Category Archives: Adoption

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

2019, Adoption, Cats, Dogs, Events, FOTAS, injured animals, kittens, News

Clear the Shelter Event Results in Heartwarming Adoptions

Posted on by Bob Gordon
26
Aug

Last Saturday’s Clear the Shelter event at the Aiken County Animal Shelter was a success, with 40 unwanted pets finding loving homes in four hours.

Part of an annual national effort, the shelter’s standard adoption fees were waived on this day to encourage folks to visit the animals and give them homes, thereby “clearing the shelter” to make room for — and save the lives of — more homeless animals.

Adopted blind cat DREW sits on the lap of his new owner, Kathy Brewer.

Last month, the ACAS received 533 stray animals and surrendered pets, so the timing of this event was ideal. We needed to find these animals homes and the community rallied and responded.

“I had been looking for a cat for my family for a while, and when we saw Drew, we knew it was just meant to be,” said Erica Brewer. Erica’s mom, Kathy, recently had a stroke that severely impaired her vision – so when Erica saw the blind cat, she knew he was the right choice for them. Erica’s wife, Jessica, and their two daughters, Makayla and Makenzie, held and petted Drew while the adoption process was completed.

“Drew adjusted to his new home right away,” Erica said. It’s like he’s been living there for years. Everybody loves and spoils him rotten. There’s just something about him – he’s a special cat.”

Deke meets his new human brother.

While Drew was being put in his carrier to go home on Saturday, a kitten name Juliet was selected for adoption by Samantha Maynard. Carrying her 7-month-old son, John Keith, in her arms, she said, “I saw the shelter was having this event, so we drove out here to find him a pet. Everybody has been helpful and friendly. It’s been a great experience.”

Meanwhile, three senior dogs, a senior cat and 13 heartworm positive dogs were also adopted on this day, including black Lab mix Deke, who bonded with an autistic boy looking for a support animal. Thanks to your donations to FOTAS and its “Have a Heart, Save a Heart” program, all of the heartworm positive dogs at the shelter go home with medicine to treat and cure their condition. Thank you so much for coming out and adopting these animals in need.

Kitten JULIET gets adopted by Samantha Maynard during Clear the Shelter Day, Aug. 17.

While the shelter continues to be overwhelmed with more strays and unwanted pets received each day, your help and participation make such a difference! If you are looking to adopt, foster or volunteer, please come to the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 333 Wire Road. Or contact FOTAS at (803) 514-4313 or info@fotasaiken.org.

Their lives are in our hands.

–By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

BY THE NUMBERS
Nationwide, the Clear the Shelters 2019 campaign, resulted in the adoption of more than 147,000 pets from nearly 2,000 participating shelters. Since it began in 2015, the Clear the Shelters initiative has resulted in nearly 400,000 pets finding their forever homes.

PETS OF THE WEEK

PRISCILLA
Mixed breed, female, 2 years old, 36 pounds – $35

KAI
Domestic Shorthair, male, 3 months old, Tabby, 2 pounds – $10

2019, adopter feedback, Adoption, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, Home-to-Home adoption program, kittens, News, Pibbles

Follow-Ups Help Ensure Adopters and Their Pets Are Content

Posted on by Bob Gordon
13
Aug

When you adopt a homeless pet from the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) and walk out the door with your new furry companion, we don’t just file your paperwork, wave good-bye and wish you good luck. We make sure you and your pet are happy and doing well.

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. Is the dog or cat adapting well to his new environment? Is he eating okay? Playing well with others? Adopters also get a chance to share any concerns or questions they have about their new pet.

Kitten Kevin resting in his new home.

Following up with new adopters not only helps ensure they are satisfied with their pets, but also provides us with great stories and information that could help us in future adoptions. The best feedback includes photos of the shelter pets loving life in their new homes.

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

NORA IS ADJUSTING WELL
Nora is doing great! We think she likely had a rough life before the shelter and being adopted. She was extremely terrified of everything. My husband and I could not move without her flinching. She’s been to see our vet now and has gotten some meds and some pointers on how to help her feel more comfortable. It’s working! She’s opening up and becoming so playful and loving. She has such a happy and funny personality. We adore Nora and are so happy to call her ours!

Cassandra Newcomb

COUNTY SHELTER IS THE BEST
Thank y’all for all that y’all do for the fur babies waiting for forever homes. I wish we could have adopted more than just Reuben. Unfortunately, we have a small home and couldn’t accommodate more than the two we now have. I have been raving about y’all to friends and co-workers, for when they are ready to adopt. Your facility is so clean, everyone is so nice, and I feel like the adoption went smoothly and very securely. I am impressed by the background checks done for all adopters and the professionalism displayed was exceptional. Pat yourselves on the back. You all deserve it!

Amiee N. Hinton

Catherine Will with pretty Roo Roo.

BLESSED TO HAVE ROO ROO IN OUR FAMILY
Roo Roo is doing great! She is an absolute angel. We love her so much! She gets along with everyone, including our cat. We are blessed to welcome Roo into our family.

Catherine Will

BROOKE IS FITTING RIGHT IN
Puppy Brooke is fitting right in with the family! She is growing like a weed and doing well with house training. We absolutely love her!

Linda Duffy

KEVIN IS ALMOST PERFECT
Kevin has been loving his new forever home. He’s a very affectionate and playful kitten. He’s been eating well and growing so fast! My fiancé and I love him so much! We are very glad we adopted him. Other than being rambunctious and a little mischievous sometimes, he’s absolutely perfect!

Marilyn Hall

Beagle Nora stretches out at her forever home.

HOME TO HOME IS A GREAT SERVICE
The new adopter came and met my dog, Midi, and decided to take her home. Home to Home is a great service. Thank you so much! (FOTAS’s Home to Home Program helps pets move directly from one home to another.)

Julie Bean

JOSIE IS BEING SPOILED
Josie is doing great! She’s spoiled and her personality shines more every day. She has started to play with her toys and understands that they are hers and nobody is going to take them. She’s eating well, starting to gain a little healthy weight. She goes everywhere with us and even has her own Instagram account, josietherescueshepherd.

Mary Hanna

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2019, Adoption, Cats, FOTAS, injured animals, kittens, neglected pets, News

Mama Jeanne: Suffering and Sacrifice Lead to Cat’s Adoption

Posted on by Bob Gordon
28
Jul

She arrived during the shelter’s cruelest season, a cat whose story of suffering and sacrifice made us all stop just to take it in. Because of all we don’t know about the cat now called Mama Jeanne, what we do know says it all.

She gave birth to four kittens as a starving stray, then got hit by a car when she left them to find food. With a crushed right leg and a broken left hip, she dragged herself back to her babies and kept nursing them anyhow. Animal Control officers found her days later and brought the little family into the Aiken County Animal Shelter. It would be their home for weeks.

Mama Jeanne could barely stand when she arrived, but pushed through excruciating pain to keep being a mom. Amazingly, her hip healed while she nursed. Her kittens grew healthy and were adopted. But Mama Jeanne’s crushed leg did not respond to treatment and had to be amputated. So, as a newly three-legged adult cat with no pedigree and little promise, she was left to compete for a home in a shelter so crowded it’ll take in 1,500 animals May through July. The shelter’s vet, Dr. Lisa Levy, was worried about Mama Jeanne’s chances and asked me to post her plight on social media.

Young cat Mama Jeanne was badly injured when a car hit her — but she kept caring for her kittens.

Meanwhile, Irene Marie Ortega was working nights as a nurse at the burn center in Augusta, GA. For several months, she spent time between shifts scrolling through websites of shelters as far away as New York looking for the right cat.

“They were cute, but I didn’t feel a connection.” Then, on July 10, she saw Mama Jeanne’s post on Facebook. “I was so touched with her story. After just one reading, I was sure she was The One.” She traded shifts with another nurse to adopt Mama Jeanne that day.

Three-legged cat Mama Jeanne with her new “mom,” Irene Marie Ortega.

Because, in many ways, Mama Jeanne’s story is hers too.

Ortega’s three children were tiny when she became a single mom. A native of the Philippines living in Chicago, she had to find the courage and persistence to make a new life. She moved to the Atlanta area and then Augusta, where she worked nights in nursing homes, spent days in nursing school, and in-between gave it all to care for her children.

“No matter how hard the struggles were, I endured everything just to give the best to my kids,” says Ortega, whose children are now grown and pursuing their own careers in nursing and medicine. “I felt the pains of Mama Jeanne. I’m a single mom, too. I want to give her the life she deserves after all she went through.”

Mama Jeanne was adopted not despite her broken story, but because of it. Social media can be a lifeline for animals otherwise lost in the crowd of overflowing kennels. Like it was for the mama cat who gave her all.

“We love Mama Jeanne so much. She’s safe now,” Ortega says.

Their lives are in our hands.

– By Martha Anne Tudor

BY THE NUMBERS

From May 1 to July 27, the County Animal Shelter received more than 1,500 strays and surrendered pets.

PETS OF THE WEEK

HECTOR

Mixed breed, male, 2 years old, 55 pounds – $35

RODRIGO

Domestic Shorthair Tuxedo, male, 2 months old, 1.5 pounds – $10

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

Amazing Dogs Struggle to Find Homes Due to Kennel Stress

Posted on by Bob Gordon
22
Jul

Last week I walked over to see the new dogs on the shelter’s intake wing. When I see the dog in kennel 8, my heart breaks. He is so scared. He is a larger dog, white with a gorgeous brown spot on his eye. He can’t make eye contact with me; he just turns and tries to hide.

RAMSAY is having a tough time adjusting to life in the County Animal Shelter.

The fans are blowing – cooling the kennels – and he is clearly unsure of the noise. He has a ring around his neck where the long chain was taken off of him. He was dragging it along the ground when found lost and confused by a shelter volunteer. I step into the kennel and he jumps back. When I sit down, he tries to bury his head between my back and the wall. Each sound frightens him. He looks around nervously trying to figure out what is happening. I decide he needs some time, so I lie down with him in the kennel and he finally closes his eyes. I am now invested and must find a way to help this poor boy.

Imagine you live all your life outside on a chain and now you are confined. It has to be a struggle. Over the next couple of days, he gains confidence with each leash walk but frantically digs at the concrete floor when put back into his kennel. A large, donated Nylabone helps him calm down. The right toys can be hugely comforting.

Now on adoption and named Ramsay, he is being overlooked because he is so uncomfortable in the kennel space. If adopters could only take him out and see how incredibly sweet he is! He’ll melt against your leg just wanting to be loved.

LUKE is such a sweet dog away from the shelter.

Fosters Yvonne and Colin Brookes have been working with a dog similar to Ramsay, a beautiful boy named Luke. Luke struggled in the kennels, so the couple started taking him to the park. They noticed that he relaxed as soon as he left the shelter but needed some training as no one had ever had him on a leash or taught him any obedience.

He has been in foster with them for weeks and now knows so much! Great with other dogs, he is crate trained and loves to go to Dunkin’ Donuts and sit on the bench. Colin rides his bicycle and Luke trots right next to him; it’s his favorite exercise.

When Luke comes back to the shelter for adoption opportunities, he reverts back to his old behaviors. He starts jumping, barking and chewing at the leash as soon as he gets out of the car. It is so painful for Yvonne and Colin to see the dog they know is so great away from the shelter turn into a completely different creature when he hears the barking of the other homeless dogs. He is almost frantic.

LUKE enjoys going to the park with FOTAS foster volunteer Colin Brookes.

There are so many amazing dogs that struggle to find homes due to kennel stress. If we could only encourage adopters to look at the dog outside of the kennel and not judge them by their behavior while in confinement. Trust me, we would not be ourselves if we were in that position.

Please spread the word about these amazing dogs and take a chance on the underdog. You will find that no pet ever loved you as much as they do.

Their lives are in our hands.

— by Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Program Director