My name is Margaret J Thompson, and I’m the Founder of Clemson Paw Partners. I’m excited to share the story of how Clemson Paw Partners began and what our aspirations are for the future, particularly as we strive to expand our reach and impact within the community and beyond, becoming a vital resource for pet owners and animal welfare advocates alike.
After dedicating 25 years to law enforcement with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, I retired in 2002 and transitioned to the private sector. I established Upstate Process Service, catering to the legal community by serving legal documents. Following a successful run, I decided to close the business in 2017, seeking a new way to contribute to my community. This led me to volunteering at the Pickens County Animal Shelter, an experience that profoundly changed my life and set the stage for the creation of Clemson Paw Partners.
That first day at the animal shelter was truly eye-opening. The conditions were heart-wrenching: dogs confined to concrete floors without bedding, sick and injured animals lacking proper medical care, all simply waiting for euthanasia. I knew immediately that I had to take action. This realization sparked a journey that would eventually give rise to Clemson Paw Partners, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals in our community.
My initial steps were focused on immediate relief. With the help of an experienced friend in animal rescue, we began moving dogs into foster homes, providing them with a safe and nurturing environment while awaiting adoption into their forever families. Recognizing the basic need for comfort, I reached out to another friend to secure elevated dog beds, ensuring the animals no longer had to rest on the cold, hard concrete. Within a week, generous donations allowed us to purchase 23 Kuranda dog beds. We didn’t stop there. We initiated collections of quality food for both dogs and cats and raised funds to install outdoor fencing, giving the dogs access to fresh air and sunshine. Despite these efforts, it was clear that more systemic change was needed, and this realization fueled the drive to establish Clemson Paw Partners.
In 2017, with the invaluable assistance of an attorney friend, I officially founded Clemson Paw Partners as a non-profit organization. Initially, we concentrated on fostering and adoption programs. However, the pressing need for affordable spay/neuter services quickly became apparent. We partnered with local veterinarians to offer discounted spay/neuter procedures, but the overwhelming demand quickly outstripped the available appointments. It was clear that to make a real difference in controlling pet overpopulation and reducing shelter intake, we needed a more sustainable and scalable solution.
A pivotal moment arrived in 2020 when Pickens County’s new administrator, Ken Roper, approached me with a transformative proposition: the county would provide a building if Clemson Paw Partners could establish and operate a low-cost spay/neuter clinic. Without hesitation, I accepted. In July 2020, we received the keys to a building at 115B Commons Way in Central, SC. Clemson Paw Partners undertook the significant financial responsibility of remodeling the former Magistrate’s building and equipping it with state-of-the-art medical equipment. Through unwavering dedication and nearly $200,000 in private donations, we transformed the space into a fully functional, low-cost spay/neuter clinic. Remarkably, we opened our doors debt-free in March 2022.
The impact of the Clemson Paw Partners Spay/Neuter Clinic has been profound. Before its opening, relying on outsourced services, we averaged around 100 spay/neuter surgeries annually. In just the first nine months after opening the clinic, we performed over 1,300 surgeries. In 2023, we anticipate tripling that number, significantly impacting pet overpopulation in our region thanks to Clemson Paw Partners.
Looking to the future, my goal is to expand our services further by opening an affordable veterinary clinic. The need for accessible and reasonably priced pet care is immense. Many loving pet owners face financial barriers when it comes to providing basic veterinary care for their animals. I firmly believe that we can bridge this gap, ensuring that more pets receive the care they deserve, and Clemson Paw Partners is committed to making this vision a reality.
In closing, I want to express my sincere gratitude to Pickens County Administrator Ken Roper, Pickens County Council, and Dr. Kim Sanders for their instrumental support in helping Clemson Paw Partners take flight. I also extend heartfelt thanks to our dedicated volunteers, whose tireless efforts are the backbone of our organization. Our vet techs, guest vets, and the entire community’s continued belief in our mission are what drive us forward.
Spay/neuter remains the most effective strategy for managing companion animal populations and preventing animals from ending up in shelters, facing the tragic possibility of euthanasia. Clemson Paw Partners is dedicated to championing this cause and expanding our services to meet the evolving needs of our community.
For The Paws,
Margaret J Thompson
Founder/President of Clemson Paw Partners
