Community Highlights: Meet Debra McLawhorn of Southern Paws Animal Rescue

Today we’d like to introduce you to Debra McLawhorn. 

Hi Debra, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Charleston, SC. After graduating I began my career in Law Enforcement. I started out with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Department, then moved to Mount Pleasant Police Department where I served for 29 years and retired as a Lieutenant and the SWAT Commander. After retirement, I co-owned a restaurant and gift shop in Mount Pleasant. We did monthly events to raise money for local rescues. Throughout my career, in addition to serving the public, I had a passion for saving animals. My Law Enforcement career allowed me to stand up for victims, and I have continued to do this to help save animals. Southern Paws Animal Rescue was created in 2017. We rescue some of the worst cases of abused, neglected, and unwanted animals so that they may have a new lease on life. We work closely with Law Enforcement to save these animals and hold animal abusers accountable for their misdeeds… We have continued to grow thanks to so many wonderful people that keep our rescue going though donations and adoptions of our loving animals. It takes a village and everyone can make a difference… 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Southern Paws Animal Rescue works diligently to help save animals that are in crisis situations. With that comes several challenges. Some abusive pet owners will often refuse to sign the dog over to get it treatment or a better home. Some abused animals seized by law enforcement are often denied medical treatment until the criminal case has concluded, which can be months if not years to resolve. Animal abuse laws are in some places not designed to address neglect and abuse cases. On the rescue side, some pet adopters are often unwilling to give these dogs a fair amount of time to become acclimated to their new life. We work hard here to properly place these dogs in homes where they will be a good fit for, to avoid these situations. while the laws have not caught up with us and there are so many outdated laws on the books. we are proud to have worked with the Mount Pleasant Town Council and Mayor Haynie to pass a new tethering ordinance which requires dogs to be taken off a chain in the evening hours. This is big step and I hope we continue to grow in this area of changing laws. We need a village to make this work. 

As you know, we’re big fans of Southern Paws Animal Rescue. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are a 501c3 animal Rescue and we cover South Carolina as well as North Carolina. We have our primary location in Mount Pleasant, SC and we have our animal sanctuary where our animals live until adopted in Lake Lure NC. The ones that cannot be adopted live out their life being loved and taken care of at the sanctuary. We are not limited to dogs and we have cats, goats, horses at the sanctuary. We are proud that we take in the serious cases and work very hard medically and as well as giving them lots of love. 

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I was the first female SWAT Commander in the State of South Carolina 

Contact Info:

• Email: sparwithus@gmail.com
• Website: sparwithus.org
• Instagram: sparforanimals
• Facebook: Southern Paws Animal Rescue Mount Pleasant, SC