Author Archives: Bob Gordon

2022, abandoned animals, Cats, Foster

Beautiful, abandoned cats need loving homes

Posted on by Bob Gordon
23
Feb
Simone’s owner moved but left her behind to fend for herself.

The Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) has two gorgeous cats in its feline facility who desperately need loving homes. Both are overcoming the emotional pain of suddenly finding themselves abandoned and alone.

Simone, a stunning, five-year-old Siamese mix with a coat of multiple colors, was brought to the shelter because her owners moved and left her behind to fend for herself. When neighbors saw Simone was abandoned, they fed her for weeks before surrendering her to the shelter. When she arrived, Simone was an unhappy and confused kitty.

Gwen, on the other hand, was heartbroken for a different reason. Her owner’s health declined sharply, forcing her to enter an assisted living facility – a place where Gwen was not welcome. The one-year-old Tiger Tabby went from the warm lap of her owner to a steel kennel in a noisy shelter filled with other scared, homeless pets. When Gwen arrived, she was vocal about her displeasure with being separated from the only human she’d ever known and loved.

Gwen is at the shelter because her owner had to go into assisted living.

Due to their emotional trauma, both Simone and Gwen acted out when they first got to the shelter by trying to bite or scratch people who showed them affection. Simone mostly slapped at folks’ hands when she got nervous or felt overstimulated. Gwen, who wasn’t used to meeting so many new people, seemed to want to be petted but didn’t know how to respond. Sometimes she would get scared and bite to relieve her anxiety.

“Cats are creatures of habit,” said ACAS Adoption Coordinator Hillary Clark-Kulis. “They like their usual routines and sometimes when they have to come to the shelter, their worst traits can come out.”

Simone and Gwen, now living together in the cat facility, are doing much better. Staff and FOTAS volunteers have worked with them every day, helping them to adjust to their new environment and preparing them for their future homes. They will make wonderful feline companions for people who know and love cats.
Simone just needs a home of her own, where she can get a lot of attention and love, and Gwen needs an owner who will help her to trust new people.

“I think living with one person her entire life, Gwen is used to only one way of being treated or given affection,” Hillary said. “She is learning how to reciprocate kindness and attention from different people. She loves to be talked to and would do well in a home with other cats.”

If you would like to adopt Simone or Gwen, please call the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 803.642.1537 (option #3) or email info@fotasaiken.org and make an appointment to visit them. Or just stop by the shelter. Walk-ins are welcome! Cat adoption fees this month are just $10. The ACAS is located at 333 Wire Road, Aiken, 29801. The shelter is full & needs adopters & fosters.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2022, Adoption, SOCIAL MEDIA

Desperate dogs beat the odds to live happy life with loving Aiken family

Posted on by Bob Gordon
15
Feb

Choco is a 2-month-old, black & tan puppy who arrived at the Aiken County Animal Shelter on Sept. 3 with a life-threatening birth defect. His only chance for survival was expensive, experimental surgery that might not even work. This poor baby needed an adopter willing and able to get him the needed surgery and provide him with a loving home.

FOTAS immediately put the word out, shared Choco’s photo and story via social media, and got him into the arms of foster volunteer Vivian Kram. She took loving care of the pup and gave him the nurturing he needed while FOTAS and the shelter staff worked to find him a permanent home.

Enter Jenna Lubeck and her boyfriend Sam, who had just moved to Aiken from Chicago with four children and 21 horses. They were planning to buy a purebred dog but read a Facebook post about Choco written and shared by Martha Anne Tudor. The family was so moved by the pup’s dilemma, Jenna and her youngest child drove to the shelter to meet the pup.

“When we met Choco, my eight-year-old son looked up at me and said, ‘We have to adopt this puppy! I’ll pitch in my allowance for his surgery.’”

The family adopted the pup, renamed him Dante, and provided his expensive surgery. Before the operation, Jenna and Sam had to prepare the kids for the possibility their new dog might not survive. But Jenna said the children understood and vowed to make Dante’s two weeks before the surgery “the best two weeks possible.” They spent all their free time playing and cuddling with their new family member.

Thankfully, the surgery was a success and Dante made a full recovery.

Just five months later, Jenna saw another post on Facebook. This one featured a chocolate and white, 6-year-old stray dog who was found eating garbage at a trash dump. This skeletal 6-year-old Doberman mix with broken teeth and a sweet face reminded her so much of Dante, she drove to the County Shelter with him to meet her.

The meet and greet between Dante and the new dog, Maggie, did not go well. Maggie was stressed, scared, and mouthy. But since neither dog was being aggressive, the staff and Jenna thought Maggie would do better away from the shelter. Turns out, they were right. On the way home from the shelter, the two dogs cuddled together and slept in the back seat of Jenna’s car.

“Maggie just had to get out of that high stress environment,” Jenna said. “She and Dante became best friends. We can hardly separate these two now.”

Against all odds, Maggie and Dante have beautiful lives in a home where they are loved. “I’m so glad we adopted instead of buying,” Jenna said. “I think I’m going to only adopt from now on.”

Dante and his new family

“I don’t look at these dogs as having issues,” she added. “I think most of the time they’re just misunderstood. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time and didn’t get the love or care they needed because their owners didn’t know better or didn’t care enough. It kind of breaks your heart, you know?”

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2022, Foster, fostering, kennel stress

FOTAS Doggie dates and sleepovers help reduce kennel stress

Posted on by Bob Gordon
15
Feb

Kennel stress can wear heavily on a shelter dog. Enduring the echo of barking dogs, getting out for limited walks and playtime, and having to look out at the world through metal bars is tough on animals used to being free or with their owners.

Adoptable Bell with Volunteer Lisa Raphaela before heading to Lisa’s home for a sleepover.

The Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) has some of the best facilities you can find: indoor/outdoor kennels, water bowls that refill automatically, soothing music pumping through and central air conditioning and heat. But even with such wonderful facilities and our volunteers and staff spending as much time as possible with these homeless animals and running playgroups every day, there is no way to duplicate the love and security of a home.

That’s why we are asking County residents to participate in our Doggie Dating and Overnights program.

“Overnights take them out of the four walls,” said Marie Gunter, who has taken six different dogs home for sleepovers over the last few months. Four of them — Christopher, Orion, Thatcher, Ducky — were adopted shortly after their home experience with her. She and her husband, Harvey, adopted their fifth doggie guest, Bowie, who they renamed Zeus. The sixth, Hayward, is still looking for a good home.

“The dogs come in and get hugs and kisses from us and get to know our four dogs,” Marie said. “I think spending even a brief time in a home helps them become more relaxed.”

The Simons have been taking in County Shelter dogs overnights for many years. Olga and her daughter, Nicole, often come to the shelter to take brilliant photos of the shelter dogs for Facebook and other promotional materials. They often take a shelter dog home with them to spend the night or weekend. Not only is this break from the shelter a relief for the dogs that bunk with them, but the Simons family also can see and record how their furry guests get along with their dogs and cat. When they took in Romero for an overnight stay, they discovered the injured dog got along with their kitty. That valuable tidbit of information helped Romero get adopted to a forever home, where he now lives with two cats.

Volunteer Lisa Raphaela also is a veteran of County Shelter dog sleepovers. She and her five dogs have hosted overnights with a number of shelter canines and they’ve all found great homes.

Adoptable Ducky with Marie Gunter.

“So far, I’m batting a thousand,” Lisa said with a grin. “They learn to use my doggy door to go out and potty with the other dogs and develop better social skills. It also gives them a bonding experience with one human they can trust. I think all these home experiences help build their confidence.”

If you can help by taking a dog home for a sleepover, stop by the shelter, 333 Wire Road, or call 803.642.1537, option 3. What better time to take a shelter pet on a Doggie Day Date or Doggie Sleepover than Valentine’s month?

“Just try it,” Marie said. “Bringing these dogs home does as much for me as it does for them. “I love animals and it gives me the satisfaction of helping an animal in need without actually adopting them.”

2022, Dogs, Foster, fostering, FOTAS, neglected pets, News, PUPPIES, Volunteers

Angels work together to foster, save orphaned puppies

Posted on by Bob Gordon
09
Feb

On January 5, a woman brought seven puppies to the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Their mother had been hit by a car and didn’t survive.

They arrived with umbilical cords still attached, eyes closed, and desperate for care.

I reached out for help to our fosters and within two hours, three incredible women came to help.

seven puppies fostered.

Linda Cooper took two puppies, Beth Platt took two and Shana Pearsons took three.
These women were unbelievable! All asking immediately what to do and how to help them. They all had done research before coming, watched videos and knew the basics. I can’t tell you how heartwarming it was to see these women arrive at the shelter, calmly and confidently ready to help.

Shelter Staff Member Amanda Kaminski prepared pet carriers lined with fleece blankets and small beds. She also had bottles and puppy formula ready for each foster, along with detailed instructions.
Each of these women woke up every two to three hours during the night to feed these babies. It was no easy task as motherless puppies this young often don’t survive. Initially, they do not know how to drink formula from bottles. They are cold and need help staying warm.

“Bottle feeding puppies is certainly time consuming, exhausting and you spend lots of time worrying about them,” Beth Platt said. “However, it is also incredibly rewarding when they do well. It definitely has brought me back to when I had my babies and was up for very late-night feeds, but also a sweet time as well.”

“This was my first time bottle feeding pups as well,” added Shana Pearsons. “Wow, so cool to watch them progress!”

The women emailed back and forth, texted for advice and compared notes. They weighed the pups, took notes on potty times and kept track of how much they fed them. They worked hard to save them.
When Linda Cooper had to go out of town, Betsy Holmes took her puppies home to continue taking care of them. Betty Ryberg stepped up and took care of Shana’s pups when Shana had another obligation. It is a real community effort.

Every one of the puppies found good homes.

“The feeding schedule for these newborn pups has been demanding, as well as making sure they are peeing and pooping,” Linda Cooper said. “But this first-time experience has been very worthwhile, seeing the puppies grow and thrive against the odds and getting a second chance at life.”

Good news: all of the puppies found homes waiting for them through the shelter’s adopter wish list.

Currently, we are struggling to find foster homes for dogs (much easier to care for than puppies), puppies and soon kittens. Can you spare a week or two? Can you open a stall in your barn? Can you add one more dog to your home for five days? Questions? Call 803-514-4313 or email us at info@fotasaiken.org and we will answer any questions or concerns that you may have.

— By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

2022, animal care education, Bully Dogs, County Animal Control, County animal laws, County tethering ordinance, Dogs, FOTAS, News

County Animal Shelter is a resource, not just a destination

Posted on by Bob Gordon
24
Jan

Most people only think of the Aiken County Animal Shelter as a place to bring lost or unwanted pets for rehoming. But it is much more than that. Through its partnership with FOTAS, the shelter provides community outreach programs that help people and their pets, and works to prevent dogs and cats from ever having to be surrendered and put in its kennels.

The shelter’s first drive-thru food drive event helped community members in need feed their pets

In fact, we just hosted our first pet food assistance drive-thru event last Saturday. Local residents in need of food for their dogs and cats were invited to drive up to the shelter, where FOTAS volunteers placed bags and cans of pet food in the trunks of their cars. This event helped folks in financial need feed their pets and avoid surrendering them to the shelter during tough economic times. More such events are planned for the future. Thankfully, many generous people donate pet food to the shelter specifically for folks in financial need.

Another program FOTAS and the County Shelter provide to the community is Fido Off-the-Chain, which provides humane runners and tethering for people who don’t have fenced-in yards. When County Animal Code Enforcement officers visit homes where dogs are chained or tethered with limited mobility, they often provide runners that keep the dogs contained in the yard but allow them to run and play while ensuring their tether doesn’t get wrapped around a tree, post or other object.

“We’re not just working in the community,” said County Animal Code Enforcement Officer Rod Burks. “It’s our community, too. We love the animals, so it’s important for us to provide solutions and educate people about local regulations and responsible pet ownership.” FOTAS purchases these runners, and more are needed all the time.

FOTAS’s Home to Home program is another resource that helps county residents keep their pets out of the shelter’s kennels. It is provided for people to use free of charge – a marketing tool designed for pet owners who need to rehome their pet but do not want their dog or cat to endure the stress of being surrendered to the shelter. With Home to Home, residents can promote their pets on the FOTAS website and Facebook page and communicate with prospective adopters to find new homes for their animals safely and conveniently.

Rod Burks hugs shelter dog his crew rescued.

Programs like these, and others, help our community members and their pets in need. They also keep pets out of the shelter, where a surrendered dog or cat can sometimes endure emotional stress or even shut down. We will continue to develop community outreach programs that further establish the County Shelter as a helpful resource rather than just a destination for unwanted pets.

The shelter is currently full. We have wonderful pets who desperately need loving homes. So, please visit the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 333 Wire Road, and visit our homeless dogs and cats. To see all the pets available, go to FOTASAiken.org. Dogs are $35 and cats and kittens are only $10.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2022, Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, kennel stress, News, Pibbles, Shelter staff, SOCIAL MEDIA, Volunteers

Longest shelter resident Christopher finds his dream home

Posted on by Bob Gordon
18
Jan

Christopher had us worried. The two-year-old, 66-pound, mixed breed known for his soulful eyes, mahogany brindle coat and sweet personality was showing signs of kennel stress. He was sleeping too much during the day, refusing to greet visitors and seemed to be sinking into depression.

Christopher: loved by everyone including volunteers.


You couldn’t blame him for losing hope. As a huge favorite of the staff and volunteers, we had promoted him endlessly on our Facebook and Instagram pages, illustrating his calm and loving disposition with videos and photos. There were videos of him chasing tennis balls, getting his chest and tummy rubbed as well as photos of him hugging volunteers and cuddling staff members.

Volunteers Jen Jotblad and Kathy Samaha each shot their own special videos, expressing why they thought he would make a wonderful pet. Samaha took Christopher home for a weekend to give him a break from the noisy shelter. So did Olga and Nicole Simons. Just about every FOTAS volunteer spent extra time walking him or giving him cuddles. Jotblad put extra time into teaching him commands and enrolled him in her dog training class for volunteers. We even had a “Christopher Day” on Nov. 13 to try to attract prospective adopters. No one on our team was going to give up on this special dog.

Still, more weeks passed and no one was calling about Christopher. By far the longest resident of the shelter, he was growing tired of waiting and hardly any prospects were coming to visit him.

Then, on Dec. 3, George Straub and his family walked into the shelter lobby and asked to see Christopher.

“We saw Christopher on the FOTAS page and fell in love,” said Elizabeth Farthing, George’s significant other. “When we met him, he walked directly to my 9-year-old daughter, Rae-Ann, and then George. We spent months trying to find the perfect addition to our family. We contacted so many people and other shelters about dogs and for one reason or another, none worked out. But with Christopher, we felt like it was just meant to be. He knew we couldn’t leave there without him.”

Christopher gets selected!

Now Christopher has a real home and loving family as well as a new name, Glock. He follows Elizabeth everywhere and she considers him a “Velcro dog who loves to cuddle.” Glock spends most of the day with Rae-Ann during her home schooling and sleeps on 17-year-old Chase’s bed most nights. When the family is at the dinner table talking or playing board games, Glock puts his head in George’s lap.

“I’m glad other people passed on him because I love him to death,” George said.

The shelter is full now and there are many hidden gems, like Christopher. So, please visit the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 333 Wire Road, and visit our homeless dogs and cats in need. To see all the pets available, go to FOTASAiken.org. Dogs are $35 and cats and kittens are only $10.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

Christopher is loved in his new home.
2022, Dogs, Foster, fostering, FOTAS, kennel stress, News, Volunteers

Fostering saves lives, helps homeless pets get adopted

Posted on by Bob Gordon
17
Jan

When you put a leash on Little Bit, he wouldn’t move. The 28-pound, tan Terrier mix just shook and gazed up at you with a forlorn look on his face. The poor dog was overwhelmed with being on the Aiken County Animal Shelter’s adoption floor and just wanted to curl up in his kennel and be left alone.

After a couple of days, Little Bit began to trust the staff and volunteers enough to walk a short distance before stopping and resisting the leash, his eyes pleading to be picked up and carried back to his kennel. Each day, he was progressing – but very slowly.

Little Bit gets comfy before going home.

Despite Little Bit’s shyness and poor leash etiquette, visitors to the shelter began asking to see him. His smaller size and cute looks drew potential adopters. However, when he backed away or flinched when they tried to pet him, they either asked to see a different dog or left the shelter disappointed.

Then Rob and Stacy Wagner took Little Bit home to foster him during the four-day Christmas break. This time, the change of environment did him good. Being away from the noise and stress of the shelter helped him to relax and build confidence. He was a new dog when he returned to the shelter on Dec. 27, walking on his leash with confidence, greeting people and looking so happy! The result of his newfound poise and self-confidence? Little Bit was adopted that day.

Crypto is another dog who benefitted from fostering over the holiday break. Yvonne and Colin Brookes took the 48-pound mixed breed home and used the four days to help him decompress and learn to wait, sit and offer his paw on command. Like many of our fosters, Yvonne posted photos and videos of Crypto’s training and other activities on social media. Such promotion of shelter dogs thriving in a home often helps them get adopted.

“Crypto’s been at the shelter for so long…he keeps getting overlooked yet he’s a huge softy and lives for cuddles,” Yvonne posted on her Facebook page. “He is perfectly housebroken, sleeps in his crate all night long, and loves car rides and woodland walks. He is a very quick learner and just wants to please.” Since returning from his fostering experience, Crypto is in higher spirits and doing well. He can be adopted to a loving home for just $35.

Crypto loving life with his foster mom, Yvonne Brookes.

If you live in Aiken County and would like to become a FOTAS foster, please email info@fotasaiken.org or call us at (803) 514-4313. Or just stop by the shelter, 333 Wire Road in Aiken. It is easy to sign up and get paired with a shelter dog!

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2021, Dogs, FOTAS, kennel stress, Volunteer, Volunteers

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

Posted on by Bob Gordon
03
Jan

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 my son and I came to volunteer for the first time. I immediately loved her and wanted to volunteer on the same days she volunteered. I credit her as the reason I felt so comfortable coming back. She is one of the many surrogate grandmothers my son has been lucky to gain through volunteering. She has a warmth to her that draws not only people to her, but the dogs as well.

Sandra was one of FOTAS’ first volunteers. Over the years she has done it all – walking and bathing dogs, fostering at home and recruiting and orienting other volunteers. She and her husband Dick have adopted two Shelter dogs, Ellie and Sophie, and one Shelter cat, Maggie. They also make peanut butter and green bean treats for the dogs. We are careful how many treats we give our dogs (tummy aches), and Sandra is the only volunteer authorized by our veterinarian to make homemade treats. They get so excited when they see her coming! They start licking their lips and wagging. Sandra speaks to each, telling them how wonderful they are.

Recently, it was raining hard and Sandra and the other dog walkers got drenched! I sent them a thank you and Sandra replied, “It was my pleasure! Can’t disappoint the poor dogs that look so forward to us taking them for a walk and spending time with them.” Sandra is truly beautiful inside and out!

What motivates someone to volunteer three days a week for more than a decade?

“There are many reasons,” says Procter. “Happiness is when a shy dog looks you in the eye and comes to its kennel door excited to see you knowing it will get a walk, hugs and maybe even couch time. Nothing beats the joy of knowing one of these animals has been adopted and now has a good home. You think, maybe, just maybe, I had a part in making that happen.”

As Procter reflects on 13 years as a volunteer, she notes, “There are people friends, too. The staff is so dedicated, caring and supportive. Volunteers bond quickly. I look forward to seeing all my FOTAS family.”

Procter gives one of her doggy cookies to shelter dog.

“Opening a kennel door and having a little face look up at you as if you are the best person in the world is a feeling like no other,” she added. “A walk in the sunshine, the smell of the woods, a previously neglected or abused creature stopping on the trail to give you a hug, what could be better than that? It makes your day.”

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

2021, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Dogs, Pibbles, SELECTING A PET

Consider adopting the dog who’s been at the shelter the longest

Posted on by Bob Gordon
03
Jan

A funny thing happened with two of the dogs we adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter that made us think that we are on to something. We like to have three dogs in our household and when one of them dies, we honor their memory by adopting a new dog as their replacement.

Brownie when he lived in the shelter.

We lost Yoda about two years ago and Buster just a few months ago. We decided to replace each of them with the dog that had been at the shelter the longest, a dog that apparently no one wanted.
So, we took a chance with Meadow a couple of years ago and adopted Blaze, who we renamed Brownie, about a month ago. These two dogs that, for whatever reason, nobody wanted are the sweetest, most loyal, most lovable, most obedient, and simply the nicest dogs we have ever owned. It’s as if they knew that we saved them when no one else would.

We had concerns when these two were adopted. How would they get along with the other two? There were male/female issues. Why weren’t they adopted?

We were confident we could make it work despite those issues.

We knew that our home, and any adopter’s home, is not the shelter filled with lots of animals stressing out in kennels, making lots of noise. A dog’s behavior at a shelter does not necessarily represent who that dog really is. Our home, your home, is the dog’s castle. The dog feels more secure and comfortable in its own real home.

Our dogs run free on our enclosed property, no leashes; but when we first bring a new dog home, we train it on a leash. We introduce them to the other dogs whose first reactions are to protect their territory. But they eventually accept them when they realize the new dog is staying for good. They share and enjoy the company of a new playmate as long as they still get lots of attention.

At first, we familiarized Brownie, as we did Meadow, with every part of our home and walked him continuously outside so he learned his boundaries. We let him off leash in a fenced-in area. We continuously taught him recall, that is training him to come when we call his name. We constantly praised his good behavior. Finally, we let him off leash out in the open and watched his behavior. He would pass that test when he comes when called and basically just runs around with the other two dogs. It took about a week of constant attention and training but now he is part of the family.

Brownie finds his spot on the Miller bed.

It did not happen by magic. We took charge, invested some time and effort to get these new dogs acclimated to us and our surroundings. But we are convinced that they immediately went out of their way to be good because they were so grateful for us finally rescuing them from the shelter and giving them a forever home. All they want to do is please their owner.

Adopt any dog from the shelter but consider adopting the one that has been there the longest. You’ll be amazed at the results.

Their lives are in your hands.

— By Peter Miller, FOTAS Volunteer

2021, Adoption, DOGGIE DATES, Doggie Day Out, SELECTING A PET

Why you should adopt your next dog or cat from the County Shelter

Posted on by Bob Gordon
29
Dec

The Aiken County Animal Shelter takes in more than 4,000 pets a year and these homeless dogs and cats need community members to adopt them and save their lives. But we understand there are other shelters and rescues out there. With so many options, it can be difficult to choose where to get your pet. Here is a short Q&A to help you make your decision.

Why should you consider adopting from the Aiken County Animal Shelter?
1) Because we care. We go the extra mile to make sure your future pet has been tested with people, other animals, and we do our best to learn about their behaviors, whether positive or negative.

This sweet dog is the perfect pet for his new home.


2) We do our best to match the best pet for your individual needs such as:
• What breed do you prefer?
• What pet fits your lifestyle?
• How much time do you have to spend with the pet?
• Do you have any other pets?
• Do you have children?
• Do you live in a home? apartment? farm?

What kinds of things do we do to learn the most we can about these pets?
1) Each Saturday, from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. we have a training class in which our volunteers work with shelter dogs on basic training, leash work and obedience. We love to have potential adopters come and witness how eager to please and successful these dogs are! Who doesn’t want a dog that is already good on leash, knows how to sit, stay and be respectful?

2) We have a monthly program in which young people come to the shelter and read to shelter pets. We know pretty quickly which dogs and cats enjoy children and have the desire to be with them.

3) Monday through Saturday we hold play groups so the staff will know how each dog behaves with other dogs. We can tell their play style, whether they prefer to be with playful dogs, calm dogs, female dogs, etc. These play groups also help our more timid dogs build confidence and come out of their shells.

4) Our Doggy Day Out program allows Aiken County residents to take shelter dogs to the park or even home for the night to give the dogs a break from shelter life. We learn so much about their home behavior this way. You might even find the perfect pet this way!

Gus (left) in his forever home.

What does it cost to adopt a pet from the Aiken County Animal Shelter?
1) We keep our adoption fees very low to make it affordable. Our dogs and cats come to you spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Dogs are only $35 to adopt, cats only $10.


What are you waiting for?
Come and adopt a wonderful pet from the Aiken County Animal Shelter now! It is the best decision you will make.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Programs Coordinator