Author Archives: Shana Ryberg

2023, Foster, kitten season, kittens

Kitten season is coming! Here’s what you need to know

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
23
Mar

Kitten season is just around the corner. In fact, baby felines are already starting to trickle in. Last Friday, the Aiken County Animal Shelter received a litter of two-week-old kittens after a car hit and killed their mama. Soon, Good Samaritans will be discovering newborn and toddler felines all around the County.

Kitten season is an annual phenomenon, starting in April, peaking in July and August, and usually concluding by late October. The most important fact to remember about the season is that a kitten’s best chance for a long and healthy life is with their mother. If you are walking outside and stumble upon a lone kitten or an entire litter, look for any sign of their mother. Before you pick up any kittens, determine if she is around. The mama cat instinctively knows how to nurture and protect her young, and her milk provides the kittens with powerful nutrients vital to their immune systems.

Mother cat w kittens

If the kittens are underage (less than two pounds or younger than eight weeks old) and mom is still around and taking care of them, leave the kittens where they are until they are weaned. To help the mama cat, you can provide shelter and put out food nearby.

If the kittens’ mom is not around, wait at least two hours to see if she comes back. If she doesn’t return, please consider fostering the kittens (or find someone who is willing to foster) until they are at least two pounds.

We have kitten kits to help you foster
Since the shelter does not have the capacity to properly nurture and socialize underage kittens, we need community members who find feline babes to step up and foster them. Once they are old enough to be spayed/neutered (two months old), the shelter staff will ensure they are adopted to good homes.

FOTAS provides “kitten kits” containing instructions and the supplies you need to take care of found kittens until they are old enough to come to the Aiken County Animal Shelter. The shelter has kits customized for infant kittens as well as older kittens.

While kittens under four weeks old must be bottle fed, older kittens just need a little of your time to nurture and socialize them. If you are unsure of their age or care needs, you can bring kittens to the shelter for assessment. We can help you decide on a plan for adoption or direct you to other options, including our TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) program, which is free to Aiken County residents, or the spay/neuter voucher program.

Foster volunteers needed for kittens
Citizens are sometimes unable to bottle feed and socialize the kittens they find, so we have a small team of FOTAS fosters who take in babies and give them the care they require. These volunteers save many felines every year. To join this special team, please go to fotasaiken.org or call the shelter at (803) 642-1537, option 3.

Their lives are in our hands
By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2023, Adoption, Dogs

Help change the luck of some deserving County Shelter dogs today

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Rosemary is a sweet girl who is hoping her luck improves today.
17
Mar

FOTAS and the Aiken County Animal Shelter are having a St. Patrick’s “Change Their Luck” adoption event today, Saturday, March 18, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Today only, FOTAS sponsors will be paying for all pet adoptions.

Stop by 333 Wire Road in Aiken, SC, enjoy some complimentary St. Paddy treats, and let the shelter’s adoption counselors help you find your furry lucky charm!

The shelter kennels are doubled up and we are housing many wonderful pets who just need a lucky break. These homeless animals deserve love and security.

Here is just a sampling of the County Shelter’s adoptable dogs:

Caprice: Sweet Caprice is a wonderful dog who is somehow being overlooked by potential adopters. She is a lovely black Lab mix who is six years old, 57 pounds and easy to walk.

Elle gets along with most dogs and is a cuddle bug.

Elle: Brindle and white Sweetie-pie Elle is wonderful with most dogs, walks wonderfully on a leash and is in urgent need of a good home. This mixed breed is three years old, 57 pounds and well behaved.

Handsome: Three years old, 81 pounds and extremely playful, Handsome is not a dog you can miss seeing on our adoption floor. This blue and white guy loves other large dogs. He’s like a big puppy!

Janna has a gorgeous white coat and likes other dogs.

Janna: Pretty, white Janna is three years old, 50 pounds and extremely sweet. She is a little shy but quickly bonds with people she knows. This girl gets along with most dogs and deserves the best home. 

Rosemary: Poor Rosemary arrived at the County Animal Shelter covered in bite marks and some of her teeth filed down. She likely was used as a bait dog by a dog fighting operation. But despite her past abuse, this three-year-old, 54-pound stray is a cuddly sweetheart. (tongue out picture above)

Merry: She’s been here longer than any other dog in the adoption wing. She’s one of the friendliest dogs you’ll ever meet and gets so excited when prospective

Pretty Merry is wonderful but has been at the County Shelter longer than any other dog.

adopters visit her. Blue and white Merry is three years old, 52 pounds and playful. She would do best as an only pet.

 

Sosa is loving, playful and likes playing with other big dogs.

Sosa: Two-year-old, 56-pound mixed breed Sosa is a playful, active and goofy dog. He insists on giving you a hug when you greet him. He likes running in the play yard and enjoys rolling around on his back and chasing tennis balls. Sosa has a rich, red coat and likes big dogs who enjoy playing rough & rowdy style.

For more information about Saturday’s “Change Their Luck” adoption event, please go to fotasaiken.org, where you can view photos and details about all the animals available for adoption. Or contact the Aiken County Animal Shelter, (803) 642-1537 (option #3).

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2023, adopter feedback, Adoption, Pibbles

Shelter Adoptions are Great

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
23
Feb

My son Wesley, after grieving over the loss of his chocolate Labrador Retriever, decided it was time for another dog. Instead of looking for a registered breed and being advocates and supporters of FOTAS/Aiken Country Animal Shelter we decided to pay the Aiken Country Animal Shelter a visit.

We made an appointment and on arrival Kathy took us on an adoption tour. It was immediately obvious that Kathy’s passion for these animals is surmount to just a job. Kathy patiently showed us the huge number of dogs ready to be adopted. The shelter was overflowing from the recent large intake of surrenders.

Although so overcrowded, we were very impressed with the cleanliness and how well maintained the entire facility was kept. Even more impressive was the care these animals were receiving no matter their physical condition, size, shape or breed. Each kennel has a detailed list of the animal’s condition, the treatment needed and thus far provided. Also, another post contained behavioral notes detailing any issues, a schedule for volunteers of when the dog had last been walked and details like leash trained, pulls when walks, jumper, etc.

After a lot of going back forth we finally picked out a medium size 2 year old Pibble (Pit Bull mix), Jelly Bean. Kathy got her out of the kennel. Wes got on the floor with Jelly Bean who quickly convinced Wes she was his dog.

Now three weeks later things could not be better. Jelly Bean came housebroken, out retrieves our yellow Lab mix (also an adopted stray) and loves the country life. No registered breed needed. Save those big bucks. For a modest adoption fee you can get a neutered/spayed, microchipped, smart, forever special and loving family companion.

Although already impressed with the entire adoption process at the shelter, we received this email:

“Good morning Ms Tyler! I am emailing you as you recently adopted Jelly Bean and we just wanted to see how everything was going. Behaving?? Eating well?/ Playing well with everyone?? Adapting well?? If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reply to this email or give as a call. We would love to see any pics you have to share! Thank you so much and we look forward to hearing from you!”

I’m not sure you would receive this level of care and concern from anyone else. It will always be the shelter for our next dog. PLEASE consider a PIBBLE. They are great dogs!

Our family sincerely thanks and appreciates all the FOTAS volunteers and staff that work at the shelter on a daily basis. Your efforts to help teach socialization skills to get these animals to their forever homes speaks volumes about your character and compassion.

Their lives are in our hands.

by Allison, Rhonda and Wesley Tyler, Aiken County Shelter Adopters

2023, County Animal Control, microchipping

County staff & Good Samaritan team up to return pet home

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
County Animal Code Enforcement Officer Dave Byerly (pictured with adoptable dog Desert) picked up a lost Husky from Good Samaritan James English’s home and delivered her back to her owner. Thanks to these two men, as well as support from other County staff, the Husky never had to go through the stress of being put into a shelter.
17
Feb

When James English crossed paths with a stray Siberian Husky mix while on his way to work, he wasn’t sure what to do.

“I was driving down the road I live on and suddenly this dog ran in front of me, so I slammed on the brakes,” he said. “When I opened the door to get out of my truck, she hopped right up into the front seat.”

The clean, well-groomed Husky had a collar and English thought the dog must be owned by someone in the neighborhood. So, he knocked on doors and asked people in the community if they had ever seen the dog before or knew where the dog lived. But no one recognized the pretty canine.

English was aware that Aiken County Animal Shelter was full, so he didn’t want to surrender the lost dog there except as a last resort. After days of searching for the Husky’s owner, he brought her to the shelter, where the staff scanned the dog and discovered she had a microchip. Her name was Fiona, and she lived four miles from where English found her. They contacted the owners and County Animal Code Enforcement Officer Dave Byerly arranged to pick up Fiona from English’s residence and deliver her back to her home the next morning. English said his girlfriend and her daughters appreciated being able to take care of Fiona for one more night before saying good-bye. The shelter staff, likewise, was thankful that English took good care of the lost Husky, helping to keep her out of the shelter while they tracked down her owner.

Use FOTAS & the Shelter as a resource

Most people only think of the Aiken County Animal Shelter as a place to bring lost or unwanted pets for rehoming. But it is most importantly a resource to help residents with their pet ownership and rescue efforts. Through its partnership with FOTAS, the shelter provides community outreach programs that not only benefit people and their pets, but also help to prevent dogs and cats from ever having to be surrendered and put in its kennels.

We now hold monthly pet food assistance drive-thru events. During these events, local residents in need of food for their dogs and cats can drive up to the shelter, where FOTAS volunteers place bags and cans of pet food in the trunks of their vehicles.

FOTAS also offers Fido Off-the-Chain to the community. This program provides humane runners and tethering for people who don’t have fenced-in yards. The County’s animal code enforcement officers usually deliver these tools to residents on a needed basis.

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.

We’ll continue to develop community outreach programs that further establish the County Shelter as a helpful resource rather than just a destination for unwanted pets.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2023, adopter feedback, Adoption

Adopters find their furry soulmates at the County Shelter

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Little Girl in her new home
03
Feb

After pets are adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter, staff members follow up to see how they are doing in their new homes. Here is some recent feedback from our adopters.

Shy Maine Coon kitten proving to be extremely snuggly
Just wanted to update you on Wesley (now Murphy), the orange Maine Coon. He’s doing so well! He hid for the first several days but has started to come out and socialize a bit and he’s probably one of the most snuggly and affectionate kittens I’ve ever seen. We haven’t introduced him to our other cats yet, but he’s getting more comfortable with my husband and I. We are so grateful that you guys waited for us to get there – he’s an awesome addition to our family!
Kelsie & Elwood Davis

Blue-eyed Ocean benefitted from her fostering
Ocean is doing well and we love her. She loves toys and she loves our cat! Please let her foster mom know we will take good care of her.
Lydia Willing

Loving Lola is coming out of her shell
Lola is happy and healthy! She loves hard bones, playing rope and being with me! My partner and I keep saying look at how happy she is. We are in Maryland now and the weather is getting cold! She has a coat or two that she loves! From the first week to now, she’s been opening up and doing more. I’m so happy that Lola and I found one other.
Samantha Lebarron

Selene is training to be a service dog
Selene is doing amazing! She’s with me 24/7 as she’s in training to be a service dog. Everyone is amazed at how calm and well behaved she is despite her young age. She’s taken everything pretty naturally. Her name now is Riga.
Kira Zapolskikh

Victory sleeps on the nearest person or animal
Jasmine, who we have renamed Victory, has been a phenomenal addition to the family. Within five minutes of getting her home, she became instant best friends with our other dogs. She does have moments where she chases cats because they’re interesting to her, but that is decreasing. She is a big cuddler, always laying down on whoever is on the couch or bed. And taking a nap on everyone – humans, dogs, or even cats.
Dominic Gazzelli

River is a love bug, even with the cats
Little Girl, who is now named River, is doing wonderfully and has settled in well. She is the most affectionate love bug with her people, and is getting along well with our cats.
Laura Jones

The County Shelter has many wonderful pets just like these desperately waiting for loving homes. This Saturday, Feb. 11, we are having a special event to help you find your furry Valentine. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., we’ll be serving Mocktails & Pawderves. Dog adoptions will be only $14 and we’re even going to feature a doggie kissing booth. Stop by 333 Wire Road in Aiken, SC, and let our adoption counselors help you find your perfect match!

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2023, Dogs, Volunteer

Learn to take great pet pics from top photographer Verrecchio

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
27
Jan

Taking top quality photos of our pets can be a challenge. Even the latest smart phones with advanced camera technology are often no match for a squirming puppy, shy dog or grumpy kitty. The photos come out blurry. Or they’re too dark or overexposed. When we do manage to get our pets in focus with decent lighting, they’re facing away from the camera or they look tense and nervous.

Well, no worries because help for taking better pet photos is on the way. Renowned photographer Vince Verrecchio is coming to the Aiken County Animal Shelter this Saturday, Feb. 4, to share his tips for taking great animal photos. His free demonstration will start at 1 p.m. and is open to the public.

Verrecchio is an award-winning photographer who has had his work published in countless publications. He founded a highly successful advertising firm and has been a professional shutterbug for more than 55 years. He currently volunteers his time to take photos of homeless dogs and cats at the County Shelter, which are promoted on FOTAS’s social media platforms to help get them adopted to loving homes.

In advance of this Saturday’s event, we sat down with Verrecchio and asked him some questions about pet photography:

What is the biggest mistake people make when they take photos of their pets?
Impatience. People don’t take enough time. They just take a snapshot and they’re done. You’re not going to get a good photo that way. You need to talk to your pet and relax them. If you rush the photo, the body language of the dog or cat is not going to be positive. People also tend to frame the pet too far away. You want to capture the pet’s personality and focus on their eyes. So, you want to get up close.

Can you teach anyone to be a good photographer?
Yes, anyone with patience and attention to detail. They also need to be flexible in their thinking and have a willingness to improve. You can’t teach people to be an artist, but you can teach them to practice greater creativity.

What elements make for a good photograph?
I call them the six C’s of a good eye. The six ‘C’s are applicable to any photography whether it be of products, events, landscapes, people or animals. The C’s are: concept, content, composition, color, contrast and crop.

What drives your passion for photography and desire to share your knowledge with people?
Photography helps me stop time and make sense of the world. It captures a moment we can keep with us. Plus, photography is a great way for me to exercise my creativity. That’s my sense of purpose. I consider it a gift I’ve received, and I want to share it with others.

To reserve a spot at Vince Verrecchio’s pet photo tip session this Saturday afternoon at the County Animal Shelter. 333 Wire Road, please email info@fotasaiken.org.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2023, Therapy Dogs, Transfer, Volunteer

Remembering a Great Friend

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
19
Jan

FOTAS has been blessed to have many wonderful volunteers and supporters for the past 13 years. There are still volunteers helping FOTAS who started volunteering on day one. The volunteers form an unbreakable bond and many become lifelong friends. Over time, sadly, FOTAS has also lost some of its volunteers and supporters.

One of those lost was Stephen Briggs who passed away this past September at the age of 85. He was a renaissance man whose interest in and support of the Aiken County Animal Shelter helped save many animals.

He was born and raised in Wisconsin and after graduating college entered the family business of manufacturing outboard motors that his grandfather started. This job had him traveling all over the world including Europe, South America, and the Middle East where he even spent two nights in a Baghdad jail.

In the mid-1970s he left the corporate world when he started an import/export business and expanded it to include a freight company. He beat cancer, married his second wife Doris Teeling, and then retired with Doris to Naples, Florida. Never one to sit still, he reinvented himself once again and, with an old friend, opened the very successful Old Naples Pub and the Village Pub in Naples.

Fun and adventure were always a part of Stephen’s life so he and Doris continued to travel around the world climbing mountains and doing all kinds of crazy things. In 2003, at the age of 66, he took up horseback riding. Stephen and Doris would drive their SUV up and down the east coast with their two horses and 4 dogs when they discovered Aiken and the Hitchcock Woods. They moved to Aiken in 2008.

Stephen became very active in Aiken’s animal community. He had one of his dogs, Serena, receive accreditation as a therapy dog from a very strict therapy organization. Serena became the highlight of his life bringing comfort to the sick and needy at hospitals, nursing homes, and special needs classes in schools. Serena had a gift with autistic children as more than one parent told the Briggs that their non-verbal child would suddenly start talking about Serena.

Stephen became very interested in the shelter and FOTAS. He and Doris adopted and fostered many animals from the shelter. He was staggered at the number of animals the shelter received each year. He made it his mission to help FOTAS attain their goal of never having to euthanize an adoptable pet knowing that, before FOTAS, more than 90% of all animals brought to the shelter were euthanized and most were adoptable.

He realized that not enough pet owners were spay/neutering their pets and there were simply not enough local adopters available for all of the animals eligible for adoption.

Stephen, therefore, took a keen interest in FOTAS’s transfer program which involves FOTAS networking and then transporting adoptable animals to no-kill shelters all over the country. All animals and shelters are carefully vetted and it is a timely and expensive process. But it works.

Stephen recognized this and was one of the program’s biggest cheerleaders and financial supporters for many years.

We will miss him.

By Jennifer Miller FOTAS President

2023, Volunteer

FOTAS volunteers: Why they donate time to the shelter

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Jody Clark feeds a shelter dog on Thanksgiving.
13
Jan

When you volunteer at the Aiken County Animal Shelter, you become part of the FOTAS family. Our volunteers walk and socialize with the dogs and play with the cats, which makes them more adoptable. They also organize and staff special events and assist at the front desk, as well as help with administrative matters and fundraisers.

But rather than just describe the many possibilities of volunteering, we thought it would be more valuable for you to hear directly from five cherished volunteers – why they joined FOTAS and what they personally get out of the experience.

Joanne Goble, 4-year volunteer
“I originally volunteered because I had lost my husband and found a purpose in helping the dogs. Now, it has become my life. This is what I do. This is my purpose in life. Not everybody is going to get that emotionally attached, but helping the pets at the shelter is what I look forward to each day.”

Joanne Goble sits in the lobby with Mac.
Joanne Goble sits in the lobby with Mac.

“Making a difference in just one dog’s life and witnessing a good adoption is a feeling like no other.”

Linda Leblanc, 3-year volunteer
“I have witnessed the transformation of a frightened and confused dog as it sits in a corner into one who learns to love and to play again (or for the first time). The bottom line is volunteers simply prepare a dog to be adopted. That is why I became a foster.”

“Can you spare 10 minutes of kindness? With leash in hand, you select a dog, causing great joy in that kiddo because he gets out of his kennel for a trail walk and someone to pay attention to him. It’s the easiest 10 minutes of joy you can possibly give.”

Ed Stevens, 7-year volunteer
“I love dogs but my wife is allergic to them, and we can’t have them at the house – so this is how I get my dog fix. I walk six to seven each day in the afternoon, Tuesday through Friday.”

“You get a lot of pleasure and a sense of accomplishment when you walk these shelter dogs – because you’re doing something for the dogs and community. Plus, you just feel better after you walk a dog. I also like getting to know the other volunteers.”

Malia Koelker, 4-year volunteer

“Volunteering for FOTAS is fun, relaxing and rewarding. The shelter gives me purpose and joy. Somebody is always happy to see me. There is great camaraderie and conversation with other volunteers is easy. Walking the dogs also helps keep you in decent shape.”

Jody Clark, 4-year volunteer
“There are so many opportunities to help the dogs and cats – both with hands-on and administrative activities. FOTAS is a great organization and I value the friendships that I have with fellow volunteers. The quiet time in the woods with a dog, playing fetch in the yard with an athletic pup, or sitting on one of the benches or couches for cuddles are all great ways to play a small role in helping these homeless pets while they wait for their happy adoption day.”

FOTAS volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization. The County Animal Shelter is full, and we need more volunteers to help us. If you are interested in joining our team, stop in and see us or call (803) 642-1537, ext. 3 or send an email to info@fotasaiken.org.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2023, Adoption, DOGGIE DATES, Doggie Day Out, Volunteer

My Wonderful Date with a Shelter Dog

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
06
Jan

Here’s Minnie from the Aiken County Animal Shelter on our Doggie Day Out recently. Most of her life has been spent having litter after litter, starving for food and love, and being treated like trash.

But this was her day. Time away from the crowded stressful shelter where she’s finally up for adoption — hoping the tall odds against her don’t win over a loving home and happy future.

Because that’s all she wants: to be chosen and loved.

Minnie was perfect on our day together. She has one of those soft mouths that gives face kisses and tenderly takes treats from your hand. She’s gentle and loving with babies, older people, and everyone in between. She also adores dogs – big and small – and can’t wait to greet them.

Overall, the best words for her are happy, affectionate, curious, and easy. Whatever you’re up for, that’s good with her, too.

Minnie rides in the car perfectly and has wonderful manners in public. She loves a trail hike or walk through the park, but she also loves town life. She visited Bravefriend Downtown where she got loving and pumpkin treats, Downtown Dog where she got more loving and more treats, and the local Wendy’s where she enjoyed a hamburger with more enthusiasm than they’ve seen in a while.

What’s a Doggie Day Out and why do them?

Shelter dogs run out of time in more than one way. We’re so crowded now that there are multiple dogs in kennels meant for one. Being public, the shelter can’t turn away new dogs no matter how many come through the door, and no matter how ridiculous the reason is for disowning them.

But shelter dogs waiting for months in these kennels also break from stress. They’re not meant to live like this, and it takes a toll. Even more when they’ve got trauma from being given away by people they loved forever, or their beloved owner dies, or they were bait for dog fighting. The sad stories don’t end.

So, these Doggie Days Out (or overnights or weekend visits) give them a much-needed break, they get more socialization, and we learn more details about them so we can post better stories and match them better with the few adopters who show up.

If you live in Aiken County and you’re interested in a Doggie Day Out, email FOTAS (info@fotasaiken.org) for details. Or just stop by.

And if you’re open to more love in your life, no matter where you live, please consider adopting Minnie. She’s extraordinary and when you consider all she’s been through, her love for people is mind-boggling.

Minnie is 4 years old, 50 pounds, spayed, vaccinated, housetrained, and microchipped. She pulls a little on a leash, but it’ll only take a little training to fix that. Her adoption fee is only $35.

The shelter is located at 333 Wire Rd, Aiken SC. Stop by or email info@fotasaiken.org to schedule a meeting with Minnie.

Please support the shelter any way you can. Their lives are in our hands.

By Martha Anne Tudor, FOTAS Volunteer

Home-to-Home adoption program, Spay/Neuter, TNR Program, Volunteer, Volunteers, Where your donations go

Christmas Gratitude

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
31
Dec

The last week of the year is a time of reflection for FOTAS—a time to take stock of our blessings; to consider the remarkable progress we and the Aiken County Animal Shelter have made in making the world a better place for the County’s homeless, abandoned, and abused animals.

Since 2009, our life-saving programs have expanded to include not only helping with the care and re-homing of every adoptable shelter animal, but to initiatives to help folks keep their animals at home (like augmenting the County’s Spay/Neuter financial assistance for citizens-in-need, sponsoring pet food drive up’s and pet food donations to community food banks, including our partnership with ACTS and Senior Service-Meals on Wheels, sponsoring free pet microchip events, and providing humane runners for dogs who have been tied to a chain all their lives). In addition, we also have implemented programs to help folks avoid surrendering animals to the shelter in the first place, like our successful online Home-to-Home initiative and the TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) for community cats.

This time of year is also a time for FOTAS to celebrate those who have contributed to our successes.

Thanks to Aiken County for making it possible to save the lives of thousands of homeless animals in the County. The strength of its commitment is evidenced by the thoughtful care and maintenance of the public animal shelter on Wire Road that opened in 2014. Our partnership grows stronger with each passing year.

Thanks to Paige Bayne, the County’s Enforcement and Animal Services Director; Bobby Arthurs, the Shelter Manager; Dr. Nancy Rodriquez, the Shelter’s veterinarian; and all the Shelter staff for their commitment to increase the opportunities for each adoptable animal to find a forever home.

Thanks to the army of volunteers who make the work of FOTAS possible – everything from manning the front desk; walking and socializing dogs; managing canine play groups; working special events and fundraisers; fostering dogs; organizing transfers; manning off-site adoption events; working on publicity, social media, and financial record and bookkeeping responsibilities; and coordinating FOTAS-Fix-a-Pet activities.

And finally, thanks to you, the Aiken Community, for your extraordinary generosity and support. You have made it possible for FOTAS to help the County provide the best possible care and outcome for its shelter animals.

All that effort has paid off: for the past four years, the shelter has been able to save every adoptable animal. That’s a big deal.

But right now, the shelter is in crisis. Intake numbers have exploded nationally, and the County Shelter is no exception. Blame fast-paced population growth in the county; inflation; COVID, FLU, RVS outbreaks; chronic shortages in spay/neuter services—you name it—but overcrowding is a serious problem. At a time when we should be celebrating the season, the shelter is shockingly full for this time of year. Animals are doubled up in the kennels, the temperatures are bitterly cold, and staff and volunteer resources are stretched to the max. At this rate, the shelter’s ability to save every adoptable animal in 2023 is in jeopardy.

God bless you and your family during this holiday season, and may God bestow his blessings on the county’s homeless animals during this difficult time.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President