By: Sarah A. Neikam, Operations Manager

I work for a non-profit organization. There are no stock options. No company cars or travel expense accounts. No retirement or pension plans. Heck, we don’t even have free coffee. But the perks we DO have are so much better. We get pet perks.

For example, every morning when I enter the SPCA Albrecht Center facility, I’m serenaded by the hungry mews of cats and kittens (so many kittens!) eagerly anticipating their morning meal after a quiet night of rest inside their enclosures.

Henrietta Beans (Henri, for short) our Shelter Manager’s Boston terrier and SPCA mascot, is also part of the welcoming committee. She usually runs to meet me as I make my way to my office , both to say hello but also to make herself available for any treats I might have hidden in my bag or pockets.

Later in the day, after stroking more keyboard keys than furry bellies, I might take a snuggle break in the cat room or de-stress with a dog on the adoption floor.

Having so many loveable pets within reach is a pretty fantastic job perk. Unfortunately, most jobs don’t come with a kitty cuddling or puppy petting benefits package. Fortunately, we can help!

Our Snuggle Service is available to any office or business within 25 miles of our facility. We provide the snuggles, your business provides a tax-deductible donation to our organization. We’ll also feature your business on our website and social media channels to provide a promotional boost.

Snuggle Service deliveries need to be scheduled in advance, preferably a week or more, and a minimum donation is required. We will bring puppies, kittens, or adult dogs to your place of business and spend about an hour on site letting employees enjoy some cuddle and play time with our adoptable pets. Call us at 803-648-6863, email [email protected] or visit LetLoveLive.org/snuggleservice for more information.

If your office is especially pet friendly and your employees would enjoy a longer-term snuggle opportunity, consider fostering an Office Cat! We have lots and lots of cats in our shelter right now and many of them would make ideal office mates.

We’ll provide an adoptable cat who would adapt well to your office environment and interact well with your employees and customers. We’ll also provide food, litter, a litter box, a bed and toys. Your office provides the temporary shelter and lots of attention.

While the cat is in your care, we will continue to promote it to potential adopters as well as promote your business for being an SPCA Albrecht Center Office Cat partner. Email [email protected] for more information on the Office Cat foster program.

Finally, if your place of employment is a retail location, consider hosting one of our Saturday offsite adoption events. We have an amazing team of volunteers who bring adoptable dogs to various locations in the Aiken area every Saturday from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm each Saturday.

Our volunteers come prepared with all of the adoption information and paperwork on each dog so they can go home with an approved adopter right away. Offsite adoptions are an effective, fun way to attract more customers to your business and we’re happy to promote your event to our social media followers for even more traffic.

If you are interested in hosting an offsite adoption event, please call 803-648-6863 to speak with our Volunteer Coordinator, or email [email protected].

I hope you’re able to take advantage of one of these opportunities to bring pets to your office. It’s good for the pets, good for your business, and great for employees. Studies have shown that a few minutes spent petting a cat or dog releases a number of “feel good” hormones in people, while also lowering blood pressure and decreasing stress. It’s a win-win-win and quite possibly one of the best job perks out there.

Sarah Neikam is the Communications & Marketing Director for the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare. She is an Aiken native and has been with the SPCA since 2012. Sarah lives in Graniteville with her husband, Tom, mother, Cheryl and three adopted cats: Bastian, Luna and Grady.


The SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare is a private, nonprofit, no kill animal shelter in Aiken, SC.  The SPCA also operates a local Thrift Store (“Where Shopping Saves Lives”),  a public, affordable Veterinary Care Center & a Dog Park.  It is our mission to improve the lives of companion animals by rehoming abused, abandoned, and neglected pets while fighting for their well-being through vigorous legislative efforts, humane education, and by offering affordable veterinary care for all.

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