FORT MILL, S.C. The Humane Society of York County is featuring a 1-year-old stray cat and an 8-month-old dog who came in from Animal Control as a medical case as its pets of the week.
Both animals are neutered, vaccinated, tested and microchipped, and both are available now at the shelter at 8177 Regent Parkway in Fort Mill.
The shelter has placed 454 animals so far in 2026, including 105 dogs and 349 cats, according to figures released by the rescue.
Don Julio waits in the big cat room
Don Julio, a mostly white and black cat with amber eyes, arrived at the shelter as a stray in rough condition. Volunteers estimate his age at just over 1 year.
He tested positive for feline immunodeficiency virus, or FIV, at intake. Cats with FIV can live a normal life, though their immune systems are weakened. The virus spreads only from cat to cat through deep bites and the exchange of blood, so Don Julio can share a home with other cats as long as they are passive.
“Don Julio is a lover,” volunteer Mary Beth Knapp said in the shelter’s weekly adoption notice. “He wants to engage and have someone welcome him home.”
He is in the shelter’s big cat room and can be met by appointment.
Geo needs patience after hip surgery
Geo came to the Humane Society from Animal Control badly injured and needing surgery. He had a femoral head ostectomy, a hip procedure that removes the head of the femur, and then went into foster care where he could heal with limited movement.
He has since returned to the rescue and is available for adoption at roughly 8 months old.
Geo is shy around noise and activity at first, and that can come out as loud barking, but shelter staff said he settles quickly once he has a few minutes to adjust. They believe he would do well with other dogs. Any adoption involving another dog in the household goes through the shelter’s standard process of a meet and greet at the rescue followed by a home visit.
“His body has healed,” Knapp said. “Now time for his heart to heal.”
How to adopt or help
Adoption appointments can be made by calling the shelter at 803-802-0902. Adoption requirements and the full process are posted at humanesocietyofyorkcounty.org.
The rescue also takes volunteers at both the shelter and its thrift shop, Pawsibilities, at 2144 Carolina Place in Fort Mill. Donated household goods sold through the shop and through the organization’s eBay store fund shelter operations. Foster applications and donation information are on the shelter’s website, and the rescue said a pop-up holiday store is planned for later this year.
Anyone interested in meeting Don Julio or Geo should call 803-802-0902 to schedule a visit.
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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.
