Monthly Archives: April 2023

2023, Adoption

Ten reasons why you should adopt a black dog

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Smokey, a three-year-old black Lab mix, who is medium-sized and super affectionate.
29
Apr

Black is beautiful. Yet, black dogs statistically wait at least four times longer to be adopted from shelters than lighter coated and more colorful canines.

It’s known as “Black Dog Syndrome” and we are currently experiencing this unfortunate phenomenon at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Attractive, friendly and smart black dogs are languishing at 333 Wire Road because prospective adopters are not selecting them. Why? We’re not sure. Experts claim that superstitious people see black dogs as dangerous or evil. Others theorize that their facial expressions are harder to see, especially in the shadows of their kennel, so people don’t connect with them as easily. Still others speculate that black dogs don’t photograph as well, so when they are featured on social media pages, they don’t catch the eye of prospective adopters.

Frankly, the whole Black Dog Syndrome seems silly to us — but we can’t ignore it. Not when the shelter is filling up with dark-coated dogs who can’t find homes.

  1. Therefore, to counter these negative tropes, here are ten reasons why you should adopt a black dog:
  2. Black dogs are chic and always in fashion.
  3. Black dogs never look dirty.
  4. Black dogs make you look thinner.
  5. Black dog hair blends into your dark pants, dress or coat.
  6. Black dogs are just as loyal, playful, and loving as other canines. Maybe more so.
  7. Black dogs are always ready for a formal occasion.
  8. Black dogs are cute and smart. Breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Spaniels, Shepherds and Terriers are some of the smartest dogs and often have black fur.
  9. Black dogs are easy to accessorize. They look great in any color.
    Black dogs look tough even when they are sweet pushovers.
  10. Adopting saves lives. By adopting a black dog, you will not only be saving their life, but will open up a spot for another dog to be rescued.

Here are just some of the County Shelter’s terrific black dogs who need and deserve good homes:

  • Malone, a mini black Lab mix who is four years old, easygoing and enjoys the company of other dogs.
  • Dipsy Doodle, a cute, four-year-old cuddle bug who enjoys car rides.
  • Butler, an athletic, four-year-old Retriever mix who wants to be your one and only.
  • Suzie, an active and athletic three-year-old mixed breed who is a proven superstar in playgroup.
  • Smokey, a three-year-old black Lab mix, who is medium-sized and super affectionate.
  • Kenobi, an active, three-year-old mixed breed who can’t get enough human attention.
  • Arabell, an adorable, one-year-old mixed breed who plays well with other dogs.

Please stop by the shelter to meet these black beauties and cuties. The County Shelter is at full capacity and these dogs need to find loving homes soon.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

Photo caption:
Kenobi likes toys, car rides and cuddling with his favorite humans
Malone is easygoing and often sunbathes on his back in his kennel.
Dipsy Doodle is an active girl who wants to be your one and only pet.

Butler is athletic and loves to go on walks.
Suzie is a wiggle butt and enjoys wrestling dogs her size or larger.
Smokey loves tummy rubs.

2023, Volunteer, Woofstock

Woofstock Festival Rocks!

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
20
Apr

On Saturday, April 15th FOTAS held its 10th Annual Woofstock event at Citizens Park. It is a festive day, one designed to bring the community and its four-legged animals together with all kinds of activities—contests, races, and pet-owners showing off their dogs.

But I have to make a confession. I was nervous. What if only a small group of people come to support the event? Would the vendors and sponsors be disappointed? What if only a handful of folks show up for the races or contests? Would all the hard work by the teams of volunteers who helped plan and run the event be just a waste of their precious time?

I expressed my concerns at the Park on Saturday morning to Ellie Joos, the Secretary of FOTAS and designated emcee of the event. She immediately said, “Jennifer, look at the hundreds of people making their way to the event, and look at the number of entries in all of the contests.”

Ellie was right. The response was overwhelming. More than 500 people came—the most successful Woofstock ever!

Some highlights:

  • Kenny Ray, our DJ extraordinaire, volunteered his services and set the mood for the day with excellent music. Kenny says next year he will make it even better. (Hard to imagine it could be any better!),
  • All our sponsors and vendors appreciated the great exposure; many have already committed to participate next year. ‘
  • When Buzz Rich stood in line to buy a t-shirt, the person in front of him was short of cash. In keeping with the generosity and good feeling of the day, Buzz bought that person a t-shirt as well as his own.
  • There was a parade for past shelter dogs adopted and for shelter dogs currently available for adoption. The crowd gave them a standing ovation. Marnie Munger, a long time FOTAS supporter, texted, “It was a blast! Such a good turnout and positive vibe.” Amen to that, Marnie.
  • County Council members in attendance included Chairman Gary Bunker, assistant council chair, Andrew Siders (who sang the national anthem), assistant county administrator, Brian Sanders (who participated in the parade with his shelter adopted dog), assistant county administrator/chief development officer Joel Duke, and Paige Bayne, the director of code enforcement. Paige, who oversees the shelter, attended with her adopted shelter dog and her husband, Jason. Both Paige and Jason donated their time as EMTs.
  • Two new County Councilmen, Ron Felder and Mike Kellems, attended as well. Councilman Kellems sponsored an adoption fee for some lucky canine looking for a home.

The Aiken County Animal Shelter still receives way, way too many strays and surrendered animals every year. Although progress on reducing overpopulation has been painfully slow, no adoptable pet has been euthanized at the shelter for over five years. That’s a big deal, made possible only by the hard work of shelter staff, volunteers, county council, and the support from you, our supportive community.

Woofstock is a celebration of the effort, generosity, and commitment of everyone who works to save the County’s homeless and abandoned animals.

See you at Woofstock next year, I can’t wait!

Their lives are truly in our hands.

By Jennifer Miller FOTAS President

2023, Therapy Dogs, Volunteer

Bridge Building

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Drew and Kenobi enjoying each other's gifts.
06
Apr

First, there was Handsome. This combination of rippling muscles and tenderness, like the canine reincarnation of André the Giant, took me for a long hike around the grounds of the Aiken County Animal Shelter and introduced me to this new world.

Then, I met Kenobi, more of a base jumper than a Jedi, who leaps and pirouettes in his kennel like a furry tornado, yet when he gets to the wooded trails, ambles along with the calm contemplation of a country gentleman.

And finally, Suzie—the wiggling heartbreaker, who bears dozens of deep scars on her prancing legs and soft muzzle, the product of an unconscionable backstory, but in spite of this, radiates warmth and eyes that have chosen hope over sorrow. Since those first walks, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and playing with countless others. The shelter on Wire Road is often in flux, a revolving door of new additions and residents who’ve found forever homes, but there is one constant: the folks of FOTAS who dedicate themselves to improve the quality of life for these stray and surrendered animals. From square meals, to rollling in the play yard, to scratches behind the ears, many of the animals’ faces take on a peaceful glow, maybe for the first time in their lives.

Since I began volunteering, I’ve fallen in love with all of those faces, but I harbor
a secret. I wish they knew how selfish I am. I wish they could understand that whatever small measure of help I give them, what I receive in return is, conservatively, tenfold.

Long ago—funny how the older we get, the more we measure time in adages rather than round numbers—I was diagnosed with severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Most of the time, I’m able to manage symptoms through therapy, but I do have periods where my condition becomes nearly debilitating, especially with major life changes.

Recently, my wife accepted a position teaching English at Aiken Tech and we moved here from Costa Rica. As an English professor myself, I’m lucky enough to work fully online, but suddenly, I found myself in an unfamiliar town, without friends or any physical place I needed to be. Free time and an idle mind aren’t great bedfellows for someone with my mental proclivities, so I needed to find a sense of purpose. Fast.

I’d avoided shelters before. As a man who blames errant eyelashes for tears during a Sarah McLachlan commercial, I assumed I’d be broken by the longing stares of pitifully lost dogs. The first few steps with Handsome, Kenobi, and Suzie changed everything. They aren’t lost, but in transition. FOTAS is a bridge, and I’m thankful to now count myself as one of the many girders that support these animals as they move from a closed chapter to the new, loving family waiting on the other side.

I urge you to experience this yourself. Come meet the FOTAS folks and tumble
with their fuzzy friends. Consider adopting or volunteering. Their lives are in our hands.

And remember: whatever comfort you give them, they just might provide you the same, if not more, in return.

By Drew Attana, FOTAS Volunteer