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This Charlotte photographer dresses up rescue pets to help them — and you

By Vanessa Infanzon

Updated January 30, 2024 3:59 PM

Lucy, a 7-year-old miniature Schnauzer mix, wound up in the care of CMPD Animal Care and Control. Roberta Sá Griner/Saved by a Flash

Six years ago, Roberta Sá Griner asked her husband if they could foster George, a dog from a local animal shelter.

“Since George, we have fostered about 100 dogs, from short term — a few hours — to very long term — more than one year,” Sá Griner said. “I started to photograph my fosters to help them get adopted, which worked.”

A coworker convinced Sá Griner to photograph the dogs and cats at shelters. Since then, Sá Griner has photographed more than 2,700 shelter animals in Burke, Darlington and Mecklenburg counties in North Carolina and Lancaster County in South Carolina and started a nonprofit, Saved by a Flash.

“I am able to show people the true beauty of shelter dogs,” Sá Griner said.

In early December, the Lancaster County Animal Shelter had 50 cats, 40 dogs and one chinchilla. It stays at capacity most days, with animals going out at the same rate they come in, said Carissa Valenti, assistant director at the Lancaster County Animal Shelter. She’s noticed how Sá Griner’s photos get people’s attention. One recent photo of a dog named Bear Bryant prompted 50 comments and emails with interest in adoption.

“She [Sá Griner] gets them looking at the camera,” Valenti said. “It catches people’s eye — the different things she put on them, the flowers and bandanas. They comment and share, and somehow they’re adopted.”

Adopting a shelter animal

Delores is a red pit bull terrier at CMPD Animal Care and Control. Roberta Sá Griner/Saved By A Flash

“The pictures are worth a thousand words,” said Melissa Knicely, public information specialist at Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Animal Shelter. “When you have a picture of an animal when it’s being processed, in a nondescript room with a concrete floor behind it, versus a few days later: you take it outside, put it in the grass or put on a prop like a bow or bandana and they’re more relaxed, it can make a world of difference.”

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Animal Shelter housed five birds, 71 cats, 135 dogs, 79 kittens, seven puppies, and 27 other animals such as roosters and bunnies in early December. Workers want to find forever homes for as many as they can.

Before you adopt, here are five factors to consider:

(1) Think about your parameters.

This 3-year-old German Shepherd was put up for adoption at CMPD Animal Care and Control. Roberta Sá Griner/Saved by a Flash

You might fall in love with the large Husky at the shelter, but will your tiny apartment accommodate his lifestyle? And how will the apartment staff feel about it? Check your lease agreement for pet deposits, pet maximum weights and restrictions before adopting an animal, Knicely said. Pets are surrendered to shelters when they don’t fit rental agreements.

(2) Match your lifestyle to the pet.

This 5-year-old pit bull terrier is at CMPD Animal Care and Control. Roberta Sá Griner/Saved By A Flash

Assess your lifestyle before you adopt. Do you work long hours? Are you able to pop home to let out a puppy? Do you have a new baby on the way? Will an older dog think of a new friend as a playmate or an intrusion?

The holidays may be a good time to adopt if you have time off Knicely said. The extra time you spend with a pet may help acclimate them to a new home.

(3) Examine your budget.

The Lancaster County Animal Shelter has a variety of cats and dogs available for adoption. Roberta Sá Griner/Saved by a Flash

Knicely said finances are the most important item to consider before adopting.

“If you think you’re just going to pay the adoption fee and that’s going to be it, it’s not,” Knicely said. “You need to think about the costs for the lifetime of the pet.”

Beyond paying for adoption fees, there are other costs to consider: annual routine visits to the vet, food, heartworm medicine and mishaps that require a vet or emergency hospital visit. There’s grooming costs and possible pet sitter fees or boarding when you’re away. Depending on your work hours, you may have to hire a pet walker or use daycare.

(4) Involve the entire family in the decision.

Chompers, a 9-year-old Chihuahua/Pug mix was held in the care of CMPD Animal Care and Control. Roberta Sá Griner/Saved by a Flash

It happens all the time in sitcoms and real life: the kids want a dog and promise to take care of it. But it’s mom or dad who end up fulfilling the role of caregiver to the family pet. Knicely stresses to families that the adults must understand the responsibilities of taking on a pet.

(5) Understand the process.

If you’re not ready to adopt an animal, you can foster cats or dogs before they find their forever home. Roberta Sá Griner/Saved by a Flash

Each municipal animal shelter has its own rules, depending on the county and state. For Lancaster and Mecklenburg counties, there are no formal applications or background checks for potential owners. Lancaster Animal Shelter will request an application for people who want to adopt a pit bull. Folks who have animal abuse on their records or who have surrendered several animals will be flagged with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Animal Shelter.

Bring legal identification, such as a driver’s license, and a utility bill to show which county you live in, to be eligible for any county pricing or waivers. You may adopt in another state. In fact, Valenti said she has noticed how social media has prompted people to drive across states to adopt a pet they’ve seen in a photo on Facebook or Instagram.

Costs to adopt range from $80 to $113, depending on the age and type of animal. Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Animal Shelter offers fee waivers at different times of the year. Right now, pay the $10 license fee and make a financial donation to adopt the pet of your choice through the end of the year.

Dogs and cats adopted from one of these two municipal animal shelters will be spayed or neutered, fitted with a microchip and up-to-date on preventative vaccinations.

The only waiting periods associated with adopting a pet are if the animal is still in the holding period required after a stray is found (five days in Lancaster County and 72 hours for Mecklenburg County) and whether the animal has been spayed or neutered.

What can you do if you’re not ready to adopt?

The Lancaster County Animal Shelter has 50 cats, 40 dogs — including this one — and one chinchilla up for adoption. Roberta Sá Griner/Saved by a Flash

Donate: Contribute money to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Animal Shelter for the Second Chance Medical Fund or Kitten Nursery. Or drop off blankets and treats at the Lancaster Animal Shelter.

Foster an animal: Be a temporary home before cats or dogs go to a rescue group or find their forever home. Contact Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Animal Shelter or Carissa Valenti at Lancaster County Animal Shelter.

Volunteer: Walk a dog or play with cats at the shelter. Find out how to help at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Animal Shelter here. Ask about the daycation and staycation programs, which give animals a break from their time at the shelter. Or contact Ann Richardson at the Lancaster County Animal Shelter.

Note: At the time these photos were taken, all pets were available for adoption. Please contact the shelters below to find out if they still need a home and view other animals.

This story was originally published January 15, 2020 at 5:46 AM.