Dorchester Paws

What it reported doing in 2025

Dorchester Paws, formerly known as Frances R. Willis SPCA, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals in Dorchester County, South Carolina. Dorchester Paws is the only open-admission shelter in Dorchester County, serving towns including Rosinville, Ridgeville, Oakbrook, St. George, Summerville, and Grover, SC. Partnering with Dorchester Code Enforcement, we take in every lost, abandoned, and abused animal and provide them with food, shelter, and medical attention until they find their forever home.We strive to instill humane principles into society through the prevention of cruelty to animals by championing responsible pet ownership, ending unnecessary euthanasia, and ending over pet population. We are dedicated to reducing pain and fear in our community's animals and are proud to say that our staff and volunteers are fear free certified.ShelterOur shelter was established in 1972 by Frances R. Willis with land donated by Westvaco. Dr. Brunson Westbury and Frances R. Willis worked to get the road built and land cleared to open the facility. Over the years, the shelter has been expanded, but we continue to reach and exceed our capacity because our community is growing and the pet overpopulation crisis is not abating.Dorchester Paws is a partner in the "No Kill South Carolina Coalition." Since the beginning of 2017, we have made significant improvements to our shelter and the quality of care we provide to the animals. Our euthanasia rate has been steadily reduced and we have not euthanized for time, space, or money since January 2017. We are committed to meeting the live release rate of the national average. In 2021, we had an overall live release rate of 93%.We are excited to announce that we will be joining No Kill South Carolina in their mission to make the whole state no-kill by 2024! Together we can create a no-kill community! AdoptionWhen adopting an animal, a valid and current photo ID is required. Most importantly, plan to spend some time at the shelter getting to know your new pet. If you are interested in adopting a dog, an adoption counselor will take you to an outdoor pen to meet him/her. We want to make sure whomever you choose will be the right match for you.If you are adopting from Dorchester Paws, cats must leave in a carrier and dogs must leave on a leash. You may bring your own or purchase one at the shelter for a nominal charge.Plan to bring everyone who lives in your household along so they may meet your new pet! If you have a dog at home and are planning to adopt a dog, it is important to bring your pet to meet the new dog.If you rent your home, please check with your landlord before coming to Dorchester Paws to make sure you are familiar with their pet policies.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 68.9%; rating input score 69
• Program expense ratio: 82.9%; rating input score 83
• Fundraising efficiency: $7.48 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 26; 26th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 94.4%; rating input score 94; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 18.7%; rating input score 71; 71st percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.31; rating input score 73; 73rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 83; 83rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 5.4%; rating input score 54; 54th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 8.8% per year; rating input score 100; 56th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 12.7% per year; rating input score 100; 74th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 21.7% per year; rating input score 100; 86th percentile among comparable filings