Category Archives: 2024

2024, Foster, kitten season, kittens

What to do if you find a kitten in Aiken County

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
30
Mar

What do you do if you are walking outside and see a mewing kitten or an entire litter of adorable, newborn baby felines?

First, determine if their mother is around. Kittens do best when they are with their mother, who instinctively knows how to nurture and protect her young. The mother’s milk provides the kittens with vital nutrients for their immune systems. If the kittens are underage (less than 2 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 until they are at least two pounds.

Kittens have the best chance of survival with their mother. However, if she is out of the picture, orphaned kittens need fostering until they are at least two months old.
Kittens have the best chance of survival with their mother. However, if she is out of the picture, orphaned kittens need fostering until they are at least two months old.

Kitten season phenomenon
Kitten season is coming. Newborn and toddler felines are going to be popping up all around the County. It is an annual occurrence, starting in April, peaking in July and August, and usually ending by autumn.

Since the shelter doesn’t have the capacity to properly nurture and socialize underage kittens, we need community members who find infant felines to step up and foster them. Once they are old enough to be spayed/neutered (three 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. These kits are 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
Because citizens are sometimes unable to bottle feed and socialize the kittens they find, we have a small team of FOTAS fosters who take in babies and give them the care they require. These dedicated volunteers save many felines every year. To join this special team, please send an email to info@fotasaiken.org or call the shelter at (803) 642-1537, option 3.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2024, bonded pets, senior pets

Cancer victim’s beloved dogs desperately need new home

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Ghost (left) and Phantom’s owner died from cancer, so these sweet senior dogs need a new loving home.
21
Mar

Recently a woman contacted us from out of state and informed us that her brother, an Aiken County resident, had passed away from cancer. He left behind two dogs that he loved, and his parents were driving from far away each day to feed them.

We tried to find them a home together by posting them on Home to Home, a rehoming online service that we offer on our FOTAS website. Unfortunately, weeks passed and the dogs still had not found a home – so a family member brought the bonded pair to the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

These dogs are amazingly sweet! They are so grateful for the love and care given by the volunteers and staff members. They are older which doesn’t help their adoption chances. They are also larger dogs, which doesn’t appeal to some adopters. The thing is…they are spectacular dogs and they deserve better. Their owner loved them, and we can see why. These two just want to please people. They are gentle and loving and we are hoping to find them a home (or homes) soon.

This is the description the woman, Kathy, wrote about the two dogs:

“Phantom and Ghost are really sweet dogs needing a new loving home now. Phantom is about 11 years old. He loves to love on people and is easily excited to see you, though a bit softer in his golden years. Ghost is about 8 years old. She is a happy and energetic one.

They take commands of sitting and staying well, and respond great to treats, particularly tuna and chicken. They both take quickly to strangers and have a lot of love to give.

When my brother lived in his house, they were inside/outside dogs. My parents have been doing what they can to provide food and water during this difficult time, but cannot sustain this and are unable to provide them with the long-term love and attention they need and deserve as precious beings.

My brother rescued them years ago, at different times, when they were younger and gave them a lot of his love. He shared with me how much he loves his ‘pups’ about a week before he passed. I told him I was going to make sure they would be well-cared for, which seemed to soothe his mind a lot. I want to honor this moment with my brother. I live far away, so at this time I am working with FOTAS (an incredible organization!) to find these sweethearts a beautiful, forever home, where they will be cherished for as long as they live.

Phantom and Ghost have been through a lot and deserve a new home that supports them the best. They are sweet companions. This is a difficult process to go through, and a lot gets stirred up for many people, but right now I am needing to give my energy and trust to them having a beautiful home together.

We are willing to transport Phantom and Ghost outside of the Aiken, SC/Southeast area, depending on location and circumstances. We would really love them to be adopted together, for their overall health and well-being.”

Please stop by the County Shelter to meet Phantom and Ghost. If you have any questions or need more information about them, call (803) 642-1537 or email us at info@fotasaiken.org.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

2024, abandoned animals, kennel stress, surrendered pets

Owner surrendered pets have a difficult time in shelter

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Pretty Dixie is getting over the trauma of being left at the shelter by her owner.
15
Mar

It is so hard on them. Pets surrendered to the Aiken County Animal Shelter by their owners desperately struggle to understand their situation. Suddenly finding themselves in a strange place with strangers and other scared and confused animals is a shock to their system. One minute they are secure and cozy in their home with their favorite human(s); the next minute they’re being led on a leash to a kennel, not knowing their fate.

Some surrendered pets adjust to their new surroundings fairly quickly, but many go through a mourning period and initially can’t accept their new reality.

Dixie, a 10-year-old, white, mixed breed recently surrendered by her owner, barks weakly at visitors when she is in her kennel. Scared and upset to be here, she expresses her displeasure to anyone who will listen.

However, once she is out of her kennel, Dixie calms down and becomes more social with both people and other dogs. She is slowly becoming more comfortable at the shelter and we’re confident she will be a wonderful canine companion once she finds a new home.

Jalapeno was heartbroken when his owner died and he was brought to the County Shelter.
Jalapeno was heartbroken when his owner died and he was brought to the County Shelter.

Most dogs and cats are surrendered because the owner’s circumstances change, not because there is anything wrong with their pet. In some cases, people can no longer afford to care for their pet; they need to move and their new housing does not accept pets; or they no longer have the time to spend with them. Sometimes owners pass away, and their pets are surrendered to the shelter by a family member or friend.

That is what happened to 7-year-old Jalapeno. This handsome black and white mixed breed’s owner unexpectedly died, and he had no place else to go. When he first arrived at the shelter, he was despondent and vocal in his kennel. But once he got to know the volunteers and staff, he began to relax and adjust to his new environment. He is ready to find his forever home.

Cutie Stevie shut down after being abandoned by her owner, but now she’s ready to move on and begin a new life with an adopter.
Cutie Stevie shut down after being abandoned by her owner, but now she’s ready to move on and begin a new life with an adopter.

Because of the anxiety they experience from being left at a shelter, owner surrendered pets can shut down or act out, making them less adoptable.
Stevie, a cute one-year-old, white and brindle Retriever mix, was abandoned by her owner. She was rescued by an Aiken County Animal Code Enforcement officer and brought to the shelter. Terrified and shaking uncontrollably when she first arrived, Stevie has steadily gained confidence and now goes on walks and snuggles with our volunteers. She is ready to find a new, better home.

While we understand that life happens and can become overwhelming, especially during difficult times, there are alternatives to surrendering your pet. Instead of putting your pet through the trauma of being in a loud, packed shelter, try our Home to Home program available free of charge on our website, fotasaiken.org. Or ask your family members and close friends if they can help.

If you cannot afford to feed your pet due to personal economic challenges, 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, April 13.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2024, animal abuse, Doggie Day Out, neglected pets

Doggie dates help shelter pups like Adalyn find loving homes

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
07
Mar

On Saturday, February 24, my son and I were allowed to borrow a dog from the Aiken County Animal Shelter for a couple of hours. It’s a program called Doggie Day Out. We have enough pets at home that we were not looking to adopt, but wanted to give a shelter dog a great experience (who doesn’t like a break from their routine with a fun field trip?). Once we completed and signed a short form, a staff member introduced us to 7-year-old, 40-pound Adalyn. She is a sweet girl who liked us immediately. The feeling was mutual!

We got to the car and she hopped into the backseat with my son, as if she knew she was in for a fun day. My son loves the park, so we headed for Odell Weeks to walk some laps before going to the playground. Adalyn was the best girl! She absolutely LOVED her walk, with her and my son even jogging at times. She was energetic, enthusiastic, and spirited. She enjoyed drinking from the doggie water fountain, too! Everywhere we went, we encountered men, women, and even toddlers who wanted to give her pets and attention. Adalyn was patient and enjoyed it all.

After the park, we went to a coffee shop to get Adalyn a pup cup. At first, she was hesitant about drinking her pup cup but shortly lapped it up.

Adalyn Got Her Forever Valentine!
Adalyn Got Her Forever Valentine!

We then took Adalyn to Petco because we wanted her to return to the shelter with some toys and treats. Her visit there went smoothly. She did want to jump up and check out everything, and was especially interested in the ferrets and cats. But she listened to us when we corrected her, and then was on her best behavior.

We returned her to the shelter after a full two hours out. It was one of the hardest things for us to do. Whoever adopts Adalyn, will be rich in love and luck! She is the sweetest girl with a big smile.

Because we enjoyed spending time with Adalyn so much, we booked another day to take a pup on a field trip. I hate the idea of the dogs waiting for homes being stuck in their kennels, unable to enjoy a fun car ride, walk, hike, pup cup, or human companionship outside of the shelter. Going on a doggie date relieves them of shelter stress and builds their confidence. It’s also a wonderful program to help introduce shelter dogs to people who are interested in finding a companion to add to their home.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Wendy McDaniel, FOTAS Volunteer

Epilogue:
Adalyn was rescued from a home of neglect and brought to the County Animal Shelter on Jan. 30. Scared and confused, she was passed over by prospective adopters for a month. However, just five days after her doggie date with the McDaniels, a woman in Beech Island adopted Adalyn. Today, Adalyn is doing great, living out her golden years with companionship and love.

If you would like to take a County Shelter dog on a date, just stop by 333 Wire Road or call us at (803) 642-1537, ext.3. You can also email info@fotasaiken.org to sign up for a Doggie Day Out.

2024, adopter feedback, Children, Training

Adopted deaf shelter dog learns sign language

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Ghost (formerly known as Boogie) at his new home with his human siblings.
01
Mar

When cutie-pie Boogie arrived at the Aiken County Animal Shelter as a hungry stray, it didn’t take him long to win the hearts of the FOTAS volunteers and shelter staff. The white, 2-year-old, 40-pound mixed breed made everyone smile with his goofy grin and outgoing personality. A true social butterfly, we thought he would be adopted as soon as he became available.

What we didn’t know when he first arrived is that sweet Boogie is deaf. Being a special needs pet made rehoming him a bit more challenging. However, the staff and volunteers worked with Boogie and taught him some sign language gestures, which he picked up quickly.

It took a month before someone adopted him. Unfortunately, they returned Boogie the next day because their other dog didn’t want to share the house with another pet. So, Boogie waited for another chance.

It took some more time and patience. But after weeks of being overlooked by shelter visitors, Boogie met Brittany Cook and his life changed forever.

“When we saw him on Facebook, we just had to meet the handsome boy,” Brittany said. “From day one, we fell in love with his big personality and were thrilled with how quickly he became attached to me and my children.”

Boogie’s new family renamed him Ghost and promptly took him shopping. The day we brought him home, my daughter Lona and I took him to PetSmart where he picked out his teddy bear that he sleeps with,” Brittany said. “Ghost loves his toys. He still has his favorite red toy that he had at the shelter and all the tennis and rubber balls that a dog can dream of.”

To help Ghost adjust and feel more comfortable in his new home, Brittany and her kids learned American Sign Language (ASL).

“His loss of hearing was an adjustment at first for my younger children,” Brittany said. “But once they picked up on ASL and hand gestures, everyone adapted great.”

Ghost’s favorite place for napping is on one of the children’s beds under the blankets with his toys. He has had no accidents in the house and is a big mama’s boy. He loves mealtime and waits patiently while his food is prepared.

“Ghost is always getting extra cuddles from the children, and he’s become part of the family,” Brittany said. “We couldn’t be happier and hope to adopt from the shelter again in the future.”

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

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2024, abandoned animals, animal abuse

Calling all humans! Volunteers needed!

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Whitney, the Magnificent
24
Feb

Every dog has a story, and for most of my pals here at the Aiken County Animal Shelter, those stories are sad. Take me—Whitney. My last humans dumped me. I thought we were going for a ride (I’m a sucker for car rides), but then they stopped and opened the door. I thought, “Oh boy, a car ride and a romp in the woods!” I jumped out and to my surprise, they drove off! Without me! I thought it had to be a mistake, that they’d come back, but no-go. I wandered around for such a long time—lost, lonely, and weak with terrible hunger. By the time the animal control guy in the uniform and the white van stopped and waived some food in my direction, I forgot all about my distrust of strangers in uniforms.

Then there’s Scotty. Now here’s the thing about Scotty, he had a home—for, like, forever.

Scotty, the happy dog
Scotty, the happy dog

He loved his humans. Then one day, they dropped him off here at the shelter like he was going to the vet or something and just walked out. No ‘atta boys. No goodbyes. No nothing. Scotty was such a terrible scared, stressed-out mess, we all feared for him.

Here’s the point. The how’s and why’s of how we all got here are different, but our stories are all the same: Humans let us down. Big time. We were abandoned and dumped like so much garbage, and we never saw it coming.

So, imagine our surprise to discover the humans here at the shelter are first rate, top notch, the best—especially the volunteers! I never even met a volunteer before I came to this place—and take it from me, you need to get one. They show up every morning and take us for walks or just sit out in the yard and talk to us—not in a mean way like we’re used to—but in a soft, sweet way. They bring us treats and throw balls. It’s the best thing ever! Who knew humans were capable of such world-class belly rubs? Go figure!

But here’s the thing: there aren’t enough of them—volunteers, I mean. It takes a long time in the morning to walk all us dogs, so if we’re lucky, we only get maybe 15 minutes of me-time. That might not seem like a lot to you, but for us dogs? It’s everything.

Plus, there’s no one to walk us in the afternoon. Do you know how hard it is, if you’re a gal me like me who would never mess in her kennel, to only get one chance a day? It’s a misery.

So, please! All you humans reading this, I’m begging you: join FOTAS. Be a volunteer! You’ll have a great time with all the other volunteers, and we dogs will show you a good time, too. Like Scotty, who’s now a superstar thanks to the volunteers. He excels in playgroup, walks on a leash, and sits on command. He’s a happy guy. And when you stop by the shelter, look me up—Whitney. They say I’m magnificent! Not sure what that means, but it sure sounds good!

So please, spread the word: we’re all ready to be adopted and be someone’s new BFF.

Our lives are in your hands.
Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice-President

2024, animal care education

FOTAS Educational Program off to a fast start in 2024

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Belvedere Elementary students enjoy the company of adoptable dog Whitney.
15
Feb

Our calendar is bursting with school visits, and we could not be happier!
We started this year with the cutest group of preschoolers from First Baptist Church in Aiken.

First Baptist Church preschoolers deliver donations to the County Shelter.
First Baptist Church preschoolers deliver donations to the County Shelter.

These kiddos and their teachers are so kind, and their families have donated much needed items from our Wish List.

We visited their preschool with some puppies in January to kick off their donation drive. Volunteer Kathy Samaha and I visited each classroom, and the puppies loved every second! The school’s young readers then came to the shelter two weeks later to deliver donations, read to the dogs and spend some time learning about the pets. So fun!

Belvedere Elementary students enjoy the company of adoptable dog Whitney.
Belvedere Elementary students enjoy the company of adoptable dog Whitney.

FOTAS also had an invitation from Belvedere Elementary. I was so happy to take adoptable dog Whitney to visit their students to kick off their donation drive! The kids are working hard to support the shelter. They were so well behaved, so attentive and I was so impressed by their school. Whitney had the best time. She walked around and let every student give her some attention. She would even stop and sit on certain students’ feet!

The Kiwanis Kids group and Builders Clubs also visited the Aiken County Animal Shelter to learn more about what the shelter does and how we want to be a resource for our community, not a destination for unwanted pets. During their tour of the shelter, the young people learned about our high intake, saw how we take care of the animals and met the amazing homeless pets.

The Spanish Honors Club from South Aiken High School visited bringing treats and towels, socialized our puppies.
The Spanish Honors Club from South Aiken High School visited bringing treats and towels, socialized our puppies.

The Spanish Honors Club from South Aiken High School visited as well, bringing treats and towels and spending time socializing our puppies. Next week, we have University of South Carolina Aiken students coming for volunteer training and we have upcoming visits scheduled to New Ellenton Middle School, Trinity Preschool and Tall Pines Stem Academy.

FOTAS volunteers and the leaders of Aiken County are so excited to see educators draw attention to the Aiken County Animal Shelter and our specific needs. Education is the key to lower intake, pet responsibility, and helping the homeless and neglected pets in our community.

If you are an educator in Aiken County and you want to join our humane education program, please contact info@fotasaiken.org.

Their lives are in our hands.
By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

2024, Adoption, SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media angel saves pets by telling their amazing stories

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Martha Anne Tudor is a wordsmith with a strong Facebook following whose posts of pets in need usually result in adoptions.
20
Jan

Martha Anne Tudor’s name is mentioned at the Aiken County Animal Shelter each and every day by adopters and volunteers (her fan club).

A gifted writer and true professional, Martha Anne donates her time and talents to us whenever she can. Thanks to her effective social media posts and vast network of Facebook followers, she helps us save countless Aiken County Animal Shelter animals in need each year.

“If it’s true that your calling is where your deep gladness and the world’s deep need meet, then this is mine,” she said.

Martha Anne has a strong Facebook presence. Her page has a following that ranges over continents. She is respected and followed by a network of followers that includes medical professionals, news anchors, writers, rescues, animal advocates and thousands of animal lovers who share her posts. FOTAS checks in with her daily and we ask her to help with specific shelter animals that urgently need homes.

“My specialties are the ‘unadoptables’ — the old, blind, deaf, and amputated with the odds stacked against them,” she said. “But these posts upend those odds, and nearly every longshot I post gets a home. It’s the details of their stories that open hearts and homes.”

When we give Martha Anne homeless pets to promote, she asks me and the staff questions regarding their personality, their health, their ideal home, etc. — and then she eloquently tells their story in Facebook posts. These posts can sometimes receive hundreds upon hundreds of shares.

It is not unusual to get calls and emails from states all over the country from people who want to know more about these pets. Whether they remind them of their own or connect with the picture or the story, her posts usually get a big response.

“Without the soul-stirring photos taken by volunteers and staffers, my posts would never get read,” she said. “But what makes my words leap off the page are the poignant details of each animal’s story. Maybe a starving mama dog was found protecting her puppies in traffic during a storm; or a 10-year-old family pet is shaking and vomiting in his kennel from being disowned; or a kitten with a mangled leg is heard crying by her dead mother.”

Martha Anne’s friendship with FOTAS began in 2016, when she inquired about a County Shelter dog she wished to help: Wink, a one eyed, heartworm positive pooch. Her Facebook post reached a woman in Nantucket who flew to Aiken just to adopt Wink! This successful adoption started a cherished and successful partnership with Martha Anne that has saved many canine and feline lives.

Martha Anne works fulltime and is a devoted mother to two young women, also world changers. She answers Facebook messages day and night from people all over the world in regard to the County Shelter’s pets in need.

“In decades of rescue work, I’ve never known a team that compares to FOTAS,” she said. “There’s no time for conflict or arguments. Everyone focuses on common goals, with respect and regard for each other. The incredible results are testimonials to the teamwork, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”

Their lives are in our hands.

By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator