Your guide to local animal rescues + shelters across Columbia
Reader Julie K. adopted her cat, Obi from Pawmetto Lifeline. | Photo provided by Julie K.
We’ve done some digging to highlight several local animal shelters + rescues looking for some purrfect permanent homes or foster parents. Consider lending a paw in the form of adoption, donations, time, or money.
Animal Mission is a local nonprofit that provides free or low-cost spaying or neutering services to help prevent euthanasia in local municipal shelters. See seven local shelters you can adopt from.
Adopt dogs for $17 until Sunday, March 17. | Photo via City of Columbia Animal Services
Adoptable pets are priced at $35 each, with ongoing special promotions throughout the year — adoption fees are $17 until Sunday, March 17 for St. Patrick’s Day. Follow its Facebook page for the latest adoption promotions and featured pets.
PETSinc offers veterinary services, grooming, training, and even has a thrift store located at 1217 Sunset Blvd. in West Columbia that supports its mission. See available cats and dogs.
9 Lives Cat Rescue hosts an adoption event every Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Belladonnas Gifts (3800 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia)
Asked
Have you adopted from one of these local shelters or rescues?
Did you take home or foster a best friend from one of these shelters? We want to know about your experience — think, success stories, what you ended up naming your pet, photos... etc.
Public Tour: Darrel Ellis and Interior Lives | Thursday, March 7, Sunday, March 10 | Times vary | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | Free with admission | Take a guided tour of two featured exhibitions that explore identity, domesticity, and family through various lenses.
Friday, March 8
Carolina Classic Home & Garden Show | Friday, March 8 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | SC State Fair Grounds, 1200 Rosewood Dr., Columbia | Free | Enjoy over 100 exhibitors in the show including a marketplace of vendors, a beer garden, live entertainment, educational seminars, and more.
Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo | Friday, March 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St., Columbia | $20-$77 | Established in 1979, the come watch this rodeo with its indoor Bulls and Broncs format.
Saturday, March 9
Nature Discovery Walk | Saturday, March 9 | Times vary | Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Rd., Hopkins | Enjoy a guided hike along the Boardwalk Loop at Congaree National Park.
Cottontown Art Crawl | Saturday, March 9 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | 2200 Sumter St., Columbia | Free | The sixth annual Cottontown Art Crawl brings artists and entertainment to front porches, streets, and lawns in a historic downtown neighborhood in Columbia, SC.
Bierkeller Bock and Roll Spring Fest | Saturday, March 9 | 12-8 p.m. | Bierkeller Columbia, 600 Canalside St., Ste. 1009, Columbia | Free | Get ready for fresh beer, food, a traditional German fest, and some good old-fashioned rock and roll.
Sonoma Wine Tasting | Saturday, March 9 | 3 p.m. | Hampton Street Vineyard, 1207 Hampton St., Columbia | $33 | Find out why Sonoma encompasses some of California’s most famous wines while sipping six wines.
See (and smell) gorgeous floral interpretations of works of art, take part in various events, and support local arts education at this year’s Art Blossoms, happening March 21-24. | Photo by Victor Johnson / The Columbia Museum of Art
Spring is just two weeks away — and so is this annual exhibition, fundraiser, and event-filled weekend at the Columbia Museum of Art.
If you haven’t already marked your calendar for this year’s Art Blossoms, it kicks off with an opening night party on Wednesday, March 20, followed by four dazzling days of botanical beauty and a stacked schedule of classes, guest speakers, tastings + tours, and more.
$26.2 million — that’s the investment of McEntire Produce as it expands its Richland County facility, generating 40 new jobs. The family-owned produce supplier, operating in the county since 1938, will upgrade its Columbia location over five years.
Shop
To assess local food costs, The State surveyed 11 Columbia grocery stores, comparing prices for 12 basic items. Kroger on Forest Drive offered the lowest total bill at $32.40, while The Fresh Market offered the priciest at $63.41. (The State)
Traffic
Lexington town officials plan to address traffic concerns at the intersection of Highway 378 + Corley Mill Road. The proposed project aims to improve traffic flow and safety with a traffic split and realignment. The construction timeline is unclear. (WIS TV)
Ranked
No. 14. That’s the ranking Columbia received on Wallet Hub’s Best Cities for St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations list. Sign up to volunteer at the St. Pat’s in Five Points Festival, offering flexible four-hour shifts from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and receive a free ticket to the event.
Asked
We shared several places around town to take an adult class, but now we are putting together a guide to local gyms + fitness studios. Have a favorite? Let us know about it.
Pro Tip
Feeling sick? Make sure you know where to go to get the right care. Check wait times at one of Lexington Medical Center’s six Urgent Care locations before visiting.*
Sports
Check out the potential trade deadline targets for the Carolina Hurricanes. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Hurricaneswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Pets
Wonder Paws’ Omega Max Drops for dogs are veterinarian-recommended, support healthy joints, and reduce itchy skin and shedding. Get 15% off with code DQMRME3N.*
Community
🦎 Let a local salamander be your tour guide
Sally Salamander: Columbia’s amphibian-lead walking tour
Follow Sally to learn more about the Soda City. | Photo by Sally Salamander on Facebook
Have you ever seen small, numbered salamanders around Columbia?
When we first spotted them, we thought they were just an artistic ode to the state amphibian, but did you know that they also lead tours? The original numbered statues were first created in partnership with the Leadership Columbia Class of 2009.
The seven-inch salamander — named Sally Salamander — guides visitors through famous Cola landmarks + notable businesses. If you follow each statue’s number, Sally will lead you through Soda City’s history + give you some good photo-ops along the way.
Experience Columbia SC is relaunching the Sally Salamander Walking Tour and holding a press conference to share what’s new on Wednesday, March 13, at the Columbia SC Visitors Center (1120 Lincoln St.) at 10 a.m.
Here’s a sneak peekof the updates — the tour will now boast new designs by local artist Cait Maloney, an online check-in, and printed collateral.
The Buy
The Buy 3.07.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Your favorite pair of sneakers from Nordstrom Rack’s spring sneaker edit. We’re loving the prices on pairs from Cole Haan and Lacoste.
Calling all Swifties — New Brookland Tavern will be hosting a Taylor Swift Night event, with a cover and DJ set by local artist Paisley Marie. Grab tickets for the March 15 show, beginning at 7 p.m.
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