Tag Archives: FOTAS

Pioneer volunteer Procter: ‘Nothing beats the joy of seeing animals adopted’

We have countless wonderful volunteers who serve important roles at the shelter. Some greet people in our lobby, some help with events, some foster, others walk dogs or help with PetSmart cats.That being said, I would love to tell you about our Sandra. Sandra Procter was there to help train me eight years ago, when […]

Local News Anchor Joins FOTAS, Adopts and Promotes Shelter Dogs

WRDW TV News Anchor and Investigative Reporter Meredith Anderson and her daughter, Ella, have joined FOTAS, and we could not be more pleased to have them on our team. They visit and help socialize the homeless pets at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) and both take photos of dogs that Meredith then posts on […]

Good News for the County Shelter

The world out there is a crazy place right now—Covid-19, crazy politics, massive hurricanes on the Gulf coast, wildfires in the west—so I’m all about finding those good news stories to report, the ones that make me feel good, that affirm my faith in people, government, and humanity in general. When Jennifer Miller, the president […]

County Shelter Dog Matilda Saves Her Adopter’s Life

When Carol Winn adopted sweet brindle and white Terrier mix Matilda from the Aiken County Animal Shelter, she had no way of knowing this cute, young dog would save her life one year later. But that’s exactly what happened. On June 24, Winn woke up startled to see Matilda shaking her bed. “She doesn’t sleep […]

Ernie Wolf: FOTAS Volunteer Makes Houses for a Good Cause

It has been my honor to be one of the founders and President of FOTAS since 2009. Before FOTAS was founded, I saw a stray animal problem in Aiken County and didn’t know what to do about it. I began to advocate for the homeless animals in the county and was joined by an unexpected […]

FOTAS and 11 Years of Progress at the Aiken County Animal Shelter

On July 29, 2009, the South Carolina Secretary of State officially approved FOTAS as a charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to the care of the homeless, abandoned, and abused animals consigned to the County Shelter, kicking off the beginning of an extraordinary public/private partnership with the county and a new, comprehensive approach to caring for homeless […]

July 4th Celebrations Can Result in Terrified, Lost Dogs & Cats

On the Monday following July 4th weekend, the phones at the Aiken County always blow up with calls from citizens who have lost their dogs or cats because the animals panicked and ran from the flashing skies and booming explosions around their yards. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to bring your pets […]

Community Outreach More Vital than Ever During Difficult Times

While catching up on paperwork early Thursday morning, Patrick Miller, Supervisor of Animal Control in Aiken County’s Code Enforcement Division, is asked what he likes most about his job. “Helping people is the most rewarding part of what I do,” he says. “It’s just human nature to feel good from giving back to the community […]

It’s a Party! FOTAS Celebrates Ten Years of Saving Lives

On Saturday, November 2nd, FOTAS will host a party at the Aiken County Animal Shelter to celebrate its tenth anniversary partnering with the county and the shelter to save lives. What a ride it’s been. In 2009, a few dedicated and concerned citizens banded together to form FOTAS in response to the dismal conditions at […]

Mama Jeanne: Suffering and Sacrifice Lead to Cat’s Adoption

She arrived during the shelter’s cruelest season, a cat whose story of suffering and sacrifice made us all stop just to take it in. Because of all we don’t know about the cat now called Mama Jeanne, what we do know says it all. She gave birth to four kittens as a starving stray, then […]