We recently wrapped up the Petco Love Pick Me SC 2026 Adoption Event, and what an incredible success it was! Shelters across South Carolina joined forces to help find homes for the many dogs and cats waiting for families, and our community showed up in a big way.

One question we often hear is why waived adoption fees make such a difference when our regular fees are already so low—just $10 for cats and $35 for dogs. The truth is, our goal has never been to make money on adoptions. Every pet adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and has received flea and tick prevention. We simply want to remove as many barriers as possible to help loving families connect with deserving pets.

Even as we celebrate the happy endings from Pick Me SC, new animals continue to arrive at the shelter every day. Many come to us because families are facing economic hardships, housing challenges, the loss of a loved one, or because they were found wandering alone.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who adopted during this special event. You changed lives. But let’s not allow that momentum to stop here. The dogs and cats at the Aiken County Animal Shelter need families every day of the year.

And summer may just be the perfect time to adopt. The longer days make evening walks more enjoyable, children are home from school and can help welcome a new pet, and families often have more time to devote to training and bonding.

If you’ve been thinking about adding a furry family member, there’s no need to wait for the next big event. Your new best friend may be waiting at the shelter right now.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

At the Aiken County Animal Shelter, summer is also one of our busiest seasons. In the past two weeks alone, more than 200 dogs and cats have entered our shelter.

Dogs don’t care if you’ve had a bad day at work. They don’t care if you’re having a bad hair day, gained a few pounds, or forgot to take out the trash. They are simply thrilled that you walked through the door.

While we work hard to find homes for homeless pets, summer is also a good reminder of the joy that pets bring to our lives.

Cats may act a little more independent, but many of them are quietly waiting to greet you and cuddle on the couch.

Life changes. Families grow. Jobs become demanding. Finances get tight. Through all of those changes, our pets remain remarkably loyal.

At the shelter, we often meet pets who have spent years loving one family. They know the routines, the voices, and the smells of home. Watching them adjust to shelter life reminds us how deeply pets bond with the people they love.

That’s why we encourage families facing challenges to explore every possible option before giving up a pet. Sometimes a temporary hardship can be solved with a little creativity, patience, or help from family or friends.

Your pet is family, they deserve your commitment.

The wagging tail at the end of a long day. The dog that never misses a chance to make you laugh. The cat that somehow knows exactly when you need comfort. These moments may seem small, but they often become some of our favorite memories.

Pets don’t ask for much. A meal, a safe place to sleep, and the chance to spend time with the people they love.

In return, they give us unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship that can last for years.

As summer continues and life gets busy, take an extra moment to appreciate the furry family members sharing your home. They may not stay with us forever, but they make our lives better every single day they are here.

If you don’t have a furry friend, we will help find you the best! 

Their Lives Are In Our Hands.

by Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

So why not a classic black pet?

Unfortunately, black dogs and cats are often overlooked in shelters. It’s not personal—they just don’t catch people’s attention as quickly as lighter-colored pets. Yet anyone who has ever owned a black pet knows just how special they are.

Black dog owners love showing off their pets with colorful collars, bright bandanas, and fun accessories that make their gorgeous coats stand out even more. And let’s be honest—many owners appreciate that black fur doesn’t show up on dark clothing nearly as much! There are plenty of perks to sharing your home with a black dog.

Right now, the Aiken County Animal Shelter has several beautiful black dogs waiting for families of their own.

Take Molly, for example. This sweet girl was recently surrendered when her family was expanding and felt they no longer had time to care for her. At six years old, losing her home was heartbreaking. Thankfully, with the love and attention of FOTAS volunteers, Molly is once again enjoying life, playing, and giving kisses. One of the many benefits of adopting a mature dog is that the hard work is often already done. Molly is house trained, knows commands, and doesn’t jump on furniture. She is ready to move right into her next home.

Then there is Draco, the shiniest little black puppy you’ll ever meet. This handsome pup is playful, affectionate, and loves other dogs. He recently spent a weekend with Adoption Counselor Lisa, who worked on crate training and introduced him to cats, car rides, new environments, and plenty of positive experiences. Draco is a wonderful puppy who is more than ready to become part of a family.

And who could forget Bowser? This classic black beauty enjoys long walks, playing with other dogs, and listening while children read to him. He is house trained, knows commands, and clearly had someone teach him a few things before he arrived at the shelter as a stray. Bowser has so much love to give and is simply waiting for someone to notice him.

Any owner of a black pet will tell you there is something special about their classic beauty. Like the little black dress, black pets never go out of style. They are timeless, loyal, and make a wonderful addition to any home.

Their Lives Are In Our Hands.

by Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

The staff is ready. Our volunteers have worked all morning to make sure all the dogs are walked and clean. It’s game day.

But this past Saturday was different.
We didn’t have a single adoption.

It’s been a long time since that has happened — and it’s heartbreaking.

In just the first two weeks of April, the shelter took in 256 dogs and cats. That’s a lot of pets needing homes. When no one comes on our busiest day, it hurts.

We have amazing animals waiting — house-trained dogs, loving cats, playful puppies. They’re ready. They just need someone to choose them.

We need our community.

Please share our posts, volunteer, donate to support our lifesaving programs — and most importantly, if you can, adopt.

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

Dogs and cats arrive at the shelter every day. They cannot tell us their stories—their fears, or what makes them happy. Sometimes that may be a blessing, because we don’t have to know everything they have been through.

Gus was a dog who touched everyone at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. He was very scared when he first arrived. Gus had been surrendered by his owner due to animal control issues related to dogs not being properly contained. Gus had no idea what he had done wrong, and he was clearly devastated.

Once staff and volunteers began working with him, they quickly fell in love. This big boy turned out to be a marshmallow! Gus learned to trust people and began showing off his sweet personality. He would happily sit and give his paw, lounge in office chairs just to be close to staff, and he was walked by volunteers more than any other dog in the shelter.

Volunteer Susan said, “I love walking Gus! He is so happy to be out and about, and then he loves to sit on the couch for some snuggles.”

Gus had one big strike against him—he was a large brindle male dog. Sadly, those are some of the hardest dogs to find homes for. That seems ridiculous to those of us who know and love big brindle boys, because they are often the most lovable dogs around.

We wanted desperately to help him, so we shared videos of Gus wearing sweaters, giving kisses, and showing just how wonderful he really was. Still, he waited a long time for the right people to come along.

And thankfully, they did.

The update from his new family brings us pure joy:

“Gus is a diamond in the rough. I’m so glad we adopted him.”

Gus now lives in a home with both dogs and cats. He is getting the love, patience, and training he deserves. His new owners say he showed signs of past abuse and neglect, but today he is living his very best life.

Thank you to Gus’s new family—and to everyone willing to take a chance on the underdog. Those are the dogs who often teach us the most about love, patience, and the power of giving a second chance.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

For some reason chocolate isn’t quite as special as it used to be. I guess with age comes the ability to buy sweet treats whenever we want them. But what if you could get an even better chocolate treat? Like a chocolate doggy?

Right now we have three gorgeous chocolate dogs at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Each one has lovely manners, and each is sweeter than any chocolate bunny you could find in a basket.

Take Bodhi, for example. This sweet boy is incredibly friendly and clearly wants to be your best friend. He sits and gazes up at you, hoping for a cuddle or a kiss. Bodhi has been wonderful with the children who visit the shelter, he’s house trained, and he truly is just as sweet as can be.

Then there is Bruno, who is absolutely dreamy. He is quiet, gentle, and happiest sitting beside you on the sofa for a nap. Bruno clearly was once someone’s beloved pet, even though he arrived at the shelter as a stray. He is house trained and already knows commands like “sit” and “down.” Our volunteers adore this handsome “bunny.”

And finally there is Captain, the oldest of all the chocolate bunnies. Caspian is another well-mannered dog with excellent cuddling skills. He is clean, knows commands, and loves spending time with people. Captain is nine years old and grateful for love and rope toys, they are his favorite! See a trend here? These dogs are good dogs—wonderful, loving pets who are simply waiting for a home.

So maybe this year, instead of only indulging in chocolate and jelly beans, consider adopting a chocolate “bunny” of your own. One that will fill your heart for years, not just your belly for an hour.

Their Lives Are In Our Hands.

By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

We often hear people say they stopped by the Aiken County Animal Shelter but didn’t see a good selection of pets available for adoption. That simply isn’t true.

This week alone we have a small Cattle Dog, a silver Labrador, a fluffy Golden Shepherd mix, a silver short-haired puppy, and even a gorgeous Shepherd/Hound with a Canine Good Citizen certification.

And the cats? Every color you can imagine — calico, tabby, and my personal favorite, black cats.

Yes, we definitely have variety!

But when choosing a dog, it’s not really about breed — it’s about personality. What dog matches you?

Are you a runner? We can find you a dog that will run beautifully right beside you.

Prefer to relax after work and skip the evening exercise? We have dogs for that too!

Are you older and looking for a calm companion? Let’s find you a dog that fits your lifestyle — probably not a puppy that needs constant bending, cleaning, and supervision.

Sometimes people simply choose the wrong dog for their lifestyle. No judgment — I’ve made that mistake myself! The difference is learning how to meet the dog’s needs once you bring them home.

The good news is that the Adoption Team at the Aiken County Animal Shelter truly knows their dogs. They run dog playgroups every day and understand which dogs get along with others, who has high energy, and who prefers the quiet life.

They know which dogs do well with children, which ones happily ride in the car for road trips, and which ones will stretch out on the couch beside you for hours.

Adoption Coordinator Cynthia Gray started with us as a volunteer. The shelter quickly hired her as an intake dog walker, and she worked her way up to become the adoption team’s “top dog.” Cynthia is kind, compassionate, and incredibly smart when it comes to matching people with the right pet. Helping families find the perfect dog means the world to her.

Fellow adoption counselors Bob Gordon and Lisa Gaudet are special people indeed.

Bob has been with the Aiken County Animal Shelter for over a decade and has earned a reputation for kindness and dedication. Lisa came to the shelter with an animal control background and has one of the most gentle, patient personalities you will ever meet. She even takes dogs home for overnights so she can better understand their personalities.

The entire shelter staff is terrific, but today we wanted to highlight the three people you will likely meet when you come in looking for your next family member.

Whether it’s a tiny tabby kitten, a senior Labrador, or a magnificent mutt, these adoption counselors will help you find the perfect match.

Because at the end of the day, their lives are in our hands — and together we can give them the homes they deserve.

By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

Stormy recovered while being fostered by Jeri Wesner and Joe Ryan — foster extraordinaires.

These two are simply kind people. Kind to animals, kind to people. They take care of everyone and always have a hug to share. If you know them, you love them.

Stormy was eventually adopted by Jeri and Joe, joining their dog Jack, who was also adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter. As a side note, Jeri was one of our very first volunteers, and her dedication to walking shelter dogs and fostering is unmatched. When dog walking became difficult with her schedule, the couple simply dedicated their home to fostering instead. I don’t think they’ve had a break in years!

They often say things like, “Lucky us again!”

When their dog Jack passed away, Stormy needed a job. That job became fostering — and she never disappoints.

Stormy plays with the foster puppies, shares her toys, and acts as a gentle teacher. She helps them learn how to be good pets, shows them what behaviors are appropriate, and can make even the most frightened puppy feel safe and comforted.

The most beautiful part of this story is that Stormy herself was once a discarded puppy, left injured and alone. Now she helps the discarded.

FOTAS and the Aiken County Animal Shelter are incredibly fortunate to have many dedicated foster families. Sometimes we forget to acknowledge the helpers behind the scenes — like Stormy.

Every time Jeri and Joe bring back their foster puppies (usually one or two), they ask the same question: Who can we take home next?

That is serious dedication. Anyone who has fostered puppies knows it is incredibly rewarding, but it also involves a lot of cleanup and hard work. Jeri and Joe never complain. They simply ask how they can keep helping.

“Thanks for letting us foster these fabulous animals. Our lives are blessed beyond the moon!” – Jeri and Joe

The Aiken County Animal Shelter continues to receive countless puppies and kittens, we urge Aiken County residents to consider fostering. Email us at info@fotasaiken.org if you are interested.

Their Lives Are In Our Hands.
By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

“Bella is doing SO WELL!!! She is amazing with our 3 young children and 2 older dogs. She eats like a champ, goes potty outside, happy and healthy! She loves to run and play and even just lay in the fenced in yard sunbathing. Loves toys and treats. Also loves her naps lol!” – Jennifer

Sugar Plum (now Holly) was brought to us as an owner surrender. She was pretty sad to be left behind but it didn’t take long to find her new amazing home!

“Sugar Plum was renamed Holly. She has been amazing. Everything is good so far! Toby is my only male cat. Based on the photo he is happy with his girl Holly.” – Rachel

Darla came to the shelter as a stray and she was so scared. She would sit in the back of her kennel shaking. However when it came time for playgroups she would get really excited to play with the other dogs. Slowly she started to trust us. Michelle was so sweet and offered to foster her over the Christmas holiday. Darla never came back, she found her home:

“Darla is doing marvelous.  She is eating well and really starting to open up.  She has already gotten established with my vet and received a clean bill of health.   We couldn’t be more pleased to have her as part of the family. She loves to play ball and has warmed up nicely to her little sisters.” – Michelle

Beetlejuice was a super social, sweet kitten that came to us as a stray. He took weeks to find a home which was baffling to all of us! This little guy would meow and reach out for attention!

“He’s doing amazing. My bull terrier and him get along great, and play well together, he actually hates when she is in the crate. We even took him on a road trip back to Baltimore and he did amazing. He’s definitely gotten more confident and playful. At night when I’m cooking he loves to run out of the dark and try to scare me before me begs to be picked up. Also carries his little toys around the entire house and will sometimes play fetch too. He’s eating well too, uses his litter box perfectly, picked up what he can and can’t scratch on very fast as well. He fits in perfectly and everyone loves him.” – Danny

There are many more wonderful dogs and cats at the shelter.  Come and adopt yours so you can tell us your adoption testimonial!

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

So, we waited and hoped for the right home — one willing to open their heart to not just one senior dog, but two.

Thanks to social media and more than one thousand shares, that home finally appeared.

After their adoption, we asked if they would be willing to share their experience. They sent us the following message:

“Sometimes life throws an unexpected curve and we definitely learned the meaning of that adage several weeks ago. While Doug had a chemo infusion, we met a wonderful dog parent, Beverly, and her therapy dog, PJ. We chatted casually and were asked what breed of dog we would select if we were going to adopt. Having been raised in a Doxie household, my response was immediate. A couple of weeks later, we received a text from Ms. Beverly along with adorable picture of two senior bonded dogs, who had a lifetime attachment, with a note that they could not be placed for adoption since nobody wanted two senior dogs. Our pastor’s recent sermon told us that while we may have a plan throughout life, God may have a different plan for us and we must be flexible. We decided to meet these two pups and arranged to go to the Aiken shelter. We were led to a small room to await visitation. Morgan, our Doxie, immediately ran to us, tail wagging, and kisses galore, while Bailey, who is anxious in new situations, paced and occasionally stopped for an ear scratch. Morgan adopted us immediately and within four days, so did Bailey. They are the sweetest pups and separating them would have been cruel. They are constant companions. Adopting seniors has been a remarkable experience. They know their names, understand our commands and required minimal training. They can now live out their lives in the comfort of our home with home-cooked meals and lots of love. In exchange, we have received companions and lots of love right back. We had never thought of adopting a pet, let alone two, but we have been blessed. They know it and so do we. Lennie and Doug”

Stories like this remind us how important it is to have a plan for pets in case of illness or emergencies. Asking a friend or family member to take our pets in case something happens.

We also often encourage older individuals to consider adopting older pets. It is usually a better match — puppies and kittens require so much training and energy, while senior pets are typically house-trained, socialized, and home ready.

Even the best plans don’t always work out. When they don’t, the Aiken County Animal Shelter staff and volunteers go into overdrive to make sure pets like Bailey and Morgan still get their happy ending.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator