Welcome to Dog Town USA (Southeast)

Dog Fancy, the world’s most widely read dog magazine, has named Charleston the winner of Dog Town USA’s Southeast Region in 2014. The publication’s annual award is given in recognition of America’s best cities for dogs and their human champions.
Each year Dog Fancy asks readers to nominate an American city that represents the very best in dog-friendly accommodations. The editors then carefully research each city and name the winner based on the presence of dog-centered activities, dog-friendly businesses, dog parks, veterinarian specialists, pro-dog legislation, rescue programs, and other canine criteria. The year’s national winner was Austin, Texas. Along with Charleston, other regional winners included Eureka Springs, Ark. and Gettysburg, Pa.
The Charleston Animal Society entered the Holy City and is extremely proud to have been named a regional winner. Charleston’s progressive programs on adoption and rescue played a large part in the application process. “Thanks to the support from everyone in the community, Charleston County continues to be the first No Kill Community in the Southeast,” said Charleston Animal Society Chief Executive Officer Joe Elmore.
In West Ashley, Ackerman Park, located at 55 Sycamore Ave., has one of three dog runs located in the city’s park system. Additionally, the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS) has awarded its highest certification to West Ashley’s Charleston Veterinary Referral Center, making it one of only six Level I Certified Veterinary Hospitals in the nation and the only facility in the Southeast to attain this designation.