The Humane Society of York County is looking for homes for Zara, a cat who has spent 548 days at the Fort Mill shelter, and Triscuit, a senior dog who recently completed treatment for heartworms.
Both animals are spayed, vaccinated, microchipped and tested, and both are available to meet now at the shelter on Regent Parkway.
Zara
Zara came to the shelter as an owner surrender through no fault of her own, according to shelter volunteer Mary Beth Knapp. Staff estimate she is about 3½ years old.
She spends her days in the shelter’s Cat Lounge, where she mixes with the other cats and, by the shelter’s account, tends to run the room. Knapp described her as the life of the party who can also turn reserved when the mood strikes. “She’s a cat,” Knapp wrote. “She holds all rights to be what she wants when she wants.”
The shelter hopes to place Zara with a single adopter, a couple or a family. Visitors can meet her in the Cat Lounge or call to set up an appointment.
Triscuit
Triscuit arrived as a stray and is estimated to be 11 years old. She tested positive for heartworms at intake, and the shelter put her through treatment. She has since been cleared.
Shelter staff describe her as relaxed and sweet, with a strong interest in treats. She gets along with small dogs but does not do well with cats, and the shelter is looking for a quiet home where she can spend her senior years.
Pit Bull Appreciation Month
The shelter is also marking Pit Bull Appreciation Month this October. Knapp noted that “pit bull” is not a single breed but a broad term for a type of dog developed in 19th century Britain by crossing Old English Bulldogs with Old English Terriers. The shelter recommends positive reinforcement training paired with early socialization and consistent structure for the breed type, and it currently has several pit bulls available for adoption.
How to help
The shelter is asking for donations of clay cat litter, laundry detergent, bleach and both hard and soft dog treats. Volunteers can also take home clean laundry to dry and fold, then return it.
Other ways to help include fostering, volunteering at the shelter or at the Pawsibilities thrift shop at 2144 Carolina Place in Fort Mill, donating gently used items to the shop, and shopping the shelter’s eBay store.
So far in 2026, the shelter has placed 554 animals, 118 dogs and 436 cats, in permanent homes.
To meet Zara or Triscuit, call the Humane Society of York County at 803.802.0902. The shelter is located at 8177 Regent Parkway in Fort Mill, and adoption requirements are posted at humanesocietyofyorkcounty.org.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
