Dot's Place Animal Haven was started in June of 2002 by Denise and John Painter, after they went on a vacation trip with Denise's son Clay and sister Kim and found a kitten at the hotel where they were staying. Believing they could just give the kitten to someone and it would be cared for, they were shocked to discover the rampant problem of pet homelessness and overpopulation in South Carolina and throughout the nation.  In 2011 Gareth Jones joined DPAH as a foster and eventually a member of the board. HIs love of animals goes back to his childhood as well, and he currently has six cats of his own plus he occasionally fosters a cat for the rescue.

 

Since then they all have worked diligently not only in the Upstate of South Carolina but throughout the nation to save the lives of companion animals and when possible, find them a forever home.

 

Some pets, however, have special issues that make them unadoptable or only adoptable to very special homes. These cats and dogs find a sanctuary at Dot's Place where they can live out their lives getting the love and support they need.

 

Dot's Place Animal Haven was named in memorial to Dot Mitchell, Denise's mother, who lost her battle to cancer in March of 1999. Dot was a lifelong animal lover and rescuer in East Tennessee where she was born and raised, and in honor of her everyone involved with DPAH has chosen to follow in her footsteps and carry on her mission.