Pet Helper’s Carol Linville loves all of Folly’s inhabitants
I met Carol Linville through Shauna Shackleton, Pet Helpers CFO and Folly resident. Carol’s name often comes up in local conversations about animal rescues, with many immediately recommending her. After months of texting, we finally met at Center Street Coffee for a 90-minute conversation about her experiences as a respected figure in Folly.
FOLLY CURRENT: Where were you born, and how long have you been tied to Folly Beach?
CAROL LINVILLE: I was born in Patterson, N.J., and my family moved to Florida when I was an infant. At 28, I relocated to Charleston on January 17, 1974. Bob, whom I met in Ft. Lauderdale, moved here for a General Manager role at a Chevy dealership. I left my job as an Administrative Assistant with the Broward County Commission, rented out my house, and followed him, though I wanted to be cautious since we weren’t engaged yet.
In 1975, we bought our first fixer-upper at 512 East Ashley and moved in. Meanwhile, Bob and I ran Linville Car Center on Folly Rd. We invested in several Folly rental properties, balancing daytime work at the Car Center with evenings and weekends spent renovating. By 1983, we’d phased out of the car business. In 1985, we relocated to Tabby Drive, where we’ve lived since. We became active in local clubs, and Bob participated in city government.
I managed a three-month volunteer renovation project for the old City Hall and Police Department, overseeing both interior and exterior painting, as well as the installation of new ceilings and other improvements. In 1990, I initiated the Folly Christmas Parade and coordinated fundraising efforts for planting Palmetto trees on Center Street. Additionally, in collaboration with volunteer firefighter John Barringer, I helped construct the first animal kennel for Folly’s animals. On a personal note, I experienced the loss of Bob on October 31, 2018, which marked a significant change in my life.
I currently own a rental triplex on the island, leased to three long-term Folly residents, and I intend to keep it as long-term rental housing for as long as I own it.
Pet Helpers was established in 1978 at 808 Folly Road, with Bob constructing the initial shelter room and cages. In 1992, we acquired the house located across from our current site, undertaking a six-month renovation that enabled us to accommodate over 130 animals. A decade later, we launched a Capital Campaign to secure land across the street and raise funds, complemented by a $2.8 million bank loan. This allowed us to construct the Pet Helpers Shelter and Spay Clinic, which opened in 2008 and serves as our present location.
We currently have 27 paid staff members and face monthly expenses of $200,000. Our shelter is overflowing with dogs and cats; cases of animal abandonment and owner surrenders have doubled, creating a crisis even more severe than when I began this work 48 years ago. We urgently need foster families, adopters, and additional donations to support every animal that comes through our doors. On challenging days—and there are many—I remind myself that my single small effort to rescue a few cats’ years ago has now resulted in saving over 57,000 animals, including cats, dogs, rabbits, gerbils, several pet rats, and more!
FC: What do you love about Folly Beach?
CL: The animals are the highlight! This island is incredibly welcoming to both dogs and cats, and there’s an amazing sense of community here. We truly embrace visitors—including their dogs—on vacation! I also have a fondness for our local deer, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, and birds. I’m always on call with Public Safety to help any injured or abandoned animal and have collected many rescue stories over the years.
Of course, I greatly appreciate our residents as well. They provide strong support, volunteer generously, and even include Pet Helpers in their estate plans, helping us build our Endowment for Pet Helpers’ future. Our annual Oyster Roast and Fur Ball Gala are also well-supported events. To be honest, Pat, I’m especially excited about the Salty Snout Showdown!! Saturday September 12th at the Washout and hosted by famed TV star Bam Margera and his influential wife Dannii Marie!!! They have already been so generous to us and now they are teaming up with our Folly Beach family. It’s going to be a fantastic celebration of Folly culture with a fun dog contest for local pups!
FC: Share a story you are fond of about Folly.
CL: Here’s a Hurricane Hugo story. My husband, Bob, became Mayor of Folly after two unsuccessful attempts at council. He was finally elected to the Council in 1988 and then won the mayoral race in 1989. I served as Bob’s campaign manager through 14 elections … there was always a runoff! Talk about persistence! Compared to those days, today’s campaigns are much calmer. Anyway, just three weeks into his term as mayor, Hurricane Hugo struck. Bob ordered an evacuation of the island. We headed to Pet Helpers, sheltering behind the metal building there.
At 7 p.m., we got into our truck and Bob drove back to Folly to ensure everyone had left. As he turned around at the end of Tabby Drive, I heard a high-pitched meow. Since my own cats were all safe, I realized it must be a cat that had been left behind. After a quick search, I spotted our neighbor’s kitten, Teeny Weeny. I scooped her up and put little TW in the cab with us. Our neighbor had been out of town, and their caretaker must not have been able to find the kitten before leaving.
As the storm intensified, we returned to James Island and spent the night with 45 cats in a small office. Around midnight, a reporter named Richard arrived after being stranded; he joined us and got his story. The next morning, Bob, Richard, and I headed to Folly, where the damage was overwhelming.
For two months, Bob worked in the streets while I managed the Folly Hugo Relief Center and Pet Helpers shelter, operating seven days a week. We had no power or water for three weeks, and the east end of Folly was without utilities for several months. Working 18-hour days, we assisted residents and businesses in recovery, losing 30 pounds between us. I also raised $100,000 for Hugo relief for underinsured residents.
FC: What issue are you most concerned about in our community today?
CL: We are seeing fewer raccoons and squirrels, but more deer and injured shore birds—many underweight or caught on fishhooks. Last year, I helped remove a hook from a tern with the help of an officer, then held the bird until it could be taken to the vet. That tern was fortunate to survive.
FC: If you were responsible for overseeing this matter, what steps would you take to address the issue?
CL: I propose buying vacant lots that can’t be built on or sold, encouraging owners to donate them to the city in their wills in exchange for waived taxes. This would increase open space and help wildlife thrive, making our community more beautiful.
Some unused lots have already become parks, like those donated on 5th East, and I hope similar projects continue. Years ago, I purchased two lots across from my home to preserve them for wildlife rather than build. My focus is on improving our world—whether by supporting long-term housing, helping animals, or inspiring others to act.
Pat “Wiggy” Hiban interviews a different “Face of Folly” for this column each month. If you have an idea of someone you think Pat should chat with, please send suggestions to editor@follycurrent.com.
