Adoptions have been very slow this week. Why? The sun is shining, the weather is warm, and it seems like the perfect time to adopt a new family member.
Unfortunately, while adoptions slow down, the dogs and cats keep coming in—especially the dogs. In order to keep saving every adoptable pet in Aiken County, we need adopters. When our kennels are full, we cannot take in the next animal that needs help, and believe me, they are out there.
We currently have many wonderful dogs that have been with us for weeks, even months. These are stellar dogs—social, trained, and ready for homes. We just need people to come meet them.
This week alone brought two very difficult cases.
One dog, now named Captain, was left tied to a pole in front of the shelter. Captain is a sweet senior dog who clearly had a home. He is house trained, gentle, and grateful for something as simple as a soft bed and a hug.
In another case, some of our amazing volunteers helped catch a severely neglected dog who was wandering loose. The poor dog was completely matted and clearly had not been cared for in a very long time. It’s heartbreaking to see animals arrive in this condition, but we are grateful he is now safe and will receive the care he needs.
Stories like these are exactly why adoptions matter so much.
This Saturday we will be holding a St. Pawtrick’s Day adoption event at the Aiken County Animal Shelter from 11am to 1pm. Adoption fees for dogs will be waived for qualified adopters, and we hope this event will encourage our community to come meet some of the incredible dogs waiting for homes.
If you walked through our kennels and looked into the eyes of these dogs, it would stop you in your tracks. They look at you with such hope. They just want to be loved.
You can buy a puppy from a breeder, but why not save a life instead?
Their lives truly are in our hands.
By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator