When Snow Hit The South, Our Hero VIPs Sent Warmth To Shelter Dogs In Need

Snow in Myrtle Beach? It sounds unlikely, but this winter, Grand Strand Humane Society found itself facing a historic deep freeze. Nearly five inches of snow blanketed the area, something locals say is practically unheard of. While many families were bundling up indoors, the situation was far more urgent at the shelter. Their main building has been condemned, leaving many dogs housed in outdoor pens, vulnerable to the sudden and dangerous drop in temperature.

But thanks to the compassion of the local community and a little extra warmth from iHeartDogs’ Hero VIP Club members, all the dogs at GSHS rode out the blizzard in cozy comfort.

Blankets Delivered Just in Time

Two large boxes of cozy fleece blankets from iHeartDogs’ December Blanket Campaign reached Grand Strand Humane Society right before the storm rolled in. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

As the cold set in, shelter staff worked quickly to prepare. The local community stepped up in an incredible way, taking dozens of dogs into temporary foster homes ahead of the storm. For the pups who remained at the shelter, those soft, warm blankets became an essential layer of protection and comfort.

Dogs like Swap, Fiona, and King, all long-term shelter residents, experienced the rare South Carolina snowfall wrapped in warmth. Photos captured them frolicking in the snow before returning to their cozy kennels and brand-new fleece blankies.

Even dogs in foster homes, like Miles, benefited from the extra coziness. While adjusting to foster life during an unseasonable cold snap isn’t easy, a warm blanket made all the difference.

A Comfort for the Most Vulnerable

For some dogs, the blankets meant more than physical warmth; they offered emotional comfort during a frightening transition.

Take Sparky, a 10-year-old Labrador mix who was recently surrendered. According to the person who brought him in, Sparky had been living inside an abandoned car. He arrived with swollen, painful ears and a heavy sadness that hasn’t yet lifted. Right now, he’s so shut down that he won’t let anyone get close.

For a dog like Sparky, a soft fleece blanket isn’t just bedding, it’s security. It’s something gentle and consistent in a world that’s suddenly unfamiliar and overwhelming.

Then there’s Nala, a sweet senior girl resting quietly in her crate, bundled up in her new blanket. For older dogs, especially, staying warm is critical, and having something soft beneath them eases aging joints and tired bodies.

More Than A Blanket, A Promise of Care

When temperatures dropped and snow covered the ground, these dogs weren’t left to face it alone. Your support through the Hero VIP Club made sure that Grand Strand Humane Society had what they needed, exactly when they needed it most. In a region unaccustomed to winter storms, your generosity helped provide warmth, comfort, and a sense of safety to dogs navigating both the cold and the uncertainty of shelter life.

From long-term residents watching snowflakes fall for the first time to seniors resting more comfortably to a frightened Lab mix slowly learning he’s safe…every blanket told them the same thing: someone cares.

On behalf of Swap, Fiona, King, Miles, Sparky, Nala, and all their shelter friends — thank you, Hero VIPs, for being the reason tails kept wagging through the storm!

Not a VIP member yet? Sign up here and enjoy annual discounts, early VIP access, and much more. Plus, your monthly membership provides five nourishing meals for shelter dogs each and every month!

Help keep the mission going and help fund the next batch of care packages for shelter pets awaiting their forever homes.