Category Archives: Adoption

2020, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Can I Crash on Your Couch? Program, Doggie Day Out, Dogs, fostering, FOTAS, kennel stress, News

County Animal Shelter Dog Jay Shares His Adoption Story

Posted on by Bob Gordon
05
Feb

My name is Jay. I was recently adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter and have a story to tell.

I never wanted to end up at the shelter but, when it happened, I had no choice. The shelter isn’t such a bad place; it’s clean and healthy. I got food, shelter and medical care. The people were nice, too… but it still isn’t the same as being in a real home.

Jay in his shelter kennel before being adopted.

I was hoping for a short stay but became concerned when I saw other dogs getting adopted while I was still stuck in the shelter. I’m a good dog but have a big, wide head and was concerned that people who passed by my kennel weren’t giving me a second look.

I got stressed out as day after day passed and I was still stuck at the shelter. Even though volunteers came and walked us every day, I admit that I got anxious from being in my kennel and my behavior was starting to concern some people.

Just when I was feeling my lowest, this great guy named Kelly took me to his home for a weekend. It turns out he travels for his work during the week but takes a dog longing for companionship, like me, home for weekends. We took car rides, chilled out, watched TV and I got used to his comfortable couches. He told me I was becoming a couch potato, whatever that means.

Then it happened. A family came to the shelter looking to adopt a dog and they chose me! The staff called Kelly and he rushed to the shelter and met this family, the Martins, as they were filling out the adoption papers. He bragged about me to them and offered to drive me to their home and help me settle in with them to make sure everything was cool.

After Kelly left their home, the Martins called the shelter to tell them that they took me outside and I immediately did my business and then went into the house and hopped up on one of their comfortable couches. It took a few days for us to get to know each other but they are great owners (with great couches). I have everything I need.

Jay, aka Max, loves his new family and home.

They changed my name to Max and I kind of like it. I heard Mrs. Martin say that I keep them entertained and it was great to bring laughter back into their home. I am now definitely a part of their family.

I have Kelly to thank for my new, wonderful life and FOTAS is fortunate to have him as a volunteer.

I understand that after Kelly left the Martin home that first night, he went right back to the shelter. Why? To bring Gabriel home, Kelly’s next doggie overnight buddy.

Please consider volunteering like Kelly and participating in our “Can I Crash on Your Couch?” program. You can take home a shelter dog in need for a sleepover, giving him extra TLC and much-needed relaxation. The dog will be so grateful for a break from the daily stress of an institutional environment. Call (803) 514-4313 for more information.

— By Jay aka Max, Ex-shelter Dog

2020, adopter feedback, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, kittens, News

More than 3,000 Pets Adopted from ACAS in 2019

Posted on by Bob Gordon
29
Jan

The Aiken County Animal Shelter saved and adopted out 3,303 homeless pets in 2019. We thank our shelter staff, adopters, supporters, volunteers, fosters and donors for making this possible.

Abby and little Barkley cuddle

Here are some of the latest emails and notes we’ve received from people who have given homeless animals a second chance at a great life:

Abby and little Barkley are BFFs
Faith (who we renamed Abby) is doing wonderfully. She fits right in with our other dogs. Since day one, she and our little Barkley have been best friends. She eats well and plays all day with her toys. Any worries anyone had about her being a problem with other dogs or little kids is completely gone. She’s great with both. Whoever had Abby before us, treated her well and taught her how to behave. I’m sure they miss her, and I hate she’s no longer with them. But at the same time, our family loves her beyond any words.

Jarid Moon

Classic Tabby kittens Jasper and Casper

Dasher is a big cuddle bug
Dasher is doing great! He enjoys playing with my parents’ dog, Berkeley, and is typically well behaved. He loves going on long walks and being active, but is also a big cuddle bug! He’s definitely been a light in my life.

Eryn Cameron

Feline brothers complete their family
Casper and Jasper are happy and spoiled! I’m so glad we adopted them both and didn’t separate them! They get along beautifully with our dog, Hope. Our family has been completed. Thank you all for what y’all do!

Lynn Feltham

Dasher and his new mom

Kitten Burt is a life-changer
I love my Burt! He can be a challenge since he discovered leftover food goes in the trash. But my life is forever changed. I am 52 and Burt is my first pet! My son also has a cat, which was my inspiration. I tell everyone that Burt is my grandchild!

Janet Tate

Brandy has a new name and a great new life
Brandy is now Mamma Mia and doing well. She loves my other dog and they are always together. We are so grateful for her and believe that she is very happy now. I promise she will have a great life with us.

Brandy aka Mamma Mia

Kristin Pearce

— by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2019, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Dogs, FOTAS, Have a Heart, Save a Heart, Heartworms, News, Pibbles

No More Tears: Hamilton’s a Happy Dog and Facebook Star

Posted on by Bob Gordon
13
Jan

This is a story that began with a dog crying real tears when he was surrendered to the Aiken County Animal Shelter nearly a year ago.

FOTAS Programs Coordinator Kathy Jacobs described the dog, Hank, and his reaction to being separated from his owner in this weekly column space on Feb. 24, 2019.

Hamilton gets ready for a Georgia Bulldog football game on his birthday.

“I saw something that I had not witnessed before, something that I will never forget,” Jacobs wrote. “The black Lab had tears in his eyes, with some trickling down his face. His cheeks were puffing in and out and his breathing was rapid. It was like watching a child be taken from his parents. He was heartbroken.”

Meredith Anderson, a popular anchor and award-winning investigative reporter at WRDW News in Augusta, saw the column and photo of Hank on Facebook. She read how this poor, 2-year-old, 55-pound dog had been waiting for a new home for many weeks and was getting depressed from being passed over by potential adopters. The dog’s story touched her, so she drove to the ACAS to meet Hank on Feb. 25. Anderson was quickly smitten with Hank and took him home that afternoon. She already had a new name for this special dog: Hamilton.

“Hamilton was absolutely meant to be my family’s dog…no question,” Anderson said. “I love him so much. I am beyond happy he is part of our family.” While Hamilton is a charmer and an amazing dog, the Anderson family knew this sweet boy came with some challenges and responsibilities – all of which Meredith chronicles on her WRDW Channel 12 Facebook page.

Hamilton is “interviewed” about his DNA test.

“Hamilton initially took a lot of work, love, investment, and patience. All totally worth it…but I don’t want to give the impression this journey has been an easy one,” she said. “I just want to be a responsible dog owner…and I think part of that is making sure people know adopting a dog is a big decision that really does require a lot of thought.”

Since adding Hamilton to her family, Anderson has posted entertaining photos of him in various outfits, hats and glasses. Her latest post is a video of Hamilton vigorously shaking his favorite rope toy to the Outkast song, “Hey Ya!” She’s also celebrated Hamilton’s third birthday; revealed his DNA test results (mostly Staffordshire Terrier with some Beagle and other smaller breeds); and about a month ago announced he was heartworm-free.

WRDW Channel 12 News Anchor/Reporter Meredith Anderson and Hamilton

“Christmas came early this year,” she posted. “GREAT NEWS. Hamilton is officially heartworm negative!” FOTAS paid for and provided the treatment to cure Hamilton of this mosquito-borne infection, as it does for any heartworm positive dog at the ACAS through its “Have a Heart, Save a Heart” program.

“Last year, Hamilton was at the Aiken County Animal Shelter,” Anderson noted. “This Christmas, he posed with his presents. Turns out, he was just as much a gift to my family as we were to him.”

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

PETS OF THE WEEK

TURNER: Hound mix, male, 8 yo, black, 88 pounds – $35

SISSY: Domestic Shorthair, female, 4 mo, chocolate, 4 pounds – $10

2019, adopter feedback, Adoption, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, kittens, News

We Love a Happy Ending! Adopters Share Their Success Stories

Posted on by Bob Gordon
18
Dec

Thank you to everyone who has adopted pets from the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Here are some of the latest emails and notes we’ve received from folks who have given homeless animals a second chance at a great life:

Blake goes on nature walks with his new family.

I Have Found My Best Friend
We are absolutely thrilled to have Blake! He has been to work with me and been by my side since day one. He loves to play tug of war and I run him at Odell Weeks park to get his energy out. I have found my best friend. In fact, yesterday someone commented that I must have invested a lot of time and money into training him because he is so well-behaved at work on a construction site. I was lucky to find the perfect dog. The work y’all must have done with him really shows.

John Eubanks

Jellybean Is Part of Our Family
Liana, who we renamed Jellybean, is amazing with our daughters and seems to like the cat. She thinks she is a small dog and wants to climb in your lap for snuggles. If it gets cold and the girls are outside, she will insist on them going back inside. Jellybean likes bedtime because she gets to help tuck in her sisters. She is part of our family and we love her so much. Thank you for helping us find our perfect doggie.

Scott Farrar & Wendy Morgan

Super furry selfie: Jellybean and he new dad.

Rubble Is No Rabble-Rouser
Rubble is amazing!! We couldn’t have asked for a better match. He’s such a lover! Well-mannered in the house and the car, and is getting along great with his new sister, Sugar. Loves his bed and is also good in his crate.

Melissa Beck

Rubble give some love to his adopter.

Lebowski: A Big, Goofy Lapdog
Chazz is wonderful. He now goes by Lebowski (The Dude) and gets along great with his big sister, Bizkit. He fit in right away and listens well. He’s just a big goofy lapdog that we wouldn’t trade for anything.

David Webb

Kitten Parker Is Growing Up Quickly
Parker is doing great. He’s eating well – both dry and canned kitten food – and growing very fast. He’s playing with the other three cats and explores everything.

Ann Willbrand

KItten Parker makes himself at home.

Velcro Dog West Loves His Beagle Bro
West is sweet, well-behaved and doesn’t leave my side whenever I’m at the house. He also sleeps next to me when he doesn’t want to be in his crate. I love him to death, and he loves his Beagle brother, too.

Taylor Swan

– By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2019, Adoption, animal care education, Dogs, FOTAS, News, Proper Pet Care, Training

Bringing Your New Dog Home

Posted on by Bob Gordon
30
Nov

You did it! You made the decision to get a new dog, and you also decided to adopt your new dog at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Armed with scientifically proven suggestions about how to choose, you drove to shelter, walked through the kennels on the adoption floor, and promptly fell in love with the goofy-looking spotted mutt with the big ears in #12. You name him Wally (after your cousin, Wally, who also has big ears), pay your fees, and sign the papers. You and Wally jump in the car and head for home, sweet home.

Now what?

Mixed breed Martin gets a hug from his new sister before heading home.

“The very first thing you need to do,” says Susi Cohen, President of the Palmetto Dog Club and a FOTAS volunteer trainer, “is teach your dog to be a good family member. It’s likely Wally has never had any basic obedience training (many shelter dogs haven’t), but if you invest some time into teaching him basic commands (sit, stay, wait, heel, and down), the rules of the house, and developing a schedule for sleeping, eating, play time, and exercise, the payoff will be huge.”

Like any relationship, it takes time for you and your dog to get to know each other—figure each other out. Like people, dogs are a product of their breeding and their environment, with their own personality, likes and dislikes, fears and preferences. But unlike (most) people, dogs are the most adaptable (and forgiving) animals on earth.

“It’s all about helping Wally make the transition,” says Karen DeCamp, also a FOTAS volunteer trainer. “In addition to the loss or abandonment associated with ending up in the shelter, life in the shelter can be stressful. Going to another new place may be confusing at first, but dogs, particularly shelter dogs, want to please you. All it takes is a little love and patience.”

This initial energy and focus pays off in spades. It’s exciting, too—you are creating a bond with your new pal, and FOTAS is here to help with that, too. Both Cohen and DeCamp provide adopters with a free obedience lesson at home. They will help you come up with a personalized game plan to make sure you and your dog enjoy a lifetime of joy and companionship.

Mary Scott Valentine and Taylor Swan love their new dog, who they adopted from the County Animal Shelter and renamed Jerry Garcia.

It’s been two weeks since Wally joined your family, and you’ve spent a lot of time together. He adores your toddler and is terrified of your cat. He flings his squeak toys around with wild abandon. He’s wary of strangers at first and loves to play with other dogs. When he’s not cleaning up the crumbs under the baby’s highchair, he trails your wife around the house like a wake. He never tires of a car ride, looks forward to his walks, and snores when he sleeps. He’s so fast, squirrels tremble at the very sight of him. He’s learned to sit, does his business outside (you’ve been consistent with his routine), and comes when you call him—most of the time. He loves nothing more than to curl up on the couch with his head on your leg.

He is, quite simply, the best dog ever. Even your cousin Wally thinks so.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

BY THE NUMBERS
According to the Humane Society of the United States, 71 percent of domestic violence victims report that their abuser also targeted pets..

PETS OF THE WEEK

INDIA
Mixed breed, female, 1 year old, brindle & white, 45 pounds – $35

RAVEN
Domestic Shorthair, female, 3 years old, 10 pounds – $10                               

2019, Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, News, SELECTING A PET, Uncategorized

Adopting a New Canine Family Member

Posted on by Bob Gordon
20
Nov

You’ve made the decision: you’re ready to bring a new dog into your life. Since you are reading this column, I’m guessing you’ve also decided to rescue your new pal from a shelter—maybe because your heart goes out to the thousands of homeless dogs who need and deserve a loving family, or maybe because you know, either from experience or through the experience of others, that shelter dogs are overwhelmingly grateful for a second chance and they express that gratitude through devotion and unconditional love.

I salute you for your wisdom and your humanity. Quite simply, you rock!

ALEK is 2 years old but acts like a puppy.

So, you hop into your car and head over to the Aiken County Animal Shelter, and there you find dogs of every color and shape, age, and gender. Some dogs bounce around their kennels, some bark, some cower in the corner, and then there’s that goofy-looking spotted mutt in Kennel 12 calmly assessing every passerby with a look that says, Are you the one?

Overwhelming, right? Here’s the good news: county adoption staff and FOTAS volunteers are there to help you choose. There are a number of factors to consider.

Do you live alone or with a family? Do you have small children? Are there other dogs in your home? Cats? Do you work all day? Do you have an outdoor area for your dog to run and play? Is your idea of heaven a hike through the Hitchcock Woods or a night on the couch watching Law and Order reruns? Do you prefer small dogs or large dogs?

Of course, there are no hard and fast rules, but there are some guidelines that may help. For example, if you live alone and work all day, you might want to adopt a mature, even a senior dog, who is happy keeping your place on the couch warm until you return. If you have small children, you might consider a calm, gentle dog that won’t accidently knock your toddler over in an exuberant burst of affection.

ANGEL gets along with most other dogs.

If you’re an active person who spends lots of time outdoors, then a younger, energetic dog would make a great companion. On the other hand, if your idea of rigorous activity is gardening, you might look for a companion that is happy to stroll around the yard with you and watch for squirrels while you weed.

Do you have another dog? Is that dog sociable with other dogs, indifferent, or dog aggressive? Do you need a dog that likes, or at least, tolerates cats?

You get the picture. Shelter staff and FOTAS volunteers will explore all these issues with you to help you make the right choice for your life and circumstances. Why? Because a wrong choice only increases the chance that the dog you select might end up in the shelter . . . again.

INDIA loves people and even tolerates cats!

But here’s the thing: despite our best efforts to help you make rational choices, the heart isn’t always an obedient servant. Maybe you’ll walk through the kennels and lock eyes with that goofy-looking spotted mutt in Kennel 12 and inexplicably, somewhere deep in your soul, desire sparks love and your spirit responds to Are you the one? with Yes! I am the one.

You know what? That’s okay, too. We’re suckers for a good love story.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

BY THE NUMBERS

From Nov. 1 to 15, the Aiken County Animal Shelter received 182 strays and surrendered pets – an average of 12 animals per day. Please spay/neuter your pets!

PETS OF THE WEEK

JAY
Mixed breed, male, 5 years old, brindle & white, 67 pounds – $35

DINA
Domestic Shorthair kitten, female, 2 months old, Calico, 2 pounds – $10

2019, adopter feedback, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Chained dogs, Dogs, FOTAS, News, Pibbles

The Dog I Didn’t Want Might Just Be My Favorite

Posted on by Bob Gordon
11
Nov

The oldest of our three dogs, Yoda, died in August from cancer. My wife, Jennifer, wanted to honor Yoda’s memory by adopting another dog from the shelter. I was against the idea. Our other two dogs (Beethoven and Buster) are great dogs, best buddies with established routines, and our pet ownership experience was on autopilot. Why rock the boat?

MEADOW lived on a chain and was neglected before joining the Miller household.

We own a horse farm and allow our dogs to roam free. The dogs are well trained to stay within the boundaries of our property. A new dog would mean training those boundaries all over again, training it to be compatible with the horses, and introducing it to Beethoven and Buster—who I feared, even though they are the sweetest dogs, could develop a pack mentality and give a new dog problems.

I gave Jennifer all the excuses I could to avoid adopting another dog. She wasn’t buying it. Not only was she insistent that she wanted to adopt another dog, she wanted to adopt one that had been on the adoption floor the longest. Great! I was losing the battle.

Then one afternoon, Jennifer informed me she had found that dog and wanted me to go to the shelter to meet her. Her? A female dog? With our two boys? “Meadow,” said Jennifer. “She’s everyone’s favorite dog at the shelter.” Yeah, right.

Off we went to the shelter, and I met Meadow, a six-year-old, white pit bull mix, who was heartworm positive. She had lived outside on a chain most of her life and was obviously overbred as evidenced by the six hanging nipples. Housebroken? Working on it. Basic obedience? A work in progress.

Bruno gives his new sister, MEADOW, her daily grooming — these two instantly bonded.

Jennifer had found her perfect unwanted dog.

I relented and we took Meadow home. The introduction to the other two dogs was okay; they didn’t kill her. The next day, Susie Cohen, shelter dog trainer extraordinaire, came to our home to assess the situation. When our alpha dog, Beethoven, raised his hackles, Susie was worried. But both Buster and Beethoven began to accept her, and we breathed a sigh of relief.

Next, we took Meadow to the barn on a leash to test her reaction to horses. We introduced her to our horse, Bruno, and Meadow sat down in front of him, intensely curious. Then the most amazing thing happened. Bruno bowed his head, sniffed her, and began to lick her all over, the way horses groom each other. Meadow sat still and savored his affection. It was precious. They were in love!

MEADOW (center) gets cozy on the bed with her new canine siblings, Buster and Beethoven.

Soon, Meadow fit right in with our family. She is the boss of the boys and we don’t need to leash her anymore. Her manners and her housebreaking continue to improve, and she has discovered our soft, cushy furniture – plus she sleeps in our bed with Beethoven and Buster. She also is a great athlete, as evidenced by the time she jumped on the counter, grabbed a plateful of people cookies, and threw it to the floor. All three dogs wolfed down ten cookies before we could intervene. Every day she becomes a happier, more well-adjusted dog.

Don’t tell Beethoven and Buster, but I think Meadow is now my favorite. Go figure.

— By Peter Miller, FOTAS Volunteer

BY THE NUMBERS
Monday, November 11 is Veterans Day. FOTAS sponsors (pays for) Aiken County Animal Shelter adoptions year-round for U.S. veterans and active military personnel.

PETS OF THE WEEK

SYDNI
Lab mix, female, 3 years old, black w/white, 65 pounds – $35

SIMBA
Domestic Shorthair kitten, male, 2 months old, bronze Tabby, 2 pounds – $10

2019, adopter feedback, Adoption, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, kittens, News

Adopters Report Back with Stories about Their County Shelter Pets

Posted on by Bob Gordon
28
Oct

FOTAS volunteers and the shelter staff contact new pet owners within a week to 10 days of their adoption to see how they are doing Following up with new adopters not only helps ensure they are satisfied with their pets, but also provides us with great stories and feedback that can help with future adoptions. The best feedback includes photos of the shelter pets loving life in their new homes.

Pit Bull mix Hector loves his new family and watches over the little ones.

Here are examples of emails and notes we’ve received from recent adopters (some have been edited for space):

Hector watches over new baby girl
I’m happy to report that Hector has adjusted very well to life in the Frank household. He has been eating just fine and quickly adapted to his routine here. We just had our fourth child last week and one of Hector’s favorite things to do is lay beside her swing and bed to watch over her. He is very protective over the little ones. We appreciate the opportunity to have him in our lives.

Murray Frank

Kittens Cheddar and Kady enjoy cuddle time at their new home
Cheddar and Kady are doing great. They are eating well, and both have become part of our family. They enjoy playing together and cherish all their cat toys and other treats. Kady has an attachment to her favorite blanket and both enjoy cuddle time.

Brittany Hiers

Kitten Cheddar: If I fits, I sits!

Senior Beagle Aimee is filling out and gaining confidence
Aimee is amazing! We changed her name to Sadie, and she is the absolute sweetest. She loves going on walks, wants to meet all the neighbors and her two favorite things are jerky treats and car rides. She’s filled out like the vet wanted and has gained the confidence to get on the couch whenever she wants! We were just talking about taking her on a trip to the mountains this fall so she can smell all the trails. Thank you for taking care of her until we found her!

Kelli Prather

Pibble Haylee eats side by side with her new brother
Haylee is doing very well. She is still learning which are her toys and which are ours, but catching on very quickly. She is loving her new brother, Dudley. They eat side by side and he is slower than her, but she will wait until he is finished to make sure he cleaned his bowl. They have become fast friends!

Will Clark

Adopted Haylee (left) and Dudley have become fast friends.

Bo wins his family’s heart and takes over their bed
Bo is doing amazing …we changed his name to Buddy and he truly is my buddy as well as a big part of our family. We love him very much and he shows us lots of love in return. He’s also taken over our bed during the day.

Niccole Reidhead

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2019, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Dogs, FOTAS, kennel stress, News, Pibbles

The Power of Social Media Saves Sweet Tiffany

Posted on by Bob Gordon
18
Oct

Adoptions have been slow. Kids are back in school, families are busy with activities and people just aren’t coming out to adopt. This is disheartening for the many adoptable dogs and cats at the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

Tiffany in the County Shelter play yard.

Recently, our sweet Tiffany was shutting down and losing hope. When people look to adopt, they want the pet to look at them and get excited. They want to feel an instant connection. But when we showed Tiffany to potential adopters, she no longer wagged her tail or carried one of her toys to show off. Instead, this brindle and white mixed breed now ignored people or ran to the corner of the play yard to hide. After waiting more than two months on the adoption floor, she no longer believed anyone would actually take her home.

Desperate to help Tiffany, we posted a video on our FOTAS Facebook page of her sitting in her kennel. It captured her depression, showing how she sulked and avoided eye contact.

Within hours of posting it on Facebook, people responded – more than 900 shares of her video! People were calling from Wisconsin wanting us to send her to them. Our amazing social media community started calling and coming to visit her! We showed her to multiple people, and then she found her match: a fabulous Aiken resident, Tina Watson, who fell in love with Tiffany and gave her a forever home.

Tiffany goes home with her adopter, Tina Watson. She saw a video of the depressed dog on Facebook and fell in love.

What still gives me goosebumps as I write this, is the number of people that cared about this dog from just seeing 20 seconds of video. In that brief clip, they could see and feel her loneliness.

What I hope people remember is that Tiffany is not alone. While we do everything to make their time at the shelter a happy and loving experience, at the end of the day these homeless pets are in a kennel. They are not at home.

Tiffany was lucky because people online responded to her sadness. But there will always be others having difficulty living in a shelter environment. There’s Chloe, a 6-year-old sweetheart who pines in her kennel. There’s Porter, a young mixed breed, who jumps in his kennel because he is stressed. And then there’s Sydni, a beautiful female Lab mix who is getting depressed from waiting so long for someone to adopt her.

Poor Chloe has been at the shelter for too long!

We will continue to reach out to our Facebook friends – they always seem to come through. But if you have room in your heart and in your home, please come to the County shelter, located at 333 Wire Road in Aiken, and ask the staff who really needs saving, is shut down and feeling hopeless. That dog or cat will fill your heart in a way that is indescribable.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Program Director

BY THE NUMBERS

In the first 10 days of October, The Aiken County Animal Shelter took in 172 strays and surrendered pets – an average of 17 animals per day. Please spay/neuter your pets!

2019, Adoption, Chained dogs, Dogs, FOTAS, Home-to-Home adoption program, News, surrendered pets

Home to Home Program Successful, 100 Plus Pets Already Adopted

Posted on by Bob Gordon
07
Oct

In the seven months since FOTAS started our Home to Home Program, we have found homes for more than 110 animals.

That is 110 dogs and cats that did not come through the Aiken County Animal Shelter’s doors. That’s 110 animals who went from a loving home that could no longer provide for them or keep them, to a loving home that could. Had those animals come to the Shelter instead, they would have suffered a much different experience.

The Home to Home program is a new adoption option that also helps animals avoid the fear and stress of facing a shelter environment.

Odds are they would have ultimately found another loving home, because our save rate is now consistently over 90 percent, but before that happened, they would have been kept in an unfamiliar cage, frightened by other barking and noisy animals. Chances are they would have cowered when potential adopters came by. They may have greeted them, or they may have refused to come forward and reduced their own chances of adoption. The shelter volunteers would come every day to walk dogs and play with cats, and some lucky few will spend time in a foster home, but as they say there’s nothing like home – your own home.

Home to Home is free to use, free to adopt and we’ve had some wonderful success stories. One such story featured Dirty, a poor German shorthair chained to a tree and abandoned when her owner moved away. Rescued by some kind neighbors, Dirty found a wonderful new home two hours after being posted on FOTAS’ Facebook page and on the Home to Home site. Her horrible plight touched a kind woman’s soul. Pictures the next day showed Dirty living the life she should have always had, stretched out on a porch and asleep on a couch. Hopefully, soon her previous circumstances will be like a bad dream.


Dirty, a dog chained to a tree and rescued by good Samaritans, found a forever home within hours of being posted on the FOTAS Facebook page and Home to Home website.

Owners may be forced to give up their pet due to a move, facing a severe illness, or a death in the family. There have been owners that ultimately decide their family may not be the right home for their pet because they don’t have the time to spend with them that the animal deserves.

A month after posting the animal, I follow up with the owners to see if they’ve found a new home and those that have not are re-posted. Sometimes the second time is truly the charm and someone new sees the post and responds.

Not all animals are adopted and some ultimately end up being surrendered to the shelter. However, every animal kept out of the shelter is not only saved from that stressful situation, but also frees up space for a stray or abused animal without another choice.

Dirty relaxes in her new forever home.

There are many reasons a family may choose to give up an animal, but most who ultimately want the best for their pets find the Home to Home program a welcome relief. I’ve had some heartwarming thank you notes from owners so happy to see their pet go to a home more suited for their needs. To see available pets for adoption, please go to fotas.home-home.org.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Ellen Priest, FOTAS Board Member and Home to Home Coordinator