Carol Linville awarded ‘Citizen of the Year’
Provided
Carol Linville, founder of Pet Helpers, was recognized as Folly Beach's Citizen of the Year on December 5. Photo by Jennifer Bearden
“A voice for those who cannot speak; A warrior for the defenseless; A guardian for the helpless; A rescuer of those who are abused; A friend to all animals, large and small,” reads the plaque presented to this year’s Folly Beach Citizen of the Year, Carol Linville. Linville was presented with the plaque on December 5 by the Mayor Pro Tem, Laura Beck, at the Folly Beach Police Department Christmas Party and Awards Dinner.
“I was completely shocked and am so humbled and honored by this recognition from the City,” said Linville. “Bob and I are very fortunate to have lived on Folly for 34 years and have been privileged to serve Folly and help our community in many ways over these many years.”
You could say that Linville’s passion was born in 1966 when she adopted her first pet. It was a little poodle with all sorts of medical issues. It had a heart murmur, parasites, and heartworms. The staff person at the adoption center suggested that she pick another dog. Of course, Carol knew in that moment that she had to take care of that dog. In 33 years, that passion is as strong as ever and she continues working for the welfare of abandoned animals in need to this day.
Linville has established the Folly Beach Animal Control Kennel, helped to put into place ordinances to protect the city’s animals, and, perhaps her biggest accomplishment, founded Pet Helpers which has grown immensely since its beginnings as a weekly adopt-a-pet column in 1976. Pet Helpers is now a fully staffed Adoption Center and Spay/Neuter Clinic that serves not only Folly Beach but the entire Lowcountry. Dogs and cats that are adoptable at her shelter can be seen on page 3 of every issue of the Folly Current.
Linville has worked tirelessly to improve the welfare of animals in the region, including successfully initiating the first animal welfare ordinance for Charleston County in 1988, co-founding Humane Net, a coalition of animal welfare groups in the tri-county area, in 1997, and has been active in establishing trap-neuter-release programs.
“This has been a 25-year process and we have come a long way. The strong partnership between Pet Helpers and Folly Beach is very special and is a win-win for all animals and people in our community,” Linville said.
Linville credits her success to community support and partnerships with groups including the Folly Beach City Council and law enforcement agencies. Her husband, Bob Linville, served as the Mayor of Folly Beach after being elected in 1989.
