CHARLESTON, S.C. (July 21, 2015) – The Charleston Veterinary Referral Center (CVRC) – a premier advanced-care veterinary hospital in the region – is pleased to announce that it has entered into a corporate partnership with Pet Helpers, a non-profit, no-kill shelter, adoption center and spay/neuter clinic located on James Island.

In addition to providing financial support to the shelter, CVRC will be working with them to provide free emergency and specialty veterinary services to pets under their care. While CVRC has financially supported Pet Helpers for a number of years, this increased support and more formal relationship will now provide Pet Helpers’ animals with the resources that CVRC has to offer, including emergency services, surgeries, diagnostic tools and other specialty services.

“Community involvement has always been part of the fabric of CVRC, and we feel honored to have the opportunity to give back to the community that has been so welcoming to us,” said David Sachs, DVM, Medical Director of CVRC. “The partnership with Pet Helpers is one way that we are accomplishing this, and we are very excited about working with this group of exceptionally talented and dedicated individuals.”

Founded in 1978, Pet Helpers Adoption Center and Spay/Neuter Clinic is one of the foremost animal shelters in South Carolina, serving the people and the animals of the Lowcountry. Pet Helpers is widely recognized for its no-kill, innovative and caring solutions to the problems created by pet overpopulation. Among its core missions is one that is shared by CVRC – to help pets that have found their way into the shelter system find forever homes – and CVRC has made a commitment to help Pet Helpers with the medical needs they face every day.

“Pet Helpers is thrilled to be partnering with one of the Southeast's premier emergency and specialty facilities,” said Kim Almstedt, Director of Development and Marketing, Pet Helpers. “We recognize CVRC as one of the leaders in cutting-edge medical technologies and care, and we welcome them to the Pet Helpers’ family of supporters. Their help will allow us to save more animals’ lives!”

CVRC staff will also be getting involved in other ways. They will be working with Pet Helpers on their campaign called “Unchain Charleston,” in which CVRC’s staff, along with Pet Helpers’ staff, will build fenced areas, thus freeing dogs that have been living on chains. CVRC will continue to support Pet Helpers’ annual Fur Ball and Oscar party events, to help them raise funds for the work they do.

“Formalizing this relationship with Pet Helpers feels good to everyone and we are thrilled to be able to provide them with increased services,” said Dr. Sachs.

About Charleston Veterinary Referral Center
Founded in 2011 by Alan Green, DVM and David Sachs, DVM, the Charleston Veterinary Referral Center (CVRC) is a leading small animal referral and emergency hospital located in West Ashley, SC, just outside of Charleston. Specialties include emergency medicine, critical care, internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, oncology, physical rehabilitation, sports medicine, dentistry, and surgery – including orthopedic, soft tissue and minimally invasive. CVRC’s board certified veterinary specialists see animals by referral from the patient’s primary veterinarian. Its cohesive team of veterinary professionals and staff are dedicated to practicing the highest caliber of medicine and surgery. The facility is open and staffed for emergencies 24 hours a day/365 days a year. For additional information, emergency resources and recently added features for referring primary care veterinarians and pet owners, please visit http://charlestonvrc.com. Regular updates are also provided via CVRC’s Facebook page.

About Pet Helpers Rescue and Adoption Shelter
Founded in 1978, Pet Helpers is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) Rescue and Adoption Center and low-cost Spay/Neuter & Veterinary Center that serves communities across the Lowcountry. Its mission is to end the euthanasia of all adoptable cats and dogs by keeping all animals until adopted; providing low cost spay/neuter surgeries; offering humane education programs; pursuing animal-cruelty prosecution; and initiating animal-welfare legislation. For more information, please visit http://www.pethelpers.org.