Category Archives: 2025

2025, Adoption

Whitney’s forever home is worth the long wait

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Whitney spends a lot of time with her new brother, Kade.
22
Mar

Whitney was the Aiken County Animal Shelter’s longest resident and running out of time. The pretty, four-year-old, 50-pound Retriever mix with a gorgeous brindle coat was abandoned in an empty house by her previous owners and was now on her fifth month of hoping to be selected by prospective adopters.

Whitney was a favorite of FOTAS volunteers because she was affectionate and walked wonderfully on a leash. The gentle dog was wonderful with children, and people of all ages. She was housebroken, had beautiful manners and was incredibly affectionate. But she had one big strike against her. She needed to be an only pet.

Whitney explores the goodies at Wags! in Hendersonville, NC.
Whitney explores the goodies at Wags! in Hendersonville, NC.

Being the longest resident at the shelter is never a good position to be in and Whitney needed a small miracle. She found one with the Bowdoin family.

Kyle and Nikki Bowdoin saw Whitney on Facebook and traveled with their young son, Kade, from Greenville, SC to visit her at the shelter. They spent a lot of time with her before making the decision to take her home. They didn’t have any pets or a lot of dogs around their property, so they were ideal candidates.

Whitney quickly bonded with the family, especially Kade. She trusted him immediately.

“Whitney is a sweetie pie and loves to cuddle,” Nikki said. “She loves to play with her stuffed animals and acts like a puppy with them! She loves us very much, and she is the happiest when we are all together. Kade is her favorite, of course!”

Whitney went home with the Bowdoins three months ago and has been a wonderful pet. Nikki says she loves car rides, playing tug, and long walks on the lake. She absolutely loved playing in the snow. Whitney recently went on her first family trip and had a fantastic time.

2025, animal care education, Spay/Neuter

When it comes to pet care, our community could do better

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Little pup Dawby was found limping on the side of the road.
14
Mar
This unwanted litter of puppies was abandoned.
This unwanted litter of puppies was abandoned.

The Aiken County Animal Shelter is feeling the frustration of staggering intake numbers. During the first two months of 2025, the shelter received 843 dogs and cats.

Of those animals, 173 were owner surrendered for many reasons – unwanted litters, moving, too many animals in the home, etc. Some were even court ordered neglect and cruelty cases. There are too many amazing pets currently at the shelter through no fault of their own, and we desperately need homes for them.

I know, I know…we are always asking, but we cannot continue to save lives without our community’s help.

If you have an unaltered pet, keep them home. We understand that many people lost fences during the hurricane and that there are dogs roaming loose, but it is the owner’s responsibility to contain their pets. More than 230 puppies have been received at the shelter this year, which is a scary number.

Loose pets are getting injured and maimed
We are taking in too many injured pets due to improper care and neglect. Barely three months old, Little Dawby was found injured by someone passing by on the road. He is now healing in foster care. 

Poor Fred came to us after being attacked by other dogs. Luckily, he wandered into the right yard where someone reached out to Animal Code Enforcement for help. Fred is now healed, healthy and available for adoption.

Percival was also picked up from a local mobile home park where there were many stray dogs roaming. Poor Percy was severely injured and in need of urgent care. This sweet, quiet, loving dog is now healing at the shelter.

Bling, Cruise, Latte and Kenzi are all puppies that were dumped together, clearly an unwanted litter that needed saving. They are truly sweet, loving, wonderful puppies that are now available for adoption.

Two-year-old Tunder was found tied to a power pole. I mean, really?!  He is the cutest little guy full of love and wiggles, yet someone just abandoned him!

All I am saying is that we can do better….

The Junior FOTAS Club from Tall Pines STEM Academy is learning about proper pet care.
The Junior FOTAS Club from Tall Pines STEM Academy is learning about proper pet care.

Teaching children to respect animals
We recently had our Junior FOTAS Club from Tall Pines STEM Academy come for a tour. They met many pets, and they were like sponges! They didn’t understand why we had such nice dogs and cats that were abandoned or part of neglect and cruelty cases.

By educating our young people, we hope to change our community’s way of thinking. Pets are not disposable. Pets are family. Care for your pets like family, provide their basic needs of food, clean water, shelter and LOVE.

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

2025, Adoption, kennel stress

Rule of threes helps adopters prepare for new pet

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Some dogs, like 2-year-old Dutchess, are scared in a shelter environment, but will become more social once they find a loving home. But new owners must be patient and give their new pets time to adjust to their new surroundings.
21
Feb

The “rule of threes” for adopted animals, often called the “3-3-3 rule,” advocates that it takes a new pet three days to decompress and feel relaxed in their new environment; three weeks to start learning your daily routine, and three months to feel completely settled in and part of your family.
Many adopters aren’t sure what to expect when they add a new pet, and it certainly varies based on the animal’s personality background and age. However, the rule of threes effectively provides a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption.

Three days to decompress
Adopters need to take it slow when they bring their adopted pet home for the first time. While some pets immediately feel relaxed and at home, most of the time pets need time to adjust and get their bearings. Once dogs are away from the shelter, they often crash and fall asleep when they first arrive at their new home. They finally are in a quiet setting and feel like they can relax. They may not eat much and hide under the furniture or in their crate. Be patient. It takes some dogs a little time to feel secure in a new home.

During these first few days, your adopted pet is a flight risk, so you have to make sure they don’t escape through an open door or bolt out of your yard because you left them unattended. However, it is also important to give them space, be supportive and stay positive. You don’t want to force them to interact with you and your family members. Instead, calmly show them where they will be eating and sleeping; feed them twice a day and take them out every couple of hours until you know their signal for wanting to go out and potty.

Adopting a shelter dog like 3-year-old Sparrow is a rewarding experience that can be enhanced by following the 3-3-3 rule.
Adopting a shelter dog like 3-year-old Sparrow is a rewarding experience that can be enhanced by following the 3-3-3 rule.

Three weeks to learn the routine
At this point, your adopted pet is settling in and getting used to your routine. They’ve caught up on their sleep and are feeling more confident. Their personality is starting to bloom. With added confidence, some dogs may begin to test boundaries, so you’ll want to give your pet clear directions and reward good behavior. Remember, consistency and patience are crucial during this period. It’s a learning process for both of you, and it takes time to get to know each other.

Three months to feel at home
Now your dog is fully settled into their new home and feels like part of the family. They understand and follow your routines. They’ve developed a deep bond with you and are comfortable being themselves. No longer do they wonder if this is just a temporary place to stay. They know they are truly home.

If you are looking to adopt a pet, call the Aiken County Animal Shelter, (803) 642-1537, ext. 3765, or email info@fotasaiken.org and make an appointment with an adoption expert. They will give you personalized customer service and have pets ready to show when you arrive. Walk-ins are also welcome. We’re open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and located at 333 Wire Rd., Aiken, SC.

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

2025, abandoned animals, Adoption, Foster, kennel stress

Welcoming 2025

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
In the first 12 days of 2025, the Aiken County Shelter has received 150 unwanted dogs and cats.
20
Jan
Bindi, found alone and freezing in our donation bin.
Bindi, found alone and freezing in our donation bin.

Well, we were hoping to turn over a new leaf, to have a fresh start to 2025 but in the past twelve days we received 150 dogs and cats, 60 of those being puppies, five of those being puppies that require bottle feeding, five so scared we can’t touch them.

One puppy was found in our donation bin. Poor Bindi, now in foster, was left on one of the coldest nights in a donation bin without warmth or protection.

We are encountering new challenges and doing our best to adapt.

Every kennel is full and we are getting more and more emails from people needing help.

How do we help?
For those who are financially struggling and needing help to feed their pets, we hold a monthly Community Pet Food Drive Thru. The need is greater than ever and we make sure each vehicle, household, gets a bag of dog or cat food that FOTAS purchases. This program allows people to keep their pets and not surrender due to financial difficulties.

Home to Home. Our Home to Home program gives people options for rehoming their pets – dogs, cats, guinea pigs, birds, etc., – free of charge. Pet owners can upload pictures of their pets with details on personality and why they can no longer keep them. We in turn post these pets on our Facebook page and website. This helps pets by keeping them out of the shelter and finding new homes.

Aiken County offers residents spay and neuter vouchers. If you qualify (based on income) you can apply for a spay and neuter voucher at the Aiken County Government Center. This voucher assists with the cost of spay and neuter surgeries at local veterinary establishments on the voucher list of which the County needs more. As a community we have to cut down on the unwanted litters of puppies and kittens.

The point is, we are full! We cannot possibly find homes for all these pets without the help of our community.

Spay and Neuter your pets!
Adopt – You do not need to go to a breeder, there are far too many wonderful pets that need you!
Foster – Give a dog, puppy, cat or kitten a safe place to thrive until we can find them a home.

Their lives are in our hands.

by Kathy Cagle FOTAS Programs Coordinator