A South Carolina animal shelter overflowing with hundreds of kittens is attracting attention from “The Righteous Gemstones” actor Tony Cavalero, The Post has learned.
Cavelero described himself as an animal person. His mother was a veterinary technician and he grew up with a menagerie that included dogs, turtles, various birds, rabbits and hamsters, and nine cats — at one time, he told The Post.
Cavalero and his wife, actress Annie Cavalero, have two rescue dogs.
“I think it’s really important to rescue and adopt animals,” he said.
“I think it’s really important to rescue and adopt animals,” he said.
The “School of Rock” actor also uses social media to spread the animal shelter’s desperate appeal for people to take in and adopt kittens.
The Charleston Animal Society has 604 kittens in its system, along with 79 cats, 27 puppies and 98 dogs — plus five rabbits and guinea pigs. But there’s only room for 250 animals, said Kay Hyman, a spokeswoman for the shelter.
Joe Elmore, CEO of the Charleston Animal Society, described the situation as “catastrophic” in a press release.
The no-kill shelter takes in 95% of Charleston County’s stray and unwanted animals. Overcrowding is currently a problem as June is the peak of kitten season. The problem is exacerbated by fewer spay/neuter surgeries during the pandemic and development in Charleston forcing stray animals out of hiding, Elmore said.
Cavalero, who recently joined the cast of the upcoming film “Lips Like Sugar” alongside Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson, volunteered even before the shelter declared the kittens’ situation a “crisis” on Friday, Hyman said. She said the actor spent time at the Charleston Animal Society on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
He said he would return there next week.
“We’ll accept any help we can get,” Elmore said.
This is the third time in Elmore’s 12 years at the shelter that the facility has had to declare a state of emergency due to overcrowding with kittens, the executive director said. “This is the only time in those 12 years that I’ve had to provide an additional air-conditioned trailer,” he added.
The trailer houses sick kittens, and more cats are becoming ill due to overcrowding. In addition, the shelter has set up pop-up kennels in the hallways.
“It’s not ideal,” Elmore said. “The animals are getting sicker.”
If you are interested in fostering, adopting or donating, visit the Charleston Animal Society website.
