West Columbia to test new animal shelter this fall

Dogs, cats and other animals captured in West Columbia that are strays or have roamed away from home will go to a different shelter this fall.

A 90-day test of services with Pawmetto Lifeline will start shortly.

The switch comes after City Council ended a longtime agreement with Pets Inc.

Pawmetto Lifeline offers a broader range of services, Mayor Joe Owens said.

Both shelters are no-kill operations. “It was important to us to keep that intact,” Owens said.

West Columbia picked up 139 dogs and 159 cats during the past year, according to a report to council members.

This story was originally published August 5, 2015 at 5:43 PM.