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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, Cats, News

What Would the Fox Say?

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Jun

by Edie Hubler, FOTAS Director

Okay, okay, this is a column that’s supposed to be about dogs and cats, not foxes. But I had to get your attention, didn’t I. So my article’s title is really “What would the cat say?”

Have you ever thought about why people like cats? Well, I asked one of our current feline residents of the C.A.T.S. (Cats at the Shelter) House at the Aiken County Animal Shelter to give me some reasons. Her name is Trixie, a female tabby, currently looking for her FURever home, but she agreed to be interviewed and is glad to share her thoughts with you:

Cats are cute, cuddly and affectionate (and I am too.) Agnes Bye, Ellie Joos and Carleen Overman, three FOTAS volunteers, visit me and my other cat friends here at the Shelter a lot. They think we are “the cat’s meow.”

Speaking of meow, that’s how we talk. Plus we purr and we chir. We learned to do these things when we snuggled up against our mamas while nursing, during kittenhood. We think of our human adopters as substitute parents. So we’ll purr, chir and meow to them too.

We are great hunters, and sometimes we will bring you a gift of our prey (or a really good cat toy). We like to be praised, just like our humans do.

We also know that sometimes our humans need to be taken care of, so we give them love and treat them like our kittens.

We love to take naps, and someone famous (the writer here told me it was William Lyon Phelps) once said “A cat pours his body on the floor like water. It is restful just to see him.” Yep, and that brings me to the fact that owning a cat often reduces the human owners’ stress level, improves mood, reduces loneliness. Humans tell us it’s very relaxing to sit quietly with a cat, petting and listening to us purr.

We don’t need to be entertained as we are inquisitive — we are quite capable of entertaining ourselves. All we need is a simple piece of string, a feather, an empty box, a cotton ball, an open washing machine, a flushing toilet, squirrels that I can see from the window — we are very curious and much fun to watch.

Many famous people are/were cat lovers—like Marlon Brando, Robert E. Lee, Marie Antoinette, Vanna White, John Lennon, Mark Twain, Cee Lo Green, George W. Bush, Katy Perry, Abe Lincoln and Martha Stewart.

We are meticulous and keep ourselves clean. I could go on and on, but I need to turn this space back to the writer.

Thank you Trixie for selling us on the joys of cat ownership. She didn’t tell you also that by adopting a cat, you would be saving a life. That should make you feel good too!

Here is an offer you can’t refuse — this week (June 15 – June 21) you can adopt a cat from the Aiken County Animal Shelter (333 Wire Road) for just $9 (that is a great discount from our usual $35 fee) — the promotion is called 9 Lives for $9 and we are participating along with many other shelters across the United States. The promotion is supported by the national animal welfare organization Best Friends Animal Society and the Best Friends’ No More Homeless Pets Network, of which FOTAS is a member. $9 covers shots and spay/neuter.

And don’t forget, today is Father’s Day — it’s never too late to honor your dad with another special gift.

And to you—stay cool/be cool, adopt a cat (or two.)

For more information, email info@angelhartlinedesigns.com or visit www.fotasaiken.org

FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 333 Wire Road.  For more information, contact “info@angelhartlinedesigns.com” or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org.

AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER: “BY THE NUMBERS”

Correction to statistics in last week’s edition:

First Four months of 2014 (January – April):
Received 1088 animals (733 dogs and 355 cats)
Adopted/Transferred 572 animals (521 dogs and 51 cats)
Euthanized 616 animals (308 dogs and 308 cats)

AIKEN COUNTY SHELTER “PETS OF THE WEEK”
**All adoption fees include:  spay/neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.

GEORGIA — American bulldog, female, 3 yrs old, 37 lbs. Only $70

OREO — Domestic short hair—male—9.5 lbs. Only $9

News, Training

Forgotten Dogs and Troubled Veterans

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Jun

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTASDirector

It is late afternoon at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Jerry Lyda, a man with curly graying hair and twinkling blue eyes, stands in front of a rangy, muscular boxer crossed with Lord-knows-what-else named Olivia. He is holding up a piece of hot dog in his closed hand.

Jerry knows something about dogs—he has trained them all his life.

Olivia focuses intently on Jerry (or maybe on the hot dog—I can’t tell.) She prances at his feet.

I hold my breath. Olivia is the Michael Jordon of dogs – capable of jumping to astonishing heights from a standstill. I fear she will spring up on those powerful haunches and snatch the hot dog and a finger or two with it.

“Olivia, sit,” says Jerry in a calm, but firm, tone. She cocks her head, thinks about it, resumes prancing.

Undaunted, he holds the treat a bit higher, takes a step closer and repeats the command.

“Olivia,” he says, sit.”

She cocks her head again; the wheels are turning. Slowly, she begins to lower her rear end to the ground. Is this what you want? her look says.

It is. Jerry showers her with praise (“Good girl, Olivia, good girl!) and rewards her with the coveted bit of hot dog.

He turns to me with a big smile and says, “I LIKE this dog.”

I was delighted. Jerry is a Vietnam veteran and the founder of Veterans K9 Solutions in Augusta, a nonprofit organization that matches shelter dogs with veterans suffering from PTSD.

“Each year,” says Jerry, “300,000-400,000 veterans are diagnosed with PTSD. The military estimates that 22 veterans commit suicide every day – 22!”

He shakes his head. “Our love for dogs and gratitude towards those who served makes our goal simple – give back to those in need by saving two lives at once: a traumatized veteran and a homeless dog.”

I had contacted Jerry about Luci, a young boxer cross who had been surrendered to the shelter by a distraught serviceman being deployed overseas. He cried when he handed Luci over. He was heartbroken; we all were.

So Luci held a special place in our hearts. She was affectionate and quiet, and the idea of placing her as a service dog seemed so right given how and why she had come to the shelter.

Jerry agreed to check her out.

Olivia was a different story. Strong and athletic with boundless energy, I fretted over her fate. Who could possibly be capable of harnessing all that force and spirit?

As it turned out, longtime FOTAS volunteer Ellie Joos was; she saw promise in Olivia. Ellie began basic obedience work with her under the guidance of Nancy Webster, a local trainer.

Olivia surprised me: I was stunned by the difference in her behavior after just 2 weeks of training. She was softer, more relaxed. I asked Jerry to take a look at Olivia, too.

In the end, Jerry accepted both Luci and Olivia into the Veterans K9 Solutions program – an outcome that makes us all, but particularly me and Ellie, ecstatic and proud. Luci has already been placed with her veteran (love at first sight, says Jerry), and Olivia continues her training with Jerry until her veteran has completed the necessary paperwork.

Can there be a more important or noble purpose for a dog?

As for Jerry Lyda, I am humbled by his dedication and vision. The man radiates kindness—it hovers around him like morning mist over a mountain pond.

No wonder dogs love him.

For more information about Veterans K9 Solutions, go to www.veteransk9solutions.org.

News

Where the Money Goes

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Jun

By Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Director

On a sunny day in April, FOTAS volunteers Dottie Grant, Colleen Timmerman and FOTAS board member, Charlie Timmerman, set out on a mission of kindness, practicality and community service: collect 12 dogs of various sizes and breeds from a disabled man in the County and transport them to the SPCA surgical center to be spayed and neutered.

They loaded 12 crates into Charlie’s horse van and headed out.

“We didn’t know what to expect,” says Colleen. “Would the dogs be friendly? Would we be able to catch them? Would they be crazed and anxious once they were crated? So we came prepared with sedatives, muzzles and gloves.”

Their fears were unfounded. All 12 dogs were friendly and easy to catch. They went quietly into their crates and settled down for the journey to the clinic.

By the way, it is not an accident these dogs are well mannered and friendly—the man has loved and cared and doted over them for years. Permanently disabled in a car accident in his early 20’s, the dogs are an important part of his life, giving his days purpose and joy.

He just didn’t have the resources to spay and neuter them.

That’s when FOTAS got involved. FOTAS agreed to organize the pickup and delivery of his dogs to the clinic to be spayed and neutered, fund the cost of the surgery, and take them home.

FOTAS is an all-volunteer organization funded entirely by the generosity of private donors. Virtually every dime of the money raised by FOTAS through its website, annual solicitations and special events go directly to support the County shelter, supplement the County’s low cost spay/neuter voucher program, and fund its spay/neuter programs, Lenny’s Brigade and FOTAS Fix-a-Pet.

In the past 16 months, FOTAS organized the pickup, delivery and return of 342 dogs and cats and paid for their surgeries.

That is in addition to funding shelter needs to supplement the County’s resources for the thousands of animals consigned to the County’s care annually – items such as fencing and sod for the exercise yards, an irrigation system to maintain the sod, crates for dogs in foster and for transport, a new nozzle for the wash tub, a hot water heater for the cat house, climbing stations for the cat colony, immune booster supplements, flea and tick sprays and shampoos, toys, identification bands, treats, collars, leases, supplemental vet care and medications, to name a few.

“It is an overwhelming amount of work to care for and attempt to find homes for the thousands of animals (4800 last year) consigned to the County shelter and to wage war on the County’s overpopulation of animals,” says Jennifer Miller, the President of FOTAS. “It’s like sweeping back the ocean with a broom. It would not be possible without the financial support from the community and the volunteers—they are the ones that make it all happen.”

So, back to the story of the 12 dogs – the next day, after all 12 dogs had been surgically fixed, Dottie, Colleen and Charlie loaded the dogs back up in the horse van and took them home. The man was waiting in the yard.

“When we opened the crates,” says Colleen, “the dogs rushed to the man and danced around him, tails wagging. They were so excited to be home. As we pulled out, the man was all smiles, hugging his dogs and laughing.”

Her voice cracks.

“It was really a good day.”

Uncategorized

Reflections and Rewards: What Keeps Me Coming Back?

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Jun

by Sharon Reeves, FOTAS Volunteer

On a Monday morning eight weeks ago, I responded to a call for volunteers to help at the new Aiken County Animal Shelter. I had not assisted at the shelter before, and I feared the sight of all those homeless animals would make me sad.

But that morning, I had a specific mission: to help get every dog out for a morning walk. I figured if I stayed focused on the larger good, I could live with that; so off I went.

Eight weeks later, I am still volunteering, and here’s why.

1. Many of the dogs are house-trained and wait patiently to be walked to do their business outside. This keeps me coming back.

2. Many adoptable dogs, puppies, cats and kittens need handling, petting, basic training and socialization to make them more adoptable: it makes a big difference in the adoption rates. This keeps me coming back.

3. Dogs need physical and mental workouts every day; one does not substitute for the other. When a dog has physical walking time with a volunteer as well as a positive mental training experience, that dog has a much better day. This keeps me coming back.

4. Volunteers develop the skills to help the dogs with basic obedience skills, like sitting, waiting, and (so important!) walking on a leash without dragging the volunteer. Learning these skills and watching the improvement in the dogs: wow! This keeps me coming back.

5. The shelter staff, volunteers, and FOTAS do a fabulous job of finding homes and placements for the adoptable animals. I don’t have to take them home with me! It makes my heart sing to hear that the animals I have worked with have found new homes. This keeps me coming back.

6. I love spending time with like-minded fellow animal lovers – people who care enough to give their time. I have made new friends of both the people and animal variety. This keeps me coming back.

7. Working with the dogs and other people gives meaning to my day and keeps my mind sharp. This keeps me coming back.

8. FOTAS and the shelter staff are team-oriented and open to new ideas, which makes the shelter a welcoming, friendly place for the volunteers, the staff and the community. This keeps me coming back.

9. I am surprised and tickled by how quickly the dogs I have worked with have been adopted. I helped save their lives. This keeps me coming back.

There are so many ways for you to volunteer with FOTAS: planning special events, assisting with fundraising, fostering a shelter animal in need or training new volunteers for service.

You might want to work at the front desk to greet the public and assist with adoptions, or give tours of the new shelter. Your skills can be put to good use, I promise.

Your time is a valuable gift. Just a few hours a week can and will make a difference in the lives of these unfortunate animals.

It made a difference in my life; it will make a difference in yours, too.

I keep coming back, and once you get involved, so will you.

We need your help. Please call the FOTAS hotline at 803-514-4313, or drop by or call the Aiken County Animal Shelter at 333 Wire Road (803-642-1537). For more information, email info@angelhartlinedesigns.com or visit www.fotasaiken.org.

FOTAS volunteers work with the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 333 Wire Road. For more information, email info@angelhartlinedesigns.com or visit www.fotasaiken.org.

By the Numbers: May 12-17
Adopted/Transferred: 40 dogs, 17 cats
Year to Date: 408w

Adoption, News

Back in Black: the Beauty of a Black Pet

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Jun

by Joanna Dunn Samson, FOTAS Director

Black is the chicest of colors. Coco Chanel once said, “A woman needs just three things; a black dress, a black sweater, and on her arm, a man she loves.” Gianni Versace said, “Black is the quintessence of simplicity and elegance.”

The black robes of a judge symbolize morality and justice.

The black robes of priests and pastors symbolize a connection with God.

In the 1960’s, a new generation of young people challenged conventional ways of thinking, and black became the color of individuality and intellectual rebellion.

Black is an artistic color. “Black is a force,” said impressionist painter Henri Matisse, who said he always chose black when he didn’t know what color to lay down on the canvas.

So if black symbolizes elegance, simplicity, justice, spirituality and art, then how come black dogs and cats take 4 times longer to be adopted from a shelter than their lighter counterparts?

The rescue world calls it “Black Dog Syndrome,” a well-known, but little understood, phenomenon. Black dogs and cats are often passed over by potential adopters for a variety of relatively vague reasons, like indistinct facial features and “generic” body types – issues compounded by poor lighting in many shelters – and size: large black dogs are even harder to adopt out.

Here’s an even more perplexing fact: a large majority of the black dogs at shelters who do not get adopted are Labrador retriever crosses, yet year after year, Labs top the list of the most popular breeds in the country. They are friendly, playful and promiscuous in their love of humans. They are goofy, good-tempered animals – an excellent choice for families with children.

Here’s another fact: the traditional black Lab is far and away the most popular and prevalent color of the breed – possessing sleek, muscular bodies that shine like polished ebony.

So why do black lab mixed breeds endowed with the same admirable and lovable qualities have so much trouble finding forever homes?

It makes no sense. Take a tour of any animal shelter, including the Aiken County shelter, and you will often find medium to medium-large sized Lab crosses with bubbly, affectionate personalities, just waiting for a family to love, entertain and protect.

Black dogs and cats are victims of an irrational prejudice and a genetic formula that determines color. Despite negative portrayals in literature and ancient folklore (think black cats and witches or the black hounds of hell), there is not a shred of evidence that black dogs are more aggressive or untrustworthy than their lighter colored brethren. Ninety-nine percent of the time, aggression is a function of abuse and poor training – not a function of color.

FOTAS is a network member of the Best Friends Animal Society, which is dedicated to rehoming shelter animals all over the country, and Best Friends has designated the month of May as national “Back in Black” month.

In honor of this national promotion, the Aiken County Animal Shelter has reduced adoption fees for black dogs to $33 and for black cats to $13 through May 31. This fee covers spaying and neutering, all necessary vaccinations and microchipping.

Two black Shelter puppies, Brooke and Logan, were recently adopted by this young woman and her mother. Why don’t you come on over to the Aiken County Animal Shelter like they did and take home your next best friend. By the end of the day, you will be snuggled up on the couch watching American Idol with a happy black bundle of pure love.

AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER: “BY THE NUMBERS”

May 5, 2014 – May 10, 2014
25 dogs and 10 cats  SAVED

Year to Date:
351 terrific pets  SAVED

Events, News, Woofstock

It Was a Perfect Day to Howl

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Jun

Or crow, or yip, or bark, or meow … any communication was just fine.  FOTAS sponsored its third Woofstock event last week… the day was perfect and so was the crowd.

At 10:30 am on Saturday, May 3, we turned the new Aiken County Animal Shelter into a festival of which to be proud. Many hands went into making this another memorable event, so allow me, as the Chairwoman, to howl about it.

Heather Wiseman was my co-chair, and special she is. She rounded up her friends and sent them out on the streets soliciting business sponsorships. The Aiken business community was generous with their support, and we can’t thank them enough.

Carole Stamm is a true friend — I twisted her arm, so she couldn’t say no. She headed up the Ride to Woofstock for Spay/Neuter fundraiser, which was part of the overall Woofstock umbrella. I’m proud to say that with Carole’s leadership, we raised 70% of our goal.

Ellie Joos, a devoted Shelter volunteer dog walker, was the Publicity chair and she did a fabulous job. In addition, Bob Gordon, another Shelter volunteer, coordinated publicity with the media.

The Woofstock music was fabulous. For the 3rd time, Scott Ferguson and his 4 Cats in the Dog House played live music during the afternoon. Jason Shaffer of JRS Entertainment created the play list together with his dad, Bob, who DJ’d the morning music.

Palmetto Dog Club Agility Demonstration

Kudos to Brad Williams, a strong FOTAS and Shelter supporter, who was the “sound man,” and despite a late night at the Lobster Race on Friday evening — he had arrived at the Shelter bright and early. Because of his technical expertise, the Palmetto Dog Club had sound for the agility and obedience demonstrations, as did our emcee and announcer, Mike Gibbons.

And speaking of the dog contests, our student judges (Hope Dyches, Reagan Houck, and Reece McCarthy), adult judges (December Clark of Barkmart, Nancy Webster of Dog Days Workshop, Sybil Davis DVM, and County Council Members Ronnie Young, LaWana McKenzie, Kathy Rawls, Andrew Siders, and Scott Singer), and Dog Contest facilitator Dottie Gantt took their jobs very seriously — tough to select the 1st and 2nd place winners, but they did a stupendous job.

A long line of exhibitors presented their wares to the festive crowd. Thanks to Aiken Balloons, Aiken Dry Goods, Aiken Pet Fitness & Rehab, Barkmart, Equine Rescue of Aiken, Hair of the Dog, Herbal Solutions, Hollow Creek Animal Hospital, Lap of Love, Sweet Ambrosia Farm, Veterinary Services of Aiken and Wyatt’s Bed & Biscuit. Our food vendors were also a hit — Bruster’s Ice Cream of North Augusta and Coach T’s Diner.

And last, but most importantly, the many FOTAS volunteers who help us at the shelter, as well as at special events came through again: Pam Blades Eckelbarger, photographer; Sue Erwin, EMT; Valorie Vance and Susan Hamlin’s South Aiken High School SERTEENS; Donna Eisenhart’s Silver Bluff High School National Honor Society members; LCDR Tony Negron’s South Aiken High School NJROTCcadets. Their assistance was invaluable.

And on behalf of all the dogs and cats who were adopted that day into FURever homes — woof woof, meow meow – (that’s “thank you” in animal speak, by the way). A bunch of their furry friends are waiting at the shelter for someone like you to come and take them home, so hurry on down.

Board of Directors

A New Day — A New Board

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Jun

What does a retired international businesswoman, a bank president, a veterinarian, and a priest have in common?

They all serve on the FOTAS Board of Directors.

It took us 3 years to convince Caroline Simonson to join the Board. Caroline was one of the first volunteers recruited by Jennifer Miller in 2009. She devotes 4 mornings a week, every week, to the shelter walking and socializing dogs, assisting new volunteers, and helping evaluate dogs for transfer.

Before she and her husband Bill moved to Aiken in 2004, Caroline worked at the New York Stock Exchange, raised a daughter and worked for an international company that sold cars and vehicles to the military, diplomats and embassies.

After I moved to Aiken, I volunteered with other community organizations, but once I started working with FOTAS,” says Caroline, “I knew I had found my calling.

Frank Townsend is the president of the Aiken County Southern Bank & Trust. An Aiken native, Frank is married to Beth, and has four lovely children – Frank, Jr., Pinckney, and the twins, Wallace and Wright – and two shelter cats, Charlie and George.

FOTAS appealed to Frank to join the Board because of his deep ties to the Aiken community and his financial expertise, skills important for a growing non-profit organization raising money in the community for various activities. We also were impressed with his optimistic, soft-spoken manner, so we made a full court press.

Jennifer Miller was very persuasive,” says Frank “I was appalled by the huge intake and euthanasia numbers in the County. I knew I wanted to help. I just couldn’t say no.

Dr. Charlie Timmerman is a highly respected veterinarian who started his own small animal practice in Aiken 42 years ago. He is married to Colleen, who works closely with FOTAS’ Lenny’s Brigade and Fix-a-Pet programs. They have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.

It’s obvious why we were so keen on Charlie: the depth and breath of his veterinary experience with small animals was and has been essential. He’s a no-nonsense kind of guy with a measured response to problems. We need that.

“I believe in getting involved,” says Charlie, “and I believed I could make a difference in the well-being of the shelter animals by working with FOTAS.”

We assured Charlie that working with us would not interfere with his time with his grandchildren, his quail hunting and most importantly, any Clemson games. Maybe we secretly crossed our fingers as we made that promise, but Charlie’s adroitly managed to work it all into his rich and busy life.

Father Grant Wiseman moved to the Diocese of Upper South Carolina in 2009 with his wife Heather and his twin daughters, Audrey and Abby. Aside from being the rector for St. Thaddeus in Aiken, Grant is very active in governance of the Diocese and serves as a trustee of the Gravatt Camp and Conference Center and Dean of the Gravatt Convocation.

Grant, Heather, Audrey and Abby have fostered in excess of 300 puppies over the past 5 years. Aside from his and his family’s obvious dedication to helping the County’s homeless animals, Grant is a kind, optimistic and practical man also with deep ties to the community and extraordinary organizational experience.

“Our family strongly believes that puppies who spend the beginning of their lives being held, named and loved are far more adoptable than those who are not,” says Grant.

He’s right – virtually all of their puppies have gone on to find loving homes through our transfer partners.

This is a great Board,” says Jennifer Miller. “They are movers and shakers in the Aiken community and have been instrumental in the evolution of FOTAS to an organization able to make an enduring difference. They work together beautifully as a team, which makes the hard work of FOTAS not only productive, but pleasurable. I am grateful for their commitment.