Category Archives: abandoned animals

2022, abandoned animals, Cats, Foster

Beautiful, abandoned cats need loving homes

Posted on by Bob Gordon
23
Feb
Simone’s owner moved but left her behind to fend for herself.

The Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) has two gorgeous cats in its feline facility who desperately need loving homes. Both are overcoming the emotional pain of suddenly finding themselves abandoned and alone.

Simone, a stunning, five-year-old Siamese mix with a coat of multiple colors, was brought to the shelter because her owners moved and left her behind to fend for herself. When neighbors saw Simone was abandoned, they fed her for weeks before surrendering her to the shelter. When she arrived, Simone was an unhappy and confused kitty.

Gwen, on the other hand, was heartbroken for a different reason. Her owner’s health declined sharply, forcing her to enter an assisted living facility – a place where Gwen was not welcome. The one-year-old Tiger Tabby went from the warm lap of her owner to a steel kennel in a noisy shelter filled with other scared, homeless pets. When Gwen arrived, she was vocal about her displeasure with being separated from the only human she’d ever known and loved.

Gwen is at the shelter because her owner had to go into assisted living.

Due to their emotional trauma, both Simone and Gwen acted out when they first got to the shelter by trying to bite or scratch people who showed them affection. Simone mostly slapped at folks’ hands when she got nervous or felt overstimulated. Gwen, who wasn’t used to meeting so many new people, seemed to want to be petted but didn’t know how to respond. Sometimes she would get scared and bite to relieve her anxiety.

“Cats are creatures of habit,” said ACAS Adoption Coordinator Hillary Clark-Kulis. “They like their usual routines and sometimes when they have to come to the shelter, their worst traits can come out.”

Simone and Gwen, now living together in the cat facility, are doing much better. Staff and FOTAS volunteers have worked with them every day, helping them to adjust to their new environment and preparing them for their future homes. They will make wonderful feline companions for people who know and love cats.
Simone just needs a home of her own, where she can get a lot of attention and love, and Gwen needs an owner who will help her to trust new people.

“I think living with one person her entire life, Gwen is used to only one way of being treated or given affection,” Hillary said. “She is learning how to reciprocate kindness and attention from different people. She loves to be talked to and would do well in a home with other cats.”

If you would like to adopt Simone or Gwen, please call the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 803.642.1537 (option #3) or email info@fotasaiken.org and make an appointment to visit them. Or just stop by the shelter. Walk-ins are welcome! Cat adoption fees this month are just $10. The ACAS is located at 333 Wire Road, Aiken, 29801. The shelter is full & needs adopters & fosters.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2021, abandoned animals, Dogs, FOTAS, neglected pets, News

Hounds of Love at the County Animal Shelter

Posted on by Bob Gordon
02
Jul

Skin and bones. Found starving and scared with pressure sores on their bodies from lying on concrete for long hours at a time. Clearly neglected and possibly abused, the pair of dogs playing in the intake exercise yard would be forgiven if they were bitter and angry. But they show nothing but love. Despite their difficult journey and the pain that came with it, the alarmingly thin red hound and her tri-colored canine pal are sweet and affectionate to every person they encounter.

Hound mix Aiden was adopted, but more hounds need forever homes.

“The hounds cling to us for hugs and attention,” said FOTAS Programs Coordinator Kathy Jacobs. “We provided them with donated toys and big, comfortable dog beds for their bony bodies.”

These two female hounds recently arrived the shelter and are in stray hold for five days. The red dog has lacerations on her snout that had to be stitched up and both dogs’ ribs prominently show through their skin and fur.

“We don’t know their story,” Jacobs explained. “We can only speculate. Maybe they were potential hunting dogs and were abandoned or ran away. We just know they are safe now, getting well, and are so happy to be here.”

So happy, in fact, the red hound could not stop wagging her tail and within hours of getting to the shelter, made her kennel a bloody mess. She thumped her tail against the concrete walls of her kennel so many times, the blunt force trauma split the tip of it wide open. Her tail is wrapped now, and she’s fine. This “happy tail syndrome” in shelters is common with many breeds, including hounds. It is reflective of their personality: bright, energetic and super friendly.
These young females in intake are just two of the many hounds the shelter receives on a pretty consistent basis. Currently on the adoption floor is Aiden, a senior hound so affectionate, he puts his paw out to greet people and sometimes wraps his right front leg around your knee as you pet him. He has been waiting many weeks to find a good home.

These two female hounds were saved by county animal code enforcement officers and brought to the shelter. Since the hounds are strays, the staff does not know their history. But they were so skinny, it is likely they were strays for a long time or neglected by their owners.

So, please help our hounds at the shelter. Consider adopting one for your family. Hounds are known to be gentle, loyal and enjoy being around people. They rarely need grooming, come in all sizes, are smart and are usually great with kids.
To make an appointment to adopt Aiden, another hound or any other homeless pet at the county animal shelter, please call, 803.642.1537 (option #3) or email info@fotasaiken.org.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2021, abandoned animals, Dogs, FOTAS, News, senior pets, surrendered pets

Sweet Savannah Wants To Be Your One and Only Pet

Posted on by Bob Gordon
28
Apr

Have you ever known someone who is funny, clever and exceptional around their friends but turns into a stammering, nervous individual when meeting new people? They become a shell of their true personality and shut down in front of strangers?

Savannah

Well, that can be true of dogs, too.

Savannah, a stunning, smart dog at the Aiken County Animal Shelter, is fun, playful and affectionate with people she knows. But when she first meets people, she becomes fearful and unsure of herself. She gets nervous, paces back and forth and sometimes hides behind the staff member introducing her to potential adopters.
It’s so frustrating. Savannah has all the goods but doesn’t do well in her interviews. We think this is the main reason she’s been waiting for a home longer than any other dog on the adoption floor.

Poor Savannah arrived at the shelter because her owners surrendered her when they moved. She was shell-shocked to find herself in a kennel among so many other dogs. She is also 10 years old and doesn’t like to share her home with other pets.

But if you want just one great pet in your life to be your loyal companion, Savannah is the perfect dog for you. She walks wonderfully on a leash. She’s athletic, goofy — and cuddly once she knows she can trust you. When she feels safe with you, Savannah gives you all of her love.

But don’t take my word for it. Here are some testimonials from FOTAS volunteers:

“Savannah is a beauty inside and out,” says Jody Clark. “She is very loving and will richly reward her forever family with endless devotion and affection. We volunteers will so happy when Savannah is chosen by her lucky someone!”
“I walk Savannah every morning,” says Jackie Edel. “As soon as she sees me, her tail starts wagging. Right after she relieves herself, she is delighted to play and be petted.”

“Savannah is a gem,” exclaims Jennifer Jotblad. “Do not let her age fool you. She is a fun and energetic lady. She loves to be brushed, will flop over anytime for a good belly scratch, and chases tennis balls with gusto. She is super sweet and once she knows you, her true, fun-loving personality shines.”

Savannah gives Nicole Simons a kiss.

So, if you don’t have any pets but are looking for one dog to be your best buddy, come see Savannah. Take her on a Doggie Day Out or even have her sleep over. Once you spend some time with this special girl, it won’t be long before you see her true personality and fall in love with her.

To meet Savannah, please call the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 803.642.1537 (option # 5) or email info@fotasaiken.org.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2021, abandoned animals, Bully Dogs, Dogs, Foster, fostering, FOTAS, kennel stress, News

More Fosters Needed as County Animal Shelter Fills Up

Posted on by Bob Gordon
22
Mar

The need for foster homes is great. The Aiken County Animal Shelter is filling up as it does every spring. This causes us to run short on room but also increases the stress level in the kennels.

I have been fostering dogs and puppies for six years and absolutely love it! My dogs are more socialized because they have met and played with so many others. My son is more compassionate because he has met some of the greatest dogs that others abandoned.

I love how the Wagner family says it: “You get a new dog every week!! Free! How could you beat that?”

Breanne Maraman has been fostering dogs with us for years now and shared her view on our foster program:

Marlow plays with other pets in his foster home.

“I love being able to foster dogs through the FOTAS program. Getting them out of the shelter, if even for just a few days, is such an asset to their adoption journey. Once in a more relaxed environment out of the shelter you really get to see each dog’s personality blossom. This really helps us prepare their potential adoption family to what they’ll be like once in a new home.

“The FOTAS program is great because there are so many fostering options. You can choose short- or long-term placements based on your availability, work schedule, prior commitments, etc. There is never any pressure for me to take a foster if it’s not the right time for me personally. The staff also knows each of their foster families personally, what their homes are like, and what dogs will work best for them. It’s such a well-tailored and executed program that’s able to help countless animals find their forever homes.”

Not all of us foster dogs the same way. Some of our foster families have farms and use open stalls to house dogs as well as mother dogs and puppies. Their foster pups sleep in a stall and get regular walks/exercise throughout the day. The dogs are so grateful to be out of a kennel and in a safe place.

There is no expense to you. FOTAS will send food, toys and a crate, if needed. Anything you need we will provide. We just ask that you pick up a great dog, give them a safe place and some kindness. You will not regret it.

Marlow was fostered by Breanne Maraman.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

2021, abandoned animals, ANIMAL CRUELTY, Cats, FOTAS, neglected pets, News, senior pets

Abandoned Senior Cat Snowball Deserves So Much Better

Posted on by Bob Gordon
03
Feb

She was devastated when they didn’t return home. Beautiful, 7-year-old house cat Snowball was abandoned and left outside to fend for herself when her owners moved away.

For six months, this senior white cat was on her own, braving the elements and foraging for food. Luckily, a kind neighbor eventually noticed her wandering outside and fed the hungry feline. But the neighbor was allergic to cats and couldn’t keep her; so when the temperatures started dropping in mid-November, they brought Snowball to the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

Snowball was saved by a neighbor of the owners who abandoned her.

When Snowball first arrived, she was scared and did not want any attention. She was clearly confused, upset and not ready to trust again. We put her in a cat condo located in the front lobby, where she remained quiet and glued to her bed. Staff and volunteers periodically visited her and pet her. She allowed people to stroke her fur briefly but then, in a moment of uncertainty, she gently swatted their hand away. It was heartbreaking to see her so sad and distressed.

We moved Snowball to our cat facility – a building that features two big rooms, where cats can run around, play and perch on tall cat trees. When temperatures are milder, the facility also allows the cats to relax in an enclosed, outdoor “catio”. The combination of Snowball enjoying more living space and receiving consistent human affection broke her out of her despair. She now loves it when people visit her and purrs happily when petted. She’s ready to find her forever home.

So, if you are looking for a wonderful kitty to keep you company, make an appointment to visit Snowball. Despite having so much love to give, senior cats like her are often the last to get adopted. However, they make great pets because they understand what it means to be rescued and are most thankful for a second chance at a good life. Senior cats also are already litter box trained and less likely to misbehave. They love to relax as much as you do and make great couch companions! Snowball is happiest when she is napping with you or perched by the window, watching what’s going on outside.

Snowball is a senior housecat who became depressed when she was brought to the shelter. But once she got her bearings, she began to trust again and once again became a loving, affectionate feline.

If you would like to adopt Snowball for only $10, please make an appointment to see her by calling the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 803.642.1537 and choose option #5. Or send a short email to info@FOTASAiken.org.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director