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News & stories

Keep up with all things FOTAS! Meet adoptable pets, hear from volunteers, and stay informed about events taking place in your community.

Adoption, Home-to-Home adoption program

Need to give up a pet? Try Home to Home

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
07
Oct

This summer, a friend approached me with a problem. He needed to find a new family for a cat that had come into his household. The cat, Simon, belonged to his son, who had recently had a change in his living situation. Simon was a 4-year-old neutered male tabby who was not accustomed to living with other cats. My friend’s resident cats were not happy about their new roommate, and the feeling was mutual. Simon wasn’t getting the attention he desired, either. He needed a different situation.

I told my friend what I tell everyone who asks me about rehoming a pet: Try Home To Home™.  Home to Home is a national website that connects animals needing homes with people seeking pets. There is a local chapter here in Aiken managed by volunteers from Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS). People with an adoptable pet simply write a description and email it along with a picture or two to FOTAS.HOME-HOME.ORG.  FOTAS organizes all the listings before publishing them to their website, and they promote the local Home to Home adoptable animals on their Facebook page. The Aiken County Animal Shelter also keeps an updated book with all the Home to Home listings to show potential adopters who come to the shelter looking for a pet.  People seeking new pets can search the online listings just the way they might look on any pet adoption website. The entire service is free of charge, and there are no rehoming or adoption fees allowed. (Contrary to popular opinion, multiple studies have shown that charging a rehoming fee does not correlate with successful adoption or ensure that the pet is going into a good home.)

I knew about the Home to Home website, and I always thought it would be an excellent way for a pet to find a new family. It would certainly be better than surrendering a pet to the shelter, which is traumatic for the animal and his owners, and is difficult for the shelter too, which should be reserved for animals with no homes at all. But I had no idea if anyone would have any interest in Simon and I was skeptical. It was the height of kitten season and shelters were filled with adorable little fluff balls. Who would want an ordinary middle aged tabby cat who demanded to be the only cat in the home?

But I helped my friend by writing a description and sending in the pictures he gave me. That was on a Thursday. By Saturday, we had our first inquiry. By Tuesday we had three, all from local people who just wanted a nice cat to sit on their laps. The following Sunday, 10 days after I sent in Simon’s information, my friend and his son delivered the cat to his new home. They continued to get updates about him throughout the summer, and all of them, cats and people, are very satisfied. 

I am happy too. I have recommended the Home to Home website many times, but now I know that it really works. Many animal lovers can’t imagine giving up a pet, or act as though anyone who does is acting irresponsibly. But in the real world, there are times when it is better for everyone if an animal moves on to a place where he or she will be happy and loved. Home-to-Home can help that happen. 

Their lives are in our hands.

By Pam Gleason, Editor of The Aiken Horse

2023, Lost pets, microchipping

Here’s what to do if your pet goes missing…

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Some of the many lost pet flyers posted at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. On Oct. 14, County residents can get their pets microchipped for free to help them avoid losing their pets forever.
29
Sep

It is every pet owner’s fear that their dog or cat will vanish from their sight, yet it happens every day. A dog escapes through an open gate, an adventurous cat scurries out the front door, a scared dog wriggles out of his collar while being walked and runs off…there are so many ways this fear can become a reality.

If this nightmare does happen to you, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to locate your lost pet. If you act on them right away, your chances of reuniting with your lost pet are greatly improved.

  1. Contact the Aiken County Animal Shelter at (803) 642-1537. Be prepared to provide the following information:

    – Your name and telephone number
    – Where the pet went missing / was found (cross streets & city)
    – The date your pet went missing
    – Name, sex, age, size, color(s) and distinguishing marks
    – If your pet has a collar, state the color
    – Mention if your lost animal has a microchip

  2. Post your lost pet on your social media as well as the Aiken Pets Reunited Facebook page. Be sure to include the same information you provided to the shelter and a high-quality photo or two of your pet.
  3. Visit the County Animal Shelter (and other local animal shelters and rescue groups) to see if your pet is there… and keep checking. It may take a few days or even weeks before your animal is turned in.
  4. Put flyers up in front of your house and throughout your neighborhood. Many people drive around looking for the owner of an animal they’ve found. A large yard sign will help them locate you. Email or hand deliver flyers to your local shelters and rescues.
  5. Check with local workers. Be sure to alert your local postal workers, delivery drivers, bus drivers and garbage collectors. They are in the neighborhood daily and may spot your pet.

Microchip your pet for peace of mind
A tiny microchip could be the difference between losing your pet forever or getting them back home safe and sound. It is so essential, in fact, that FOTAS and the County Shelter are sponsoring a Free Aiken County Pet Microchipping Event on Saturday, Oct. 14, from noon to 2 p.m. If you live in Aiken County, you can bring your dog or cat to the County Animal Shelter, 333 Wire Road and get them microchipped for free (normal fee is $25 at the shelter). Dogs just need to be leashed and cats must be secure in carriers.

The chip, about the size of a grain of rice, is a permanent form of ID, registered to a recovery database that holds pet and owner information. It can be read by a scanner when the pet is found and brought to a shelter, rescue or veterinarian. The chip is inserted between the shoulder blades, and your pet won’t feel a thing. We will even register your information, give you an ID tag and take care of the paperwork. All you have to do is show up with your pet and their proof of rabies vaccination.

For more information about the Oct. 14 Free Aiken County Pet Microchipping Event, please call (803) 642-1537, option 3 or email info@FotasAiken.org.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2023, Adoption, Training

Free dog training session helps adopted pets get great start

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Certified Dog Trainer Karen DeCamp gives a free, one-hour training session to folks who adopt a dog from the Aiken County Animal Shelter.
21
Sep

When you adopt a puppy or dog from the Aiken County Animal Shelter, you receive a free training session for your new pet with Certified Professional Dog Trainer Karen DeCamp. She is the President of the Palmetto Dog Club and works closely with the dogs and FOTAS volunteers at the shelter every week.

Many dogs adopted from the County Animal Shelter do wonderfully right out of the gate. They get to their new home, fit in immediately and –with the minimum of growing pains – go on to live their best life and become a cherished member of the adopter’s family.

But sometimes there are some hiccups to address early on, while the shelter dog is adjusting to their new environment. That’s when DeCamp’s expertise and professional counsel are invaluable.

“It is so important to take time to put oneself in your dog’s place during the adoption experience!” DeCamp explained. “Their life has been turned upside down. First, when they were brought into the noisy, busy shelter environment and, again, when adopted by you. All of a sudden, they live in a new home with a new daily routine with new people and perhaps new animals. Like people, some dogs adapt to change more easily than others.”

In most cases, the training involves showing the adopters standard obedience techniques such as teaching their dog how to: heel and walk well on a leash; stop jumping up on people or furniture; sit on command; or follow proper housebreaking practices. But DeCamp also helps solve more complex behavioral challenges, such as a Welsh Foxhound with confidence issues and a shy, previously abused Staffordshire Terrier who was terrified of men.

In addition to receiving the one-hour training session, adopters are provided with DeCamp’s contact information so they can call and check in with her if they have questions or need additional training advice.

“Just like with people, each dog is an intelligent individual with different strengths and a unique personality,” DeCamp said. “In addition to resulting in a well-behaved companion to live with, obedience training improves your relationship with your new pet by increasing your communication with them.”

The free dog training session is just another benefit FOTAS provides to help ensure the adoption of your new pet is successful and as easy as possible. There are many amazing dogs at the shelter who desperately need homes. Each wonderful canine is just $35. If you are thinking of adding a new pet to your home, please stop by 333 Wire Road in Aiken or go to fotasaiken.org to see all the pets available for adoption.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2023, Foster, SOCIAL MEDIA, Volunteers

Power of social media saves Jax and Crystal

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Aiken stray Crystal (left) and her new sister, Remy, found each other through FOTAS’s social media platforms.
16
Sep

While young, pretty, fluffy dogs at the Aiken County Animal Shelter typically are adopted in short order, less stunning homeless canines with physical imperfections need time and help to get noticed.

Their positive qualities cannot be captured in a photo. Their stories need to be told and the right adopter has to be reached through social media and word of mouth. This requires close teamwork between FOTAS and the shelter, as well as lots of shares and likes on Facebook and Instagram.

Take Jax for example.

Nine-year-old, brown and white, mixed breed Jax arrived at the County Shelter in bad shape. He was starving and looked like a walking skeleton. He also had an old back leg injury, likely from being hit by a car, which caused him to limp. Fly bites had scarred his ears and he was full of fleas. The senior stray had the saddest eyes, but they brightened when people greeted him.

Jax found his forever home thanks to the power of social media and a network of fosters, volunteers and FOTAS friends.
Jax found his forever home thanks to the power of social media and a network of fosters,
volunteers and FOTAS friends.

Terrified at the shelter, Jax needed a calmer environment in which to decompress. Thankfully, FOTAS Volunteer Christine Harmel took Jax home to foster him and his sweet personality began to shine as he gained more confidence under her care.

Over the next month, we posted Jax all over our social media. Still, no one came to visit him. Then his luck changed. Debbie Roland, a local realtor, saw Jax online and shared his photo and story with her uncle Dennis in Pennsylvania. His dog had recently passed away and Jax was just the kind of dog he was looking for! FOTAS arranged Jax’s transport to Dennis and the sweet dog is now living his best life.

“This morning was the first day of school up here, so all the kids were at the bus stop during his morning walk,” Dennis said. “Of course, Jax had to greet every kid.”

Another homeless dog who benefited from social media is Crystal. This three-year-old, white 46-pound mixed breed needed a home with a fenced-in yard. A true gem, Crystal loves other dogs and playing in water. Crystal just has one so-called imperfection. She is deaf.

Even after weeks of posting a myriad of videos and photos of Crystal on social media, no one came to visit her. However, just as we were losing hope of adopting her out, the right person saw Crystal on Instagram. Faye Brothers, a woman with a deaf dog in need of a friend, saw a video of Crystal shared by her daughter. When Faye learned Crystal was deaf, she knew she was the dog for her family. FOTAS arranged Crystal’s travel to Faye’s home in upstate New York and now this amazing stray and her new canine sister, Remy, are besties!

There are other homeless pets at the shelter just like these two special dogs – animals that need extra support and promotion to ensure they get good homes. Please follow FOTAS on Facebook and Instagram and share our posts with your friends. With one click, you just might save a homeless pet’s life.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2023, abandoned animals, animal abuse, ANIMAL CRUELTY

You can prevent animal neglect and abuse

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Senior dog Justice arrived at the shelter with an embedded collar – one of the worst cases the shelter vet staff has witnessed.
15
Sep

Nearly every day we see examples of animal neglect, abuse and cruelty.

Keanu was found tied up with no shelter, no food and no water.
Keanu was found tied up with no shelter, no food and no water.

Dogs arrive at the Aiken County Animal Shelter with such horrors as collars and harnesses embedded in their skin because their owners never replaced them as they grew from puppies to adults. Cats come in with their eyes bulging and covered in pus because their owners didn’t take them to a vet for treatment of upper respiratory infection. Dogs and cats arrive with broken limbs that were never treated, causing them to heal incorrectly and creating lifelong mobility issues. (Sometimes these injuries require amputation.) Then you have the pets that come in with bullet wounds or pellet fragments lodged in their bodies.

Not all of the neglect and abuse is physical. Some of these animals arrive afraid of their own shadow because of the mental abuse they’ve experienced.

Groot was abandoned in an empty trailer.
Groot was abandoned in an empty trailer.

This cruelty needs to stop. But the only way to prevent it is through pet care education and punishment to those who treat their pets horribly. It also requires all of us to be more aware of animal cruelty and promptly report it when we see it. If you witness animal neglect or abuse, please call your local animal control agency as soon as possible. If you live in Aiken County, call (803) 502-9000, extension 3704. Or email enforcement@aikencountysc.gov.

Animal cruelty can be as evil as intentionally hurting or torturing an animal to just improperly feeding or caring for a pet due to ignorance.

To see evidence of past animal abuse and neglect, all you have to do is look at the medical records of some of the shelter’s current residents. There are a number of adoptable dogs at the shelter who have endured the cruel actions of humans, including:

Carson – This gentle mixed breed arrived with a severe head wound. He may have been hit by a blunt instrument. Six-year-old Carson is a cuddle bug loved by our volunteers.

Groot – Abandoned in a trailer, four-year-old Groot was skin and bones when a County Animal Code Enforcement officer rescued him. Since being at the shelter, he has learned to play with other dogs and developed into a confident pup.

Poor Parker arrived at the shelter with an embedded harness that had to be surgically removed from his skin.
Poor Parker arrived at the shelter with an embedded harness that had to be surgically removed from his skin.

Justice – This poor senior dog arrived with one of the worst embedded collars our vet has ever seen. Justice is so sweet and looking for a forever home.

Keanu & Keiki – These two-year-old siblings were tied up their entire lives and found without shelter, food or water. Good Samaritans called and reported the situation and now the dogs are healthy and looking for good homes.

Parker – This wonderful three-year-old mixed breed was found with an embedded harness. Now healed, Parker is playful and affectionate but would do best as an only pet.

Amazingly, all of these dogs have remained sweet and loving. They will make wonderful pets! Please come visit them at 333 Wire Road in Aiken, SC.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

By the Numbers: The Aiken County Animal Shelter received 379 Aiken County animals during the month of August, bringing the total to 3299 Aiken County animals so far this year.

2023, Foster, fostering

Sharing the Love

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Fosters get a drop off hug from Shana
30
Aug

My camera roll is full of videos and pictures of many puppies and dogs who have visited my life. These dogs may be in my backyard or in the den. They might be chasing a ball, or squeaking a toy, or finding the perfect patch of sun to lie down. The puppies are probably rolling all over each other or nipping each other’s ears. There are pictures of sleeping pups and videos of snoring ones.

Foster giving his sweet puppy eyes
Foster giving his sweet puppy eyes

I cannot adopt another dog right now despite the fact the shelter is overloaded with so many animals. But, I can do the next best thing and foster one! The Aiken County Animal Shelter’s fostering program gives me the benefits of having another dog (loud tail, cute ears, funny noises) without the physical and financial burden.

I have enjoyed fostering for years. It is so rewarding, but on occasion, I may need some help logistically. I recently unlocked the game changer- becoming a “co-foster!” My mother and I both enjoy fostering puppies and dogs, but our schedules may have conflicts with the foster needs. Multiple friends also want to foster, but only for a night or two.

Now, with this setup, we communicate with each other about our available days and nights. The dog may start their week with me. When planned, I drive the dog (and their stuff!) to my mother’s or friend’s. The foster ends their week in another safe home.

Since I have heard many of the same fostering questions, I want to share the basics:

    • All fostering supplies are provided: crate, food, bed, and toys.
    • Fostering is short term. You’ll receive a text or email asking for available fosters. Look at your calendar. Can you fit it in for the next 3 nights? A week? Great! No pressure if you are busy – maybe next time?!
    • Having a foster is low key. You do not need to implement a training regime. These animals need a safe, soft place to land. Their crate in your quiet(ish) home is perfect.
    • When an animal is in your care, you have support of the shelter staff and foster coordinator. I have texted with questions or concerns many, many times.
    • You may fall in love. It happens. I remind myself: The foster pups are here to learn about a safe home and build confidence. I am here to love them temporarily, so they can find forever love next.

Co-fostering is win-win for the dog and for both of us fostering. The dog continues to get more comfortable (and, thereby, more adoptable) in a home environment. And, we are both able to enjoy time with a foster dog without changing any of our plans.

Find a friend or a family and say, “let’s try it”. You can share the scheduling load.

Then, at the end of the week, y’all can share loads of sweet pictures and funny videos.

Chat about fostering. Sharing a volunteer task with a friend can be so much fun. These animals desperately need us to work together. Their lives are in our hands

By Shana K Ryberg, Foster Volunteer

2023, adopter feedback, Adoption

Wonderful homeless pets are matched with adopters

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Finn gets a hug from his best friend, Charlotte.
24
Aug

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.

Caprice was the missing piece
Caprice has fit into our family amazingly! She is the perfect dog for us. She loves walks and going for rides in the car. All three boys are absolutely in love with her. She is the most relaxed, well-behaved dog I have ever dealt with. We have spoiled her rotten. Caprice was definitely the missing piece to our family. I am so thankful for her. –Penny Goggans

Second adopted dog bonds with first
Emmaly is doing great! She is the sweetest, happiest dog. She was house trained and is not at all food aggressive. Emmaly wants everyone to play and be happy with her! She gets along well with her big sister, Hila (adopted from the County Shelter nine years ago), who is happier and more active now. Thank you for both my sweet Emmaly and Hila! -Beverly Pyle

Finn is a sweet angel
Finn is a sweet cat who loves playing. He is very loved by his 6-year-old best friend, Charlotte. She often calls him her “baby” or her “sweet angel”. Charlotte is always building him a bed out of pillows and blankets, and making him toys to play with. –Sydney Walters

Lemon loves her new sister
Lemon is growing so fast and doing amazing! She loves walks, car rides, pup cups, naps, and playing with us and her sister, Heidi. She is eating well, almost fully potty trained, and crate trained. We’re so glad we could add her to the family. Thank you for reaching out to check on our baby and for helping us with the adoption process! -Jordan Nix

Lillie enjoys playing in the rain, hates baths
Ruby (now Lillie) is doing very well and has adapted to her new surroundings. She is about 50 pounds now and all up to date on her puppy shots. She loves everyone, including our cat. She loves playing outside in the rain even when it storms, but hates baths. Sometimes she plays by herself with her numerous dog toys and it is very entertaining to watch. Everyone that meets Lillie adores her. She is a perfect fit in our family. -Amber Hayes

Gentle Reba is part of the family
Reba (now Luna) has been wonderful! She loves absolutely everyone and loves all of the attention. She is such a gentle giant. Thank you so much for matching us perfectly. –Ashley Felker

There are so many more wonderful dogs and cats at the County Shelter who need a second chance for a good life. Please visit them at 333 Wire Road or go to fotasaiken.org to see them online. Dogs and puppies are $35, and cats and kittens are only $10.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2023, Adoption, animal abuse, ANIMAL CRUELTY

Twenty dogs from cruelty case find loving homes

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Bandit heads home with his new “dad.”
19
Aug

When the Aiken County Animal Shelter is not teaming up with FOTAS to help find forever homes for dogs and cats at the facility, it is dealing with even more heartbreaking work: rescuing pets from cruelty and neglect, and lawfully punishing those responsible for their suffering.

A County Animal Code Enforcement officer recently responded to a complaint of dogs running around loose and looking underfed. When the officer arrived at the home, he discovered 20 skittish, emaciated dogs and puppies covered in fleas. He also found three dead dogs who likely expired from being stuck inside with no air conditioning, the doors and windows shut – and no water.

With the facility at full capacity, shelter staff took in the large group of dogs, age two months to four years old. Three of the eight puppies needed fostering in order to become more socialized and to give them time to recover from their surgeries.

“The dogs were full of parasites and extremely skinny, with their ribs showing,” said Aiken County Animal Shelter Manager Bobby Arthurs. “Our shelter is specifically designed to rescue these animals that have been neglected or abused, and to do all we can to prosecute the owners of the pets.”

However, this cruelty case could not have come at a worse time. The shelter was already so full, dogs were doubled up in kennels.

“It put a huge strain on us at the shelter, where we were already at our breaking point,” Arthurs said. “But with the support of FOTAS and the great work of our staff, we got through it and found good homes for all of the dogs.” One of the cruelty case dogs found a home in the Midwest. A woman from Indiana saw Pixie, a skinny black and white puppy, in a FOTAS video posted on social media. She called the shelter and her partner drove all the way to Aiken to take her home. She and her partner were true angels!

Of course, celebrating these adoptions must be short lived because there are many more animals who need assistance. Just this week, two more cruelty cases were investigated, including one with four dogs living out in the hot sun tethered with little to no shelter. Two of the dogs had dirty water; two had nothing to quench their thirst. One dog had a heavy chain wrapped around his neck and could barely move because the chain was tangled around a tree. These dogs are now safe at the shelter and their owner was charged with cruelty and neglect.

“We are so appreciative of the local response to save these dogs –including adopters, fosters, volunteers and staff,” said County Shelter Adoption Coordinator Hillary Clark-Kulis. “However, these dogs came out of our community and we know there are other dogs facing similar deplorable living conditions that need our help. So, if you see something, please say something.”

Their lives are in our hands

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2023, abandoned animals, Home-to-Home adoption program, surrendered pets

The shelter is not a drop off point for unwanted pets

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Sweet black Lab mix Onyx is 1-1/2 years old, 90 pounds and wonderful with other dogs. Yet his owners left him behind when they moved away.
10
Aug

When you walk through the kennels at the Aiken County Animal Shelter, it is easy to pick out the owner-surrendered dogs. The stray dogs are more at ease as they are happy to have regular feedings and a safe spot. The owner surrenders, however, are typically in the back of their kennels shaking, vomiting, and sometimes spinning uncontrollably from stress.

They are scared, confused and their chances of finding homes are lower. In fact, due to the anxiety they experience from being left at a shelter, owner surrendered pets often become unadoptable.

Please do not take your pet to the shelter. Instead, rehome them on your own by using our Home to Home program, which features a website that helps you market your pet and adopt them out directly from your residence.

The shelter is designed to help with stray, neglected and otherwise hopeless animals. It is not meant to be a drop off center for unwanted pets. The shelter is a resource, not a destination.

Misconceptions about surrendering pets
Many citizens believe we can find great homes for all the pets we take into the shelter. But we cannot. The shelter takes in more than 4,000 dogs and cats a year. Do the math; it is impossible. While FOTAS and the Aiken County Animal Shelter work tirelessly to find homes for adoptable animals, we also ask people to show compassion and fulfill their responsibility to their own pets.

We are saddened by the number of calls we receive from people wanting to surrender their pets. The reasons given are often problems that can be solved with a little time and dedication.

Here are some of the reasons given:

We have made the tough decision to surrender our dog so he can find a family that has more time and patience to work with his behavioral issues.

If your dog has behavioral issues, please contact a trainer. The shelter is consistently overwhelmed and there is limited time to work on those issues in a facility filled to capacity.

We are moving.

Take your pet with you! Look for a pet friendly rental.

He has become food aggressive towards our other dogs.

Try feeding the dogs separately. Have you considered getting a crate to feed him in? It is extremely difficult for us to adopt out a dog with any kind of aggression and he will be at risk of being euthanized if he comes to us.

She chases cats and runs off because she has a high prey drive.

We cannot adopt out animals with a high prey drive. Imagine the risk in a shelter environment with all the other animals. If she is escaping your yard to run, there are ways to keep pets contained.

What to do if you must rehome your pet

Instead of putting your pet through the trauma of being in a loud, full shelter, try our Home to Home program available free of charge on our website, fotasaiken.org. Or ask your family members, neighbors and friends if they can help.

If you cannot afford to feed your pet due to personal economic challenges, we can help. FOTAS holds a Community Pet Food Drive-Thru once a month for Aiken citizens in need of assistance. Our next Pet Food Drive-Thru event is Saturday morning, Aug. 19.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

2023, animal care education, Children, dogs playing for life, FOTAS, Junior FOTAS

The P.A.W.S. Building at the Aiken County Animal Shelter

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Children play with a puppy in the PAWS learning center.
04
Aug

On Friday, the County Council and FOTAS held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new PAWS Building (Primary learning, Adoption, Wellness, and Socialization) at the County Shelter. It’s been a long-time coming, and I’m not referring to the scourge of all construction projects over the past years—COVID-related delays like labor shortages and supply-chain issues—of which there have been many.

No, I’m referring to a dream-delayed, a grand vision postponed since 2014, when the new shelter opened to critical acclaim. The County and FOTAS had expended their money and resources (and then some) to build a proper, humane animal shelter to care for and rehome the County’s abandoned, abused, and neglected animals. But the Shelter and FOTAS dreamed of something more: a place where an animal and prospective adopter could meet in a quiet, private place to get acquainted; a place to hold training sessions for the animals; a place for humane education for the Junior FOTAS program. In short, an important resource where it would be possible to 1) increase our odds of making the animals more adoptable (and appealing) to prospective adopters, and 2) educate folks about humane animal care so that an animal doesn’t have to come to the shelter in the first place.

Now that dream is reality. The PAWS building includes two, quiet, home-like rooms where an animal and a potential adopter can get to know each other in peace. For all of us who have had the joy of adopting a beloved family pet from the shelter, you know what it’s like. You select a prospect in the adoption pod from among the barking animals anxious for your attention. A staff member takes Rover out into the play yard for you to meet, but Rover is so excited about being out and distracted by all the smells and activities around the yard, it’s impossible to connect with him in a meaningful way. In the end, you pass on Rover because that “spark” is missing. So sad because Rover could have been that once-in-a-lifetime dog. The two new meet-and-greet rooms will change all that.

The PAWS building also includes a large, open room for dog training sessions, obedience classes, and Junior FOTAS events where children can learn about heartworm prevention, the importance of spay-neuter, and humane care. It provides a safe place to hold play groups for the dogs when the weather is bad. The room is also a place where a potential adopter can introduce the new dog to their resident dog to make sure they’ll get along. And last but least, PAWS includes a free-cat roaming adoption room and outside catio.

“The PAWS Building is an important tool in our dual mission to save every adoptable animal and to ultimately make the shelter a resource and not a destination,” says Jennifer Miller, President of FOTAS. We are so grateful for our legacy gifts, current donors, and the County for making this dream a reality. With this resource, we can potentially reduce the discouraging intake numbers and help every homeless animal become a loving and responsible family member.”

Amen to that. Sometimes wonderful things are worth waiting for. Please support our mission by volunteering, fostering, and donating your time and money.

Their lives our in our hands.

Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice-President