St. George, Summerville, and Grover, SC. Partnering with Dorchester Code Enforcement, we take in every lost, abandoned, and abused animal and provide them with food, shelter, and medical attention until they find their forever home.

We strive to instill humane principles into society through the prevention of cruelty to animals by championing responsible pet ownership, ending unnecessary euthanasia, and ending over pet population. We are dedicated to reducing pain and fear in our community’s animals and are proud to say that our staff and volunteers are fear free certified.

Our shelter was established in 1972 by Frances R. Willis with land donated by Kapstone. Dr. Brunson Westbury and Frances R. Willis worked to get the road built and land cleared to open the facility. Over the years, the shelter has been expanded, but we continue to reach and exceed our capacity because our community is growing and the pet overpopulation crisis is not abating.

Dorchester Paws strives to instill humane principles into society through the prevention of cruelty to animals.

Dorchester Paws is a partner in the “No Kill South Carolina Coalition.”  Since the beginning of 2017, we have made significant improvements to our shelter and the quality of care we provide to the animals. Our euthanasia rate has been steadily reduced, and we have not euthanized for time, space, or money since January 2017. We are committed to meeting the live release rate of the national average. In 2021, we had an overall live release rate of 93%.

We are excited to announce that we will be joining No Kill South Carolina in their mission to make the whole state no-kill by 2024! Together we can create a no-kill community!